Curatorial Committee
Behind every workshop, exhibition, and creative activation at MNWR stands our Curatorial Committee – a group of passionate professionals who live and breathe Saudi Arabia's cultural scene. They are active makers, thinkers, and collaborators who bring their real-world experience to the table.
Culinary Arts
Basma ElKhereiji
The chef-entrepreneur builds communities through food. From The Social Kitchen to directing Jeddah Season's culinary programs, Basma's 15-year journey proves Saudi cuisine thrives when tradition meets innovation. Her secret ingredient? Treating every restaurant as a stage where local flavors tell unforgettable stories.
Design
Nada Hakeem
Co-founder and CEO of Wetheloft, Nada turns curiosity into creative strategy. For 11 years, she's grown this Saudi agency into a hub for brands that value human-centered design as much as business results. Whether leading creative teams or consulting with clients, she champions management that celebrates individuality - blending organizational psychology with what she calls "humanized leadership." To Nada, the most compelling brands start by understanding why people connect, not just what sells.
Music
Saud AlTurki
As founder of Brij Entertainment, Saud composes cultural bridges through music. Since 2017, his label has been the launchpad for Saudi sounds - discovering talent, fusing genres, and staging concerts that turn regional traditions into global conversations. For Saud, every artist signed is another opportunity to rewrite perceptions of Middle Eastern music.
Filmmaking
Wael Abu Mansour
This Jeddah-based storyteller wears two hats: journalist and filmmaker. After 15 years documenting stories for major Arab newspapers, Wael now directs films exploring identity through intimate lenses - from a documentary about Mecca's lantern-makers to an upcoming feature, Carnival City. His work lives where reporting meets poetry.
Literature
Layan Abdul shakoor
As Mauzoun's founder, Layan treats words like precious materials - crafting bespoke Arabic content that ranges from novels to art books. Her Jeddah-based studio has become a magnet for cultural projects, collaborating with everyone from emerging writers to the Ministry of Culture. What excites her most? Building the Arab world's most trusted creative partner for premium publishing.
Fashion
Nasiba Hafiz
Nasiba designs for women who wear their audacity. Since 2012, her Jeddah label has transformed vintage inspiration - Egyptian cinema, 70s disco - into limited-run pieces that command attention. Each collection celebrates the bold spirit she first honed at London College of Fashion.
Architecture
Abdelrahman Elshahed
A calligrapher who thinks in three dimensions. Certified at Mecca's Holy Mosque and trained as an architect, Abdelrahman makes spiritual geometry visible - whether through his contemporary artworks, university lectures, or curating the Ministry of Culture's Year of Arabic Calligraphy. His practice asks how ancient script can speak to modern audiences about timeless human values.
Visual Art
Qaswara Hafez
Art runs in Qaswara's veins. From his early days in publishing to founding Hafez Gallery, he's spent 25 years connecting Saudi artists with global audiences. Part collector, part curator, he transformed his passion for acquiring artworks into a Jeddah space that nurtures emerging talent while honoring established masters. For Qaswara, every exhibition is about starting conversations.