Latifa bint Mohammed launches Creative Sector Resilience Portfolio to support Dubai’s creative economy

Dubai: In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, to provide support measures for the economic sector with a total value of AED1 billion, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has launched the Creative Sector Resilience Portfolio. Built around five pillars—Cultural Infrastructure, Creative Production, Participation and Audiences, Talent Development, and Cultural Impact—the portfolio aims to strengthen Dubai’s creative ecosystem and enhance its adaptability. It supports skilled professionals while driving the sector’s long‑term growth as a key contributor to Dubai’s economy. Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the Creative Sector Resilience Portfolio reflects Dubai’s proactive approach to navigating current developments with efficiency, while reinforcing the emirate’s ability to position creativity as a sustainable economic driver. She added that the initiative also reflects Dubai’s belief in investing in people as the foundation for shaping the future. “Dubai continues to play a leading role in empowering the cultural sector and advancing its creative industries through innovative solutions that build capability and sharpen the capacity to anticipate and adapt to challenges, while opening greater access to markets. This is supported by integrated strategic partnerships that reflect shared responsibility between government, the private sector, and the wider community, creating new pathways for business growth across creative fields,” she said. Her Highness also expressed confidence in the portfolio’s ability to enrich the emirate’s cultural landscape through facilitations that support cultural and creative institutions, small and medium‑sized enterprises, and talented artists, while equipping the sector to respond to evolving conditions and keep pace with future developments. The portfolio is one of the key outcomes of the Creative Sector Resilience workshop organised by Dubai Culture in collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation. The workshop brought together leaders from cultural, heritage, artistic, and creative institutions across the emirate to strengthen ecosystem readiness and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. Structured around five interconnected pillars, the portfolio will be delivered in phases, with each stage introducing a package of initiatives that provide creatives and cultural institutions with access to spaces, funding, professional development, and market opportunities. Agreements have been reached with a number of public‑ and private‑sector partners to coordinate efforts and expand collaboration, strengthening sector resilience and ensuring continued growth and sustainability. The Cultural Infrastructure pillar focuses on access to spaces and assets. Free, multipurpose venues will be made available to members of the creative community in collaboration with Dubai Municipality, Dubai CommerCity, House of Arts at Expo City Dubai, Dubai Holding Asset Management, Dubai International Financial Centre, and Dubai South. Dubai Culture will also provide dedicated space within its own assets, with affordable workspaces offered through Letswork, enabling creatives to showcase their work and build professional networks. The Creative Production pillar supports funding and commissioning through initiatives including the Dubai Cultural Grant, a micro‑grants programme with Art Jameel, a micro‑commissioning programme with Luxuriant Design, and an exhibition grant in collaboration with Art Dubai. The Talent Development pillar connects creatives with audiences and markets by continuing the e‑learning initiative in partnership with LinkedIn, alongside cultural activation programmes, workshops, and training courses. The Participation and Audiences pillar focuses on promotional and media support across digital platforms to spotlight local talent, with retail and exhibition opportunities provided through Majid Al Futtaim’s Ma’an programme, which offers complimentary spaces within the group’s assets. The Cultural Impact pillar transforms Dubai into an open‑air gallery. In collaboration with PHI Advertising, creative works will be displayed on outdoor billboards across the emirate, bringing art into the public realm and reinforcing Dubai’s cultural identity.