Programme fuses Emirati heritage with Italian design innovation
The Design Council Abu Dhabi (DCAD) has announced the launch of its second residency cycle – the DCAD Pottery & Ceramics Design Residency Program – bringing together heritage-driven product design and international creative exchange.
Produced by Gushcloud International in partnership with Italian porcelain house Ginori 1735, the six-month programme will take place at MAKE, Abu Dhabi’s creative workshop hub.
The residency will welcome 10–15 UAE nationals and residents specialising in ceramics or pottery, offering training in both traditional and contemporary design techniques and participants will also take part in masterclasses.
The initiative will culminate in a public Capstone Exhibition in 2026, with select residents earning internships at Ginori’s Florence headquarters.
Under the chairwomanship of Her Highness Shaikha Shamsa Bint Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, DCAD continues to strengthen the UAE’s creative economy and position Abu Dhabi as a global centre for cross-cultural design dialogue.
Applications are now open at www.dcad.ae.