Dubai Culture implements initiatives to realise Public Art Strategy goals
- 17 Jan 2023
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to strengthen its position on the global cultural map and make it a capital of the global creative economy by 2026, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has begun the implementation of Dubai’s Public Art Strategy.
It seeks to transform the emirate into an open, accessible and global art gallery, offering exceptional artistic experiences that enhance visual culture and the spirit of innovation, contributing to enriching the region’s cultural and artistic scene while supporting Dubai’s creative economy.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, approved the Public Art Strategy last year in January, and Dubai Culture, headed by Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Member of the Dubai Council, leads the artistic movement.
The step is seen as further confirmation of Dubai Culture’s keenness to empower creatives and coordinate with various institutions and stakeholders to transform Dubai’s streets, neighbourhoods and public areas into touristic and cultural destinations.The Authority aims to transform Dubai’s public spaces with artwork, sculptures, paintings, murals and art installations, that reflect the creative identity of the emirate and generate an interactive social space between artists and the public.
It will increase art accessibility and establish a sustainable creative environment, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) that seeks to double Dubai’s GDP by 2033. Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, affirmed the significance of achieving the Public Art Strategy’s objectives. She said that “the importance of this strategy lies in its ability to establish a unique cultural and artistic environment within Dubai. The strategy reflects the features of Dubai’s identity and the richness of its art scene, in addition to its role in supporting cultural tourism and making it a key source of the creative economy.”
She added that “expanding public art is part of Dubai’s vision to become an incubator for creatives from all over the world, promote the spirit of cultural innovation and raise the level of artistic and visual taste in the city.” She stated that activating the Public Art Strategy represents the Authority’s backing for creatives and private sector institutions.
“Through this strategy, we seek to create a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship, support Dubai’s creative economy, and strengthen partnerships with the private sector. We aim to extend bridges of cooperation, empower artists, and enhance their presence on the art scene, which helps make Dubai a global icon and a unique model for cities of the future,” she said.
To ensure the success of the Public Art Strategy, the Authority is collaborating with Art Dubai, Tashkeel, Alserkal, Art Jameel, and Akaas Visual Arts, who in turn will undertake the task of issuing open calls to all artists, offering them the platform to participate in presenting a series of unique, site-specific art installations.
The Authority announced that it has completed defining the strategy’s roadmap for the distribution of the installations across the emirate, and is launching, in cooperation with Art Dubai, the Dhs2 million inaugural commission and open call to all Emirati and UAE-based artists, designers and architects to submit their suggestions, ideas and artistic designs for the first large-scale site-specific installation for Dubai’s public garden in Al Hudaiba, overlooking the Etihad Museum and Union House. It will be unveiled to the public in late 2023.
The Authority will manage the selection process and production for the first commission in partnership with Art Dubai. Carlo Rizzo, Special Advisor to Dubai Public Art; Maryam Mohammed Mudhaffar, Project Manager in the Museums Department at Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; and Benedetta Ghione, Executive Director of Art Dubai, are the members of an expert committee who will evaluate the submissions and select the winning proposal.
All preliminary submissions must be received by February 13. Shortlisted artists will be announced at the 16th edition of Art Dubai 1-5 March, and each of them will receive a fee of $5,000 to create a detailed proposal and a prototype or maquette of their pieces. Late 2023 will mark the grand reveal of the winning landmark piece. The objectives of the Public Art Strategy are integrated with those of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to improve the quality of life, enhance the emirate’s global competitiveness over the next twenty years, and confirm its position as an ideal city in the world to live, work and visit.
Meanwhile, Art Dubai, the Middle East’s leading international art fair, has been appointed as the first commissioning entity for the new initiative. Art Dubai will also dedicate the 10th edition of its flagship education and professional development programme, Campus Art Dubai (CAD), to public art.
The annual programme offers a special curriculum that provides UAE-based talents with a platform to develop their artistic skills. The CAD Public Art aims to build sector knowledge and capacity in the rapidly growing field of public art commissioning.
Founded in 2007, Art Dubai is the premier platform to see and buy modern and contemporary art from the Global South. Its 16th edition will present over 100 participants from more than 40 countries and six continents across four gallery sections: Contemporary, Modern, Bawwaba and Art Dubai Digital. Dubai Culture is the fair’s strategic partner.
