With a remarkable 25-year journey spanning the worlds of design, digital art, and creative leadership, Clare Napper has left an indelible mark on the region’s creative landscape. Formerly the Head of Design at Saatchi & Saatchi ME, Clare has spent the last decade steering her independent art retail brand, ‘Highlife Posters.’ Recognised for her contribution to the arts with Dubai’s prestigious Golden Visa in 2019, Clare also shares her expertise as a part-time graphic design lecturer at Middlesex University. Her deep passion for knowledge-sharing and community building has driven her to bridge the gap between agency life and independent practice. Spotting the need for a dedicated social space for creative freelancers in Dubai, Clare founded Karama Arts Club—a venture dedicated to cultivating a sense of belonging among grassroots creatives. Below, she shares her insights with Art&Gulf Magazine.
1. Origin Story:
Karama Arts Club stands out as a unique haven for independent creatives in Dubai. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind founding the club and what gap you saw in the creative community that you wanted to fill?
The idea came from a really simple but constant frustration: being a freelancer in Dubai often feels isolating. The city is bursting with brilliant creative minds – artists, filmmakers, musicians, designers – but if you’re not part of a company or agency, there’s no obvious way to regularly cross paths. There’s also this awkward middle space where you’re not quite “emerging,” but you’re not part of the polished gallery or institutional scene either.
I’d spent years in agencies, but then came ten years of working alone at home – and I really missed the social side of agency life. Many of my friends are independent muralists, musicians or writers, and I kept wishing we had our own affordable members club. After visiting The Arts Club and the Soho Houses in London, I thought – why don’t we have more members clubs here? A more curated crowd, somewhere to socialise regularly. But I wanted to create it in a way that was genuinely accessible and that doesn’t cost the earth for Dubai’s independent creative scene. A part time non-profit venture seemed like a good way to go about it.
2. Building Community:
The club’s sense of inclusivity and warmth is clearly a priority. How did you go about cultivating this low-key, welcoming atmosphere, and what challenges did you face in making everyone feel at home?
Honestly, I started this on a bit of a whim – no big plan, just a gut feeling that we needed more nights like this. It grew slowly at first, but pretty quickly it became clear there was a real appetite for it. Now we’ve got a growing crew of regulars, loads of people come solo, and it’s turned into one of those nights where no one’s in a rush to leave. It doesn’t feel like ‘networking’ – it’s just relaxed, real, and genuinely enjoyable.
Guests get a sticker on arrival – which sounds a bit naff – but they’re actually a great icebreaker. They show what field you’re in and make it easier to start chatting. I hadn’t even thought about being the host initially, but it was clear from the start that I’d have to step into the role whether I liked it or not!
What sets it apart is the atmosphere, designed specifically for socialising. I try to create a proper club room feel – low music, soft lighting (but not too dark), and loads of standing tables so people can easily chat. It’s not a cringey business-card-swapping event, but more of a “let’s have a decent night out and some good conversations” kind of vibe.
I wanted it to be a non-profit part time addition to Dubai’s creative scene because we all have day jobs and I didn’t want the pressure of having to create a slick shiny brand. Just a bunch of grassroots creatives in a room, sharing ideas, stories, and talking honestly about the industry behind closed doors. As creatives, we have a great music scene to socialise in, but often it’s not geared up for conversation.
The real strength is the people. Some come on their own and might feel a bit nervous at first, but I always make sure to welcome them. By the end of the night, they’re having a good time and have made new friends. Without sounding like a lonely hearts club, it genuinely caters to independent creatives – including those who might be a bit introverted. It’s a great social space that welcomes everyone.
“It doesn’t feel like ‘networking’ – it’s just relaxed, real, and genuinely enjoyable.”
Arts Unfiltered Panel Series – ‘Subversive Voices’ @ Sikka Arts and Design Festival
3. Current Landscape:
What are some of the most surprising or rewarding outcomes you’ve observed since the club’s formation—be it connections made, projects launched, or personal stories from members?
The most surprising and rewarding thing I’ve seen is how many people walk in solo. At our last event, over half the guests came alone. Working across different industries with varied schedules can make organising nights out with friends tricky – so it’s great to have a space where people can simply turn up on their own and know they’ll have a good night. It’s a no-brainer: come down, have fun, and leave feeling creatively inspired by like-minded people.
What I love most is the member directory – it’s incredible to see just how many talented creatives there are in Dubai. We get a really diverse mix. The grassroots talent here is amazing. Our members range from local independent fashion brands and filmmakers to musicians and dancers performing in hotels – we even have mind readers and magicians. These are the people who keep the city’s creative pulse beating.
4. Evolution and Growth:
As the creative ecosystem in Dubai evolves, how do you see Karama Arts Club adapting and growing—are there particular new programs, collaborations, or outreach initiatives on the horizon?
Now that we’ve secured our official non-profit license – the first of its kind for an independent creative social club in Dubai – we’re ready to grow in a way that still feels true to our roots. The plan is to stick with our simple, sustainable format: monthly Evening Socials and daytime Café Socials, collaborating with existing studios and creative spaces across the city.
What I really want to focus on now is securing sponsorship. Launching as a non-profit was a deliberate choice to open the door for sponsorship that supports creatives working on their own terms. Our dream is to enable artist-led solo shows and exhibitions without the pressure of heavy commercial interests. We’re looking for the right sponsors who share our values and want to help us make these projects happen authentically and sustainably. Hosting quarterly solo exhibitions and a big inclusive Summer Show in 2026 is what we are currently working on.
“Our members range from local independent fashion brands and filmmakers to musicians and dancers performing in hotels – we even have mind readers and magicians. These are the people who keep the city’s creative pulse beating.”
A typical Karama Arts Club Social evening
5. Vision for the Future:
Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for Karama Arts Club, and what role do you hope it will play in nurturing Dubai’s next generation of independent creatives?
In the long run, I’d love for Karama Arts Club to have a permanent home – a physical space that feels like a true club room for Dubai’s creative community. Until then, it will remain a part-time venture focused on delivering consistent events that people can rely on to be part of their monthly social calendar.
I hope the Club can play a meaningful role in galvanising the creative scene in an authentic, accessible way, by creating opportunities through sponsorship for local creatives to lead their own artist-led initiatives – opening doors by being a community non-profit made by creatives, for creatives.
Clare Napper’s commitment to cultivating an inclusive, accessible, and dynamic creative community serves as an inspiring model for the region. As Karama Arts Club continues to flourish, it stands poised to leave a lasting impact on Dubai’s independent creative scene, nurturing connections, talent, and opportunity for years to come.
Editorial Staff 2025
