Revealed: How Dubai will revive its famed arts scene

Dubai - Helping local and international artists get the inspiration is among the five pillars set for the comprehensive strategy.

Dubai is determined to revive its famed arts scene and see its cultural industry rise above the global Covid-19 crisis. On Sunday, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has revealed details of its recently announced six-year recovery plan.
Helping local and international artists get the inspiration they need and safeguarding the emirate's heritage are among the five pillars set for the comprehensive strategy, the authority said.
Last week, Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairperson of the Dubai Culture, announced the launch of the six-year strategic roadmap that primarily aims to position the emirate as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity and a thriving hub for talent. It creates a framework that can place the cultural industry on 'the fastest route to recovery' from the Covid-19 crisis.
Hala Badri, director-general of Dubai Culture, said: "Dubai Culture seeks, through its strategic roadmap, to consolidate the pivotal role that the authority plays in supporting the government's efforts in stimulating the economic growth of Dubai.
"(The authority) is also committed to developing a knowledge-based environment by discovering and supporting talent, thus laying the foundations and infrastructure that are necessary to build a thriving creative economy in Dubai."
Honing talent, promoting arts
Under the first pillar of the recovery strategy, Dubai Culture will be developing educational programmes and training workshops that inspire a new generation of creative talent. It will build a creative 'ecosystem' that can endorse flexible policies to attract global talent.
"The authority seeks to collaborate with educational institutions to build and develop talent in various sectors of arts, creative and culture, and to provide them with the opportunity to obtain education, live, work and prosper in one of the safest, friendly and vibrant cities in the world," Badri said.
The second pillar aims to make culture accessible to everyone everywhere - integrating art and creativity within Dubai and stimulating the participation of all segments of society.
Nurturing the business environment of the creative sector as a key contributor to Dubai's economic growth is the focus of the third pillar, the authority explained. A platform will be developed to help promising talents flourish and make vital contributions to the economy. This objective, it added, calls for a strong framework of regulations and policies.
Then, to enhance Dubai's position as a global cultural destination - which is the fourth pillar - it will continue to support cultural tourism in the emirate by celebrating its rich heritage and distinct identity and ensure this is promoted globally.
Dubai Culture believes that safeguarding heritage - the fifth pillar - is not only an initiative, but an obligation. Heritage is irreplaceable as it is a national legacy that is passed from generation to generation. Preserving it should be at the forefront of local and federal agendas through key actions such as the introduction of regulations, laws or the encouragement of agencies, the authority said.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com 

• Dubai