Dubai Culture unveils integrated approach to provide multifaceted services for Emirati talent

An integrated approach being implemented to cover performing arts, visual arts, film, and literature
Authority to develop comprehensive Emirati artist database, host workshops and art residences, and offer advisory service to foster Emirati talent

Expanded services will comprise art grants

Dubai, UAE; July 18, 2011: Building further on its pioneering cultural and arts initiatives, the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is launching several key programmes aimed at identifying, encouraging, nurturing, and building Emirati talent in visual arts, performing arts, film, and literature.

Having already activated workshops, residency programmes, advisory services, and artist commissioning to promote talented UAE nationals, the Authority will further enrich the cultural scene with the implementation of an extensive database of Emirati artists. Dubai Culture will also work towards facilitating arts grants in association with patrons from both the public and private sectors. The expanded services will cover all disciplines supported by Dubai Culture and will progressively institute several path breaking initiatives.

Salem Belyouha, Projects & Events Manager of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said that the core of this integrated programme is to develop and strengthen artistic practice by providing career-defining opportunities for UAE national talent. "To firmly establish exposure and production, it is imperative that the skill sets of Emirati talent are identified and nurtured. From hosting workshops, residency programmes and facilitating arts grants, our expanded services will help to recognise and cultivate the skills of Emirati artists. The extensive additions to the Authority's repertoire of services will clearly establish Dubai's cultural thought leadership across the region and globally."

As part of Dubai Culture's multifaceted services, the newly introduced artists-in-residence programme, aimed at facilitating cultural and artistic exchange, was launched earlier this year in association with The Delfina Foundation, Tashkeel and Art Dubai, with the support of the British Council, at Al Bastakiya. Five artists - three of them Emirati and two international - worked independently to create art installations, which were displayed at House 44 in Al Bastakiya as part of the Sikka Art Fair, organised by Dubai Culture.

The organisation also commissioned three additional Emirati artists during Art Dubai to create exclusive artworks for the exteriors of the ArtBus, which toured various art venues in Dubai as well as the Sharjah Biennale.

Work on the Emirati artist database is also progressing, which upon implementation will serve as a one-stop referral point that archives information on all Emirati artists, their areas of specialisation, artwork, and contact information, thus enabling wider outreach.

An additional series of workshops on various aspects of the arts will be conducted from June to November, and work on the Emirati artist database will commence in the latter part of the year. By the end of the year, Dubai Culture expects to facilitate arts grants for promising Emirati artists. Emirati artists can contact Dubai Culture on 04 8004003 or e-mail artsServices@dubaiculture.ae for more details on Arts Sections.

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority spearheads and supports several cultural and arts initiatives in Dubai including the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards; the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre; Sikka Art Fair; Gulf Film Festival; Emirates Airline Festival of Literature; and Art Dubai, among others which have contributed to establishing Dubai as a cultural hub of the region.

-Ends-

About Dubai Culture & Arts Authority:
The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) was launched on March 8, 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Dubai Culture plays a critical part in achieving the vision of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 of establishing the city as vibrant, global Arabian metropolis that shapes culture and arts in the region and the world. The organisation has announced several initiatives that strengthen the historic and modern cultural fabric of Dubai. These include:

Muhammad the Messenger Museum: The first project of its kind in the world to focus on and highlight the life and message of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him).

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards: A first-of-its-kind regional initiative to honour patrons of the arts from around the world for their valuable support in encouraging and strengthening the cultural scene of the Emirate.

Sikka Art Fair: An annual art fair aimed at promoting Emirati and local artists in the UAE.

Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre: An annual festival that celebrates and fosters the art of theatre in the UAE.

Dubai Next: To encourage and sponsor initiatives that contribute actively to the development of the cultural events and activities in Dubai. Recently, Dubai Culture showcased Dubai's aspirations in culture to an international audience at one of the world's most prestigious platforms, the Art Basel 39 art fair.

Gulf Film Festival: Dubai Culture recognises that a healthy film industry is necessary to take stories about Dubai's culture, traditions, history and contemporary lifestyle to the world.

Khor Dubai: A living museum that celebrates the multicultural diversity of Dubai.

The Holy Lands: A collaboration with the unique and creatively rich Reiss Engelhorn Museen of Mannheim to bring an exclusive collection of never before exhibited rare photographs to the region and more specifically Dubai.

For more information, please contact:
Nivine William / Divya Khanna
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 3344550
n.william@asdaa.com, d.khanna@asdaa.com