Maya El Khalil is an independent curator, who for the last decade has been working locally, regionally and internationally with artists, collectors and institutions to develop the identity and ideas that have defined the contemporary art scene in Saudi Arabia. From its inception in 2009 until 2016, she was the founding director of Athr, a leading contemporary art gallery based in Jiddah. She is currently the curator of the upcoming seventh iteration of 21, 39 Jeddah Arts. El Khalil is a holder of a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA from the American University of Beirut. She is pursuing an MA in art and politics at Goldsmiths University, London. Born in Beirut, she currently lives and works in Oxford, England.