Dubai Culture establishes Dubai Museums Company

DUBAI, 17th May, 2017 (WAM) -- Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Culture, has established the Dubai Museums Company to support Dubais vision of becoming a regional and global focal point for diverse cultural exchange.

The new company will manage all Dubai Cultures museums and be responsible for concluding agreements between public and private bodies locally and internationally in all areas related to museum operations and development. It will also develop and organise cultural exhibitions, events, workshops, programmes, conferences, seminars and training courses related to the museum sector as well as managing all commercial activities in these museums.

Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention and Chairman of Dubai Culture, commented, "The establishment of Dubai Museums Company is aligned with the vision of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to make the Emirate of Dubai an open air museum. This vision also underpins Dubai Cultures mandates to preserve the UAE culture and heritage and raise the awareness about them on the global cultural tourism map. In addition, the newly announced company will play a pivotal role in leveraging the Emirates current and upcoming museums and to facilitate cultural exchange among the members of Dubais dynamic and global society.""The mission of the Dubai Museums Company is to develop the authoritys museums services to ensure that visitors enjoy unique experiences in accordance with international best practices. The company will also develop diverse programmes to strengthen the status of our museums and heritage sites by highlighting their role as vital centres for Dubais community to exchange knowledge and cultural dialogue," he added.

The establishment of the new company coincides with International Museums Day on Thursday 18th May, held under the theme Museums and Contested Histories: Saying the Unspeakable in Museums. The theme addresses the role museums play in promoting peaceful relationships between people for the benefit of society. It also highlights how the acceptance of a contested history is the first step in envisioning a shared future under the banner of reconciliation.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director-General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, has announced that the Etihad Museum will open its doors for free on International Museums Day. He also confirmed that the authority will be participating in the celebration on an annual basis to underscore and celebrate the important societal role of museums.

Dubai Culture manages over 17 heritage sites across Dubai, each of which showcases the essence and rich heritage of the city.