Sumantro Ghose

Sumantro Ghose is the Artistic Programming Director at The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).1 In this role, which he has held since August 2021, he conceives, curates, and delivers exhibitions, performances, and community engagement programs for planned cultural assets, including Wadi AlFann, the contemporary art museum, and the AlJadidah Arts District.1 He also oversees the creative development of the annual AlUla Arts Festival and the public programming for the biennial Desert X AlUla.1 Ghose describes AlUla as an emerging global arts hub for the 21st century, with evidence of human creativity stretching back over 100,000 years.1

Ghose's previous roles include:

• Artistic Director at Noor Riyadh (November 2019 - July 2021)1
• Program Director at the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi (January 2019 - November 2019), where he oversaw Abu Dhabi Art, Abu Dhabi Music, and the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi 20191
• Managing Director for the London Design Biennale (December 2017 - December 2018)1
• Museum Expert/Senior Advisor at Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (March 2016 - June 2017)1
• Deputy Director, Cultural Diplomacy Programmes at Qatar Museums Authority (July 2013 - February 2016)1
• Chief Executive Officer/Director of Cultural Programmes at Asia House (January 2009 - July 2013)1
• Public Programmes Manager at the National Portrait Gallery (September 2006 - December 2008)1

Ghose has a Master’s Degree in History of Art from The Courtauld Institute of Art.1 He is proficient in English, French, and German, and has elementary proficiency in Arabic, Spanish, and Italian.1