Dubai Culture and Arts Authority initiatives boost local culture
Work on view at ShowCACE 2021 exhibition.
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
In the course of her visit to the exhibition held in Dubai Design District (May 17 – 27), Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), praised the intellectual and artistic diversity and richness that was reflected in the projects of Zayed University’s (ZU) college graduates, presented at the ShowCACE 2021 exhibition organised by the ZU College of Arts and Creative Enterprises (CACE).
During her tour, she was accompanied by Khalid Al Khazraji, Vice-President of ZU; Professor Clayton MacKenzie, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at ZU; Kevin Badni, Dean of the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises; Alanood Bukhammas, Graphic Design faculty at ZU, and student representatives from each major. Badri commended the work of the college’s female graduates in art and design, which included 66 projects within the college’s four majors (animation, graphic design, interior design and visual arts).
She said: “The presented works embody the students’ artistic and creative experiences, characterised with thought and creativity in their university graduation projects.
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“The works also indicate artistic maturity, standing as testament to the intensive training and directed research that the students underwent, thanks to the efforts of expert academic cadres at the university. I hope that this exhibition will be the beginning of a prosperous career for them in the creative field.
“We are committed to embracing these young talents, highlighting them and helping them be part of a bright future for the creative industries in the emirate to achieve our vision of strengthening Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent as well as a global capital for the creative economy.” She added that “such works indicate that the artistic and creative movement in Dubai and the UAE is moving at an accelerated pace towards excellence locally, regionally, and globally.”
Khadija Al Bastaki, Executive Director of Dubai Design District (d3), said: “We are delighted to once again be hosting an exceptional exhibition of works from ZU’s students of the College of the Arts and Creative Enterprises. “As the region’s beating heart of design that’s home to thousands of brilliant minds, we care deeply about empowering the youth. Students are an important part of what makes our community special, and we will continue to encourage our business community to explore how they can deepen ties with academia to access some of the most exciting up-and-coming talent. This is important because young people are the future of our knowledge-based economy.
She added: “We will continue to work with our strategic partners to cement the Emirate’s position as a global creative hub, in line with the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy. Based on the quality of craftmanship and innovation displayed, the future looks bright for the next generation of talent.” Earlier Badri commented on the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (May 21) that “at Dubai Culture, we are committed to nurturing talents in the emirate and supporting cultural diversity as an engine for comprehensive development and economic growth that contributes to strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub and incubator for various human cultures and a preferred destination for intellectual convergence, cultural and knowledge interaction and civilised dialogue, that seeks to help build a prosperous future for human societies.
“We are inspired by the vision of our wise leadership that provides more than 190 nationalities with a foundation on which to live in peace, love and prosperity, inspired from the legacy of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who instilled the values of love and promoted the culture of peaceful coexistence in the UAE since its union.”
She stressed that Dubai Culture, as one of the main contributors to UAE Soft Power Strategy, will continue its work to enhance the emirate’s distinct cultural identity, build distinct international partnerships and harness the power of the partnerships to enhance the Emirate’s footprint on the global cultural map. Badri also affirmed that Dubai Culture was “committed to developing cultural and creative programmes that extend bridges of dialogue between cultures.” In 2001, UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity and in 2002, the UN General Assembly declared May 21 as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) also annually celebrates International Museum Day on May 18. During this year’s celebrations under the theme ‘The Future of Museums: Recover and Recreate’, the Authority provided free entry to its museums across Dubai, affirming the importance of museums as important cultural edifices that connect society members with the rich history and heritage of the UAE, consolidating their connection with the country’s past. Muna Faisal Algurg, Director of the Museums Department and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Culture & Heritage Sector at Dubai Culture, affirmed the importance of commemorating International Museum Day to raise awareness among society members of the importance of museums as pioneering cultural and educational destinations. Increasing globalisation and the settling of various immigrant groups have transformed Dubai into a melting pot of different nationalities, and has given rise to a cosmopolitan culture that is in sync with other global cities. The Emirate’s futuristic architecture, an important element in the process of urbanising Dubai, for instance, has led to derivative terms iconising Dubai as the world centre of pioneering, ultramodern and cutting-edge buildings.
