Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) launched the 29^th edition of the ArtMap, created in collaboration with thejamjar. The guide offers a detailed overview of art galleries, exhibitions, and key festivals, events, and artistic activities across the UAE. It reflects Dubai Culture’s commitment to fostering an ecosystem that empowers creatives, intellectuals, and entrepreneurs while solidifying Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. The new edition highlights the remarkable evolution of the city’s arts scene over the past six years, driven by the emirate’s vision to establish itself as a global leader in the creative economy. It provides insights on upcoming art shows, key awards and grants designed to support local artists. The publication also emphasises the role of Al Quoz Creative Zone, home to numerous studios, creative spaces, and training centres, offering opportunities for talents to connect, exchange expertise, and collaborate on projects. Additionally, it focuses on initiatives by Dubai Culture through the Dubai Public Library network. The ArtMap delves into the cultural landscapes of Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, and spotlights leading artists and curators in the UAE and the region. It recognises the contributions of institutions like thejamjar, The Third Line, and Carbon 12 in developing the local creative landscape. The guide also explores the rising influence of African art within the country.

Click here to view the full art map guide

Following the success of the first edition, Dubai Culture and Google have launched the open call for the 2^nd MENA Creatives Bootcamp – AI & Innovation Edition. Aimed at guiding and empowering the creative community members to explore and leverage artificial intelligence-supported technology, the bootcamp is for creatives to enhance their online presence and facilitate their learning with first-hand experience and practice.  The 4-day bootcamp will give creatives a unique opportunity to network with fellow talents and gain 1-1 mentorship from Google and industry experts. This initiative is part of the Authority’s efforts to strengthen Dubai’s cultural and creative industries, creating a sustainable creative ecosystem capable of empowering and developing skills and capabilities across various fields.

To apply, click here.

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) leads the artistic and creative cultural movement in Dubai. Through the Dubai Public Art strategy, the Authority aims to enhance visual culture, stimulate innovation among creators and artists, and encourage them to present exceptional artistic experiences that help transform the emirate into an open, accessible and global art gallery for everyone.

Through the Dubai Public Art initiative, the Authority is committed to supporting and empowering artistic talent. It establishes collaborations with Art Dubai, Tashkeel, Alserkal, Art Jameel, as well as other entities in the arts sector. The goal is to transform Dubai’s streets, neighbourhoods and public areas into touristic and cultural destinations, showcasing artwork, sculptures, paintings, murals and art installations that reflect the geographic creative identity. This initiative creates an interactive cultural space between artists and the diverse audience, fostering cultural tourism in the emirate.

Launched by Tashkeel in 2017, Make Works UAE is a growing online directory of manufacturers, fabricators and suppliers open to working on small orders with artists and designers. The interactive platform is used by creatives seeking to connect with reputable producers and makers in the UAE. 

Make Works UAE is a non-profit initiative, supported by Dubai Culture. It is part of a global network headquartered in Barcelona at the Distributed Design Platform. Currently the network spans the UAE, Sweden, Scotland, England, France, Spain, Italy and Hungary.

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Dubai Culture, through public-private partnerships, is working to provide an integrated system that helps talents establish their creative businesses and benefit from a set of offerings that will enhance the prosperity of their businesses and develop their skills across all levels. This will grant them the platform to become innovative and successful entrepreneurs. These offers include banking services, flexible creative spaces for work and production, technical services, a digital platform for displaying and selling creative products, educational services in various fields, and consulting services, among other services that can be accessed via this page.

An integrated creative ecosystem that meets the requirements of creative talents and entrepreneurs who are investing in various areas of the creative economy. It also enhances the value of this region as a regional and global hub for embracing designers and talents for production, living and entertainment. It will gradually transform into a creative space in line with the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy and will serve as an integrated hub for all services, licences and permits related to creative businesses.

Al Talli is a traditional embroidery craft, which local women used to practice in their homes to produce embroidered textiles to be used in decorating various types of female clothing, or ‘Talli Batool’. Talli designs are distinguished by their bright colours and are used to decorate the collars, hem and cuffs of formal wear. Those masters of the craft, use a device called a ‘Kajuja’ that consists of a metal stand with an oval-shaped pillow of cotton sitting on top which serves as the base on which the Talli threads are braided. Women who weave Al Talli use between 8 and 50 spools of thread. In the past, women used silver or gold colours to weave braids, which were combined with other pure cotton threads to extend along the edges of the pieces to produce wonderful decorative designs. With the passage of time, black, green, red, white, and silver colours became the most used colours in these creations. Different names for the types of designs became attached, among them ‘Sayer Yaay’ (coming and going), in relation to the method used in its production, where the single silver thread is passed back and forth, while there’s also ‘Bu Khostain’ (double strand) and ‘Bu Khosa’ (single strand), because it uses a silver strip of half the double’s width. The importance of preserving the local heritage and raising awareness of it prompted Dubai Culture to take the initiative to register Al Talli craft as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity with UNESCO for urgent safeguarding. Its inclusion on the list was announced during the 17th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee, held in the Moroccan city of Rabat. This effort is part of the consolidation of the UAE’s role in leading nominations for the elements of intangible cultural heritage, starting with falconry, Al Sadu, Al-Taghrooda, Al-Ayyala dance, Al Azi art, Al-Razfa dance, Arabic coffee, Arabic calligraphy, Al Aflaj, Camel racing, the Majlis, the palm tree, Heda’a, and now Al Talli. The Authority is committed to preserving and celebrating heritage as a source and reference for future generations.

Explore over 80 stories and learn about Dubai's culture, arts and heritage on Dubai's profile on Google Arts and Culture

Ramadan Heroes is a humanitarian community initiative from Dubai Culture and talabat that reflects the spirit of the holy month. The initiative targets needy families and basic-service employees throughout the UAE to make them happy and honour them for their services to the community.

Soul of Dubai – Cultural Experiences inspires narrators and talents to showcase their cultural experiences in the emirate

The School of Life project is a pioneering initiative that aims to build the cultural, creative and life skills of youth, adults and People of Determination in Dubai, whether citizens or residents, through an innovative educational environment per international standards. It hosts a series of interactive educational workshops held by Dubai Culture in the Dubai Public Library branches across Dubai.

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) presented the inaugural edition of Dubai Calligraphy Biennale (DCB) in October 2023 with the participation of creatives and calligraphers worldwide, with the aim of promoting creative cultural dialogues, keeping calligraphic artwork at the forefront of Arab world output and providing a platform for the best of the discipline. Throughout the biennale, the Authority launched city-wide activities, including 150+ workshops, 25+ talks and 19 exhibitions across 35+ cultural locations, libraries, art galleries, and other partner and stakeholder venues to enable access for different communities and audiences.

To elevate the calligraphy landscape in Dubai, the biennale showcased art from a 8+ languages and cultures. The event was comprised of art and design exhibitions, supplemented with dynamic activations, including public art installations. The programming will also encompass workshops, talks, masterclasses, and panel discussions, encouraging a vibrant and educational atmosphere.

Date: 1 – 31 October 2023

Dubai Calligraphy Biennale: A city-wide event celebrating the harmony, grace, and beauty of calligraphy, that included the 11^th edition of the Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition, in addition to aligned exhibitions and components activated during the biennale across several locations, among them are Dubai Culture’s assets, namely Etihad Museum, Al Shindagha Museum, Etihad Museum, Al Safa Art and Design Library, and the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children.

Focus: The Biennale brought forth exciting developments, including the incorporation of new languages and components. Key highlights of this inaugural event include:

• 19 exhibitions
• Activation of 35+ locations in Dubai.
• Introduction of 8+ new calligraphic languages, enriching cultural diversity and dialogue.
• Support for more than 200 local and international artists.
• Launch of captivating calligraphy-themed public art pieces.

The Reading Box features activities that promote a reading culture among the community, including creative labs that discuss important cultural issues, storytelling sessions, and more

The Sikka Art and Design Festival is a flagship event of Dubai Art Season, a comprehensive annual artistic celebration held annually in Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood to celebrate the emirate’s growing creative and cultural landscape.

In 2024, the festival's activities will take place in Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood

Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Authority promotes a unique mix of artistic and cultural events annually, held under the umbrella of the Dubai Art Season

An annual theatrical celebration that celebrates young talents in the UAE and seeks to empower them and advance Emirati theatre. In each edition, the festival highlights rich, original and creative performances, bringing joy to the hearts of theatrical enthusiasts, whether citizens or residents.

Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Culture launched the first edition of Al Marmoom – Film in the Desert in 2020, with the aim of supporting Emirati and UAE-resident filmmakers by showcasing their works as well as present workshops for new talents and a series of masterclasses

The 2024 edition of the festival will take place in Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve from 12 to 21 January

Dubai Culture offered a programme of cultural and heritage activities through ‘Al Shindagha Days’ from 24 November to 3 December 2023. This captivating event served as a living tribute to the ancient way of life in Dubai, aiming to transport visitors back in time. By focusing on the rich maritime legacy of the local community, it unravelled the intricacies, aesthetics, and their profound influence on the social fabric of Dubai. Al Shindagha Days offered the public an opportunity to delve into the deep-rooted connection between the Dubai residents and the sea and shed light on traditional craftsmanship, all of which plays a pivotal role in illuminating Dubai's sustainable maritime heritage. This initiative is in alignment with Dubai Culture's core commitment to safeguarding Emirati history and fostering cultural tourism throughout Dubai.

The festival was held under the theme ‘Celebrating Our Culture of the Sea’ and included a series of workshops that provided opportunities to learn about crafts like Jallaf, as well as create and sing Al Nahma sea chants. Alongside these, it provided immersive cultural experiences, enabling the audience to step into the life by the creek, gain insights into the daily lives of Emirati fishermen, and explore the art of designing bags from fishing nets. The festival also hosted an exhibition of classic Emirati games, including Al Gaheef, Al Karabi, and Al Dusays, which hold a cherished place among the nation's most beloved time-honoured games. Furthermore, visitors were treated to a delightful selection of interactive artistic performances inspired by the melodies of age-old coastal music.

It is the globally first-of-its-kind system to grant long-term cultural visas to attract and embrace Arab and global creative talents in culture; arts; heritage; historical, cognitive and intellectual studies; and creative industries.

We invite you to visit the activities of Art Dubai, the region's leading annual international fair, which, over three days, features a set of the finest works and modern creations by artists from all over the world. You can satisfy your artistic passion and enjoy a varied programme of solo exhibitions, visual art experiences, and fun family activities.

Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Design Week is the region’s annual creative event that brings together art and design at Dubai Design District (d3). It is the largest-of-its-kind events that is widely anticipated in the world of design in its various fields, highlighted through exhibitions and innovative artistic installations, dialogues and workshops across multiple creative disciplines, and competitions.

It is an annual Arab literary celebration held in partnership with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority to support and cement the position and role of books and reading in society. It is your exceptional opportunity to meet local and international authors, attend workshops and participate in competitions within an inspiring atmosphere of creativity and excitement.

In partnership with Dubai Culture, Dubai Watch Week is the world's largest watch fair in terms of the number of luxury and exclusive brands on display. It is a comprehensive and exceptional experience for the whole family to learn about the history of watchmaking, immerse themselves in the philosophy of time, and explore the world of the most prominent luxury watch brands.