Abu Dhabi, UAE: H.E. Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) was awarded the esteemed Middle East Institute Visionary Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership in empowering artists and communities across the Arab world, and bringing Arab culture to a global audience. The award was bestowed upon Her Excellency in a special ceremony hosted yesterday at the Institute’s 72nd Annual Awards Banquet and Conference at Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The Middle East Institute Visionary Award recognises an Arab individual or institution for outstanding work in the region. Awarded for her dedication to the art and culture industry in the Middle East, inspiring artists to create, generations to innovate, and communities to unite and prosper, Huda I. Al-Khamis Kanoo was presented the award by Alicia Adams, Vice President of International Programming at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Also in attendance was H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States of America and Dr. Paul Salem, President Middle East Institute.

After founding ADMAF in 1996 and launching the annual Abu Dhabi Festival in 2004, Huda I. Al-Khamis Kanoo continues to work on advancing knowledge, development, culture and creativity, pioneering new practices and new works that support Middle Eastern debuts while nurturing the careers of gifted young professionals throughout the Arab world. 

Upon receiving the award, H.E. Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation said: “We live in uncertain, troubling times in the Arab World, and the role of the Middle East Institute is more relevant and vital now than ever, in its efforts to shine a light on the region, helping the US and the world at large to understand more about us and our culture. So it is personally a great honour to be presented with the 2018 Visionary Award.”

“The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, which we founded in 1996, is right at the heart of a thriving and passionate arts and culture scene in the UAE, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved over the past 22 years. Following the exemplary lead set by Sheikh Zayed, the UAE’s Founding Father, from day one ADMAF chose to play a major role in cultural diplomacy, to invest in the fabric of culture itself. Artists, youth, free creative spirits, innovators, ideas and beyond; allowing culture to happen; to encourage dialogue to take place. Together with our global partners, we are united as a force for good and support the young to realise their dreams, dedicated to the promise of culture, which so many have sacrificed so much for across the Middle East for centuries.”

Dr. Paul Salem, President Middle East Institute, said: "The Middle East Institute is proud to honour H.E. Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo for her commitment to fostering creativity and culture in the UAE and to bringing Emirati and Arab art to the world."

Founded in 1946, the Middle East Institute is the oldest Washington-based institution dedicated solely to the study of the Middle East. Its founders, scholar George Camp Keiser and former U.S. Secretary of State Christian Herter, laid out a simple mandate: “to increase knowledge of the Middle East among the citizens of the United States and to promote a better understanding between the people of these two areas.” MEI has earned a reputation as an unbiased source of information and analysis on this critical region of the world, a reputation it has meticulously safeguarded since its creation. Today, MEI remains a respected, non-partisan voice in the field of Middle East studies.

The Middle East Institute's signature event annually brings together hundreds of top officials, analysts, and business leaders representing a diverse cross-section of the Middle East-focused community for an evening of conversation and celebration to honour outstanding humanitarian, political, cultural, or economic contributions to the region.

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About the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation

Patron: H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance 

Founded in 1996, ADMAF is one of the oldest, not-for-profit cultural organisations in the Arabian Gulf. Pioneering new artistic practices, it seeks to deepen global cross-cultural dialogue and inspire a renewed interest in the creativity of the UAE and Arab world. Often in partnership with leading national and international institutions, it delivers multidisciplinary initiatives for people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities through the Abu Dhabi Festival, year-round youth platforms and community programmes.

For more information, please visit www.admaf.org 

© Press Release 2018

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