Dubai Culture and Arts Authority launched

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, today issued a decree establishing the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

He also issued another decree appointing HH Sheikh Mayed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Chairman of Culture and Arts Authority, and Dr Omar bin Sulaiman as member of the board and managing director in Charge.

The authority has been mandated with creating a culture and Arts infrastructure that positions Dubai as a vibrant, global city helping to shape 21st Century culture and arts in the region and the world. It will be at the forefront of the culture strategy, set out by Sheikh Mohammed as part of the overall Dubai Strategy 2015.

Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Board Member and Managing Director in Charge of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority said "The Authority will build on Dubai's status as one of the most multicultural cities in the world, where East meets West, and will actively encourage Dubai's community that embraces over 200 nationalities living and working together in harmony to contribute to the culture and heritage renaissance." He added that the launch of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority reflects Sheikh Mohammed's belief that culture and arts can make a major contribution to the social development of Dubai and the UAE. Building bridges and celebrating cultures from around the region and the world are key elements of Sheikh Mohammed's culture and heritage vision.

Sulaiman noted as developing and delivering outstanding international, regional and local cultural programming, the Culture and Arts Authority will support local and home grown talent and productions. It will work to preserve and promote local Emirati heritage, while, at the same time attracting the world's leading artists and cultural thinkers to become part of Dubai's modern renaissance. It will also promote and export Dubai's arts and culture to the region and the world.

The board of directors consists of Mohammed Al Murr, vice chairman, Dr Omar bin Sulaiman as member of the board and managing director in Charge, and members of Sheikh Majed Jaber Hamoud Al Sabah; HE Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Paulo Coelho, Kito Mark Antonio De Boer, Omar Obaid Ghubash, Abdul Hameed Mohammed Juma, Yasser Saeed Hareb, Dr Aisha Khalifa Bulkhair, Dr Lamees Hamdan Al Shamsi, Shamsa Majed Quraiban, and Saeb Eigner.

The authority will develop a world-class arts and cultural infrastructure in Dubai. It will focus on creating an environment for creativity and innovation in visual arts, theatre, music, literature, poetry and various other arts. Several new cultural, arts and heritage entities will be created to drive innovative programs in all culture areas by working directly with leading global partners, arts organisations and Dubai's multicultural communities, will also be established.

A key part of the authority's work will be to incorporate arts and culture into the daily lifestyle of Dubai and use the arts to create synergies between Dubai's different cultures and to build a strong, unique cultural identity for all of Dubai. (WAM)