Partnering with music producer and fellow hotelier Abel Damoussi, Vanessa created the first biennale in 2005- entitled Arts in Marrakech - to tap into the city’s position at both the geographical crossroads between Africa and Europe, but also its cultural and creative roots. 

Iconic Moroccan artist Mohammed Melehi curated an exhibition of work from the Casablanca School of Art, including pieces by Farid Belkahia, Mohammed Chabaa and others, at the Badi Palace. Meanwhile, the Wonderful Fund Collection was exhibited at the Museum of Marrakech. This collection of 100 works of contemporary art - purchased by Vanessa Branson and Prue O'Day as curators for the London-based collectors group, was exhibited for the first time ever at AiM. The collection was not put together as an investment, but as a platform for discovery, a means of supporting young artists and a snapshot of emerging creativity during the millennium. There were 64 artists representing 17 countries in the Collection and included work from artists such as Sarah Lucas, Grayson Perry, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Tracey Emin and Gavin Turk.

The Literary Programme was held at El Fenn and was organised by Pablo Ganguli. Highlights included a panel discussion on the future of English and literature and how the media can play a key role in its promotion, chaired by Geordie Greig with author Hanif Kureishi, Alexandra Pringle, Peter Florence, Simon Prosser, Ekow Eshun, Esther Freud, Hari Kunzru (and attended by Antony Gormley and Annie Lennox); and a conference on the importance of the translation of Arabic literature and poetry in the western world and a discussion on the state of Arab literature, featuring Ahmed El Madini, Rabii Mobarak, Susanna Nicklin, Wassini Laraj, Tayeb Salah and Mahi Binebine.