Hibernation to hyper activity: UAE art season springs to life in 2025
- 11 hours ago
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
As part of their five-year partnership, the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Mubadala, have announced two new programmes: ‘Artfully Living’ and the ‘House of Artisans Design Competition’. The programmes involve a series of initiatives that promote and reinforce the emirate’s cultural scene. ‘Artfully Living’ marks the partnership’s focus on community development and efforts toward social inclusion in the arts. The programme will see year-round activations that are dedicated to engaging senior citizens in cultural activities and arts education. ‘House of Artisans Design Competition’ celebrates the rich heritage of traditional Emirati handicrafts, promotes innovative art and furniture design, and supports artisans in transferring their creative knowledge and techniques. It invites talented students, creatives, artists and designers who are citizens or residents of the UAE, to craft works that reflect and reconnect the past and present.
Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Through art and cultural education, we will provide our seniors with a platform for self-expression and community connection. Meanwhile, the design competition reflects our mission to nurture talent and enable the next generation of artists and creators.” Homaid Al Shimmari, Deputy Group CEO and Chief Corporate & Human Capital Officer at Mubadala, said that “these initiatives will contribute significantly to the emirate’s arts and culture ecosystem, driving impactful change, locally and globally. They will enhance the cultural vibrancy of Abu Dhabi.”
Mansour Al Ketbi, Executive Director of Digital and Corporate Services at Mubadala, said: “By nurturing the artistic talents of both our senior citizens and the younger generation, we are creating enduring, positive change in our communities.” Rita Aoun, Culture Sector Executive Director at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We empower youth to harness the transformative power of art, while also providing the elderly a platform for creative exploration.” Cultural education in the lives of elderly citizens plays a crucial role in maintaining cognitive function, reducing feelings of isolation, while promoting a sense of purpose and belonging. Recognising the vital role of the arts in promoting overall well-being, the programme aims to engage them in creative activities that not only stimulate their minds, but also enhance their social interactions.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in collaboration with Art Dubai, has also announced an open call for a new education programme for Emirati and UAE-based artists, to develop their practice in public art (commencing February 22). The programme, vis-a-vis Dubai Culture’s plans regarding the activation of its Public Art Strategy, focuses on transforming Dubai’s public areas through visual culture, including art installations, murals and sculptures, highlighting the emirate’s vibrant artistic and cultural movement.
Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, emphasised the significance of the Public Art Strategy and its role in achieving Dubai’s vision of becoming a global hub for the creative economy. She said: “Public art is a distinctive hallmark of Dubai, showcasing its unique creative identity and the richness of its artistic landscape. It underscores Dubai’s vibrant environment that nurtures talent and develops capabilities in the arts sector, which forms an essential pillar of cultural and creative industries ... enhancing cultural tourism within the emirate.”
Spanning seven months under the theme ‘Shaping the Future of Public Art in the UAE’, the programme’s curriculum comprises interactive seminars, workshops, and hands-on sessions led by renowned art-world professionals and industry leaders. Mentorship is at its heart, with artists set to gain guidance from established public art practitioners on how to navigate the intricacies of the field. Selected artists will learn the process of creating winning public art proposals and gain practical skills in project management, fundraising and legal considerations for public art projects. Alongside the Core Education Programme is the Community Education Programme, which consists of monthly programming featuring industry leaders and specialists, offering insight into the creative process, commissioning and curating public art, and fostering community engagement.
The programme part is open to all students, creative enthusiasts and artists, nurturing community interaction with Dubai’s Public Art Strategy, which has introduced several impactful projects. The first large-scale installation under the Dubai Public Art initiative, ‘Union of Artists’, was unveiled at the Al Hudaiba Public Park earlier. Subsequent installations included the mural ‘I am still learning’ at Al Safa Art and Design Library and the large-scale interactive sculptural playground ‘I Dreamt of a City Everyone Calls Home’ at Jameel Arts Centre. Artists, designers and architects are invited by Dubai Culture to apply for the Core Education Programme via Dubai Culture’s website. Applications close on February 10.
Meanwhile, the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) has unveiled ‘Power’ as the theme for its Fourteenth Season (January 10 - May 31). This season features five main categories, with ‘Power’ being the primary theme. Included are also the ‘Sports Photography’ category; the ‘General (Colour and Black & White)’ category and ‘Portfolio (Story-Telling)’ category. The new category is ‘Drone (Video)’. Ali bin Thalith, HIPA Secretary General, said that “under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and patron of HIPA, we have achieved significant progress in international institutional rankings. Key milestones have included raising the prize value from US$450,000 to US$1 million, introducing the Special Award category ‘HIPA Photographer of the Year’, and launching the mobile app ‘HIPA Awards’ in Arabic and English, on all major platforms.”
