Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid has launched a new program to support Dubai’s cultural and creative industries, following directives from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid.
The ‘Creative Sector Resilience Portfolio’, introduced by the Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, forms part of a Dh1 billion package of measures for the economic sector.
The program is built around five areas, such as cultural infrastructure, creative production, participation and audiences, talent development and cultural impact, and is intended to support professionals while expanding the role of the creative economy.
Sheikha Latifa said the initiative reflects Dubai’s approach to managing change while supporting creativity as part of long-term economic activity. She said the focus remains on investing in people and improving access to opportunities across the sector.
She added that partnerships between government entities, private organisations and the wider community will play a role in creating new business opportunities across creative fields.
The program follows a workshop organised by Dubai Culture with the Dubai Future Foundation, which brought together leaders from cultural and creative institutions to assess readiness and future requirements.
The portfolio will be rolled out in stages, with each phase introducing initiatives that provide access to workspaces, funding, training and market opportunities.
Under the cultural infrastructure component, free venues will be offered in co-operation with Dubai Municipality, Dubai CommerCity, Expo City Dubai, Dubai Holding Asset Management, DIFC and Dubai South. Dubai Culture will also provide space within its own facilities, while Letswork will offer affordable workspaces.
The creative production component includes funding programmes such as the Dubai Cultural Grant, a micro-grants initiative with Art Jameel, a commissioning program with Luxuriant Design and exhibition support through Art Dubai.
The talent development component will continue through training and e-learning programs in partnership with LinkedIn, alongside workshops and cultural activities.
The participation and audiences component focuses on promotion through digital platforms, with retail and exhibition opportunities available through Majid Al Futtaim’s ‘Ma’an’ program.
The cultural impact component will see creative work displayed on outdoor billboards across Dubai in collaboration with PHI Advertising.
Sheikha Latifa said the program will support cultural institutions, small businesses and artists, helping the sector respond to changing conditions.