Sikka Art & Design Festival’s 14th edition imagines Dubai’s future
- Last updated: January 17, 2026 | 10:06 ..
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced the return of Sikka Art & Design Festival for its 14th edition (Jan. 23 – Feb. 1). Held under the patronage of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson, Dubai Culture, it will take place at Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood; the event will see more than 450 creatives and artists, including participants from the UAE, the region, and globally. Under the theme ‘Imagining Dubai: Identities of the Future’, Sikka brings together a wide range of art forms, celebrating established and emerging creatives from the UAE and the Gulf, while also spotlighting international artistic perspectives through the International Houses showcase.
Held as part of Dubai Art Season, Sikka presents a multidisciplinary programme spanning visual arts, performing arts, design, public art, and technology, supporting the growth of the cultural and creative industries and highlighting the richness of local talent. More than 250 artworks will be showcased across 16 houses, offering a diverse range of artistic disciplines shaped by the festival theme.
Curation across the edition is led by Moza Lootah (Public Art House and Visual Art House); Esra Ozkan (Art & Tech House); Kamal Al Zoubi (Ceramics House); Ahlam AlBannai (Photography House); Saeed Alketbi and Majedah Alawadhi (Design House); Yara Ayoob (Khaleeji House); Ahmad Makary (Urban House); Alanood Bukhammas and Zena Adhami (Institutional House); Noura Al Falahi (Culinary House); and Kotaro Watanabe (International House).
The festival will also host a wide range of daily workshops and talks led by a prominent and diverse group of speakers and creatives, for both adults and children. The programme will also unveil new murals aligned with the Dubai Public Art Strategy. Visitors can enjoy artistic performances and live music, as well as supper clubs, a food market, and curated homegrown retail outlets. Opportunities for entrepreneurs to showcase and sell products inspired by culture and creativity, are also provided. Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of the Arts, Design & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, said that “since its launch, Sikka Art & Design Festival has become an integral part of Dubai’s arts ecosystem, thanks to its ability to nurture emerging talent, open new horizons for artists, and encourage them to share their ideas and perspectives.
“Sikka stands out for its integrated, community-led model that goes beyond the traditional exhibition format. It creates space for exploration, dialogue and collaboration across disciplines, while strengthening direct engagement between artists, creative practitioners, and the public.” The festival’s theme draws on the city’s past and its character as a place shaped by movement and reinvention, inviting reflection on how Dubai’s cultural identity continues to evolve, encouraging imagination and experimentation, while staying anchored in history and everyday life. In doing so, it reflects the dynamic relationship between heritage and the people who carry it forward.
Music District, meanwhile, has announced the ‘Empowering Emirati Musicians’ programme, delivered in strategic partnership with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture). The initiative will provide young Emirati musicians with year-long structured training in string, wind, and traditional instruments. The initiative reflects both entities’ commitment to growing the UAE’s music ecosystem and strengthening its contribution to the cultural and creative industries. Both organisations have invited emerging artists to apply for the programme, which falls under the Dubai Cultural Grant, with January 25 being the deadline. The first cohort will include 20 participants, selected for their interest in music and readiness to complete a comprehensive, year-long learning experience.
They will study under a select group of local and international teachers, supported by advanced instruction, delivered across the year. The programme also includes field visits to Cremona, Italy, to explore violin-making with renowned luthiers, as well as a visit to France to learn about wind-instrument manufacturing. Over the 12 months, they will take part in concerts and music events in the UAE and abroad. Shavkat Mamadjonov, Founder of Music District, said: “The Empowering Emirati Musicians programme is an investment in the future of the UAE’s music scene. We want young Emirati creatives to access world-class instruction, alongside real performance opportunities that sharpen their craft and broaden their experience.”
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi said that “the initiative offers an inspiring space, allowing artists to learn a range of musical techniques, expand their capabilities across different instruments, and develop their practice, enabling them to produce high-quality work that adds to the UAE’s cultural landscape.” Registration opened early January; training begins in February, and will continue for a year. Since its inception in 2011, Sikka Art & Design Festival has evolved from a week-long visual arts showcase into one of the UAE’s most dynamic annual cultural platforms. It champions emerging Emirati, UAE and GCC creative voices, while engaging in dialogue with international practitioners, reflecting Dubai’s position within a wider regional and global creative landscape.
Originally held in the intimate alleyways of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and then activated across the historic streets and houses of Al Shindagha, Sikka has expanded in both scale and scope. Its multidisciplinary programme brings together curated exhibitions, visual and performing arts, design, public art, technology, and creative programmes. The festival, while promoting creative industries, is rooted in local heritage and outward-looking in its ambitions, shaped through thematic and curatorial frameworks and connecting communities through artistic practice and supporting both early-career and established creatives. It is now an integral part of the city’s social and urban fabric.