Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the emirate’s dedicated entity for heritage, arts and culture is marking the ‘UAE Innovation Week’ with a week-long programme of activities aimed at nurturing the spirit of creative innovation and promoting the cultural scene of Dubai through talent development.
The various events organized by Dubai Culture include the launch of a virtual cultural platform, a children’s creative workshop and the roll out of Art Lab that aims to stimulate innovative thinking for creative solutions within the sector.
To go to the calendar of events click here
Dubai Culture will also launch a book that highlights the insights and experiences of artists and other stakeholders who share the Emirate’s accomplishments in fostering an environment of creativity and cultural innovation.
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: “The UAE Innovation Week is a powerful platform launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to build a strong foundation of innovative thinking and creative approaches to enhance the quality of life for UAE residents and achieve our Vision 2021 to be among the best nations in the world.”
“Through our participation in the UAE Innovation Week, we are revisiting the existing creative landscape and implementing several strategic initiatives that will tap into the power of innovation to strengthen our cultural scene. The various activities are aimed at encouraging residents to take an active role in reshaping in the cultural landscape of Dubai and the UAE,” she said.
Dubai Culture will launch a smart and dynamic virtual home for the creative community on November 23, which will be complemented with the launch of the book on Dubai’s creative scene.
Tomorrow, Dubai Culture will also partner with Dubai Design District (d3) and Rochester Institute of Technology to organise a children’s ‘Makey-Makey’ workshop at d3, Building 7 from 3pm to 5.30pm. Open for children from 4 to 12 years, ‘MaKey’ is a creative kit that helps children to turn anything into an electronic creation.
This workshop will provide children with activities that promote computational thinking and interactive design. By using ‘Makey-Makey’, they can turn everyday materials into innovative controllers. Entry is for 60 children and those who are interested can register online at:
Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, Chief Operating Officer of d3, said: “Innovation is the core of both d3 and design and so participating in Innovation Week by engaging with families and children through bespoke interactive workshops like Makey-Makey is fundamentally important as we, at d3, hope to unite the creative community to ignite and inspire the innovators of the future.”
The Art Lab, will be held over two days in Al Serkal Avenue, on November 25 and 26, to be attended by about 70 representatives of Dubai’s creative sector including artists, gallerists, studios, government officials and the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. It will discuss the challenges currently faced by creatives in Dubai, prioritising the most urgent areas of need, before considering the opportunities best suited to government intervention. The Art Lab will be led by experts through a detailed orientation to open up the entrepreneurial mind-set, inspiration briefing, visualisation exercises and brainstorming sessions.
Dubai Culture plays a pivotal role in driving awareness of and strengthening Emirati heritage and national identity. It is committed to cultivating the cultural landscape of Dubai by building on the Emirate’s rich heritage, and by nurturing and promoting talent. The diverse activities of Dubai Culture all-year-round are aimed at encouraging intercultural dialogue and supporting initiatives that enrich the community.