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Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has hosted a ‘Creative Economy Youth Circle’ for the first time at SIKKA Art Fair, with the aim of educating and empowering youth to become the main drivers of the creative economy. SIKKA Art Fair, held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of Dubai Culture, will draw to a close at the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood on 26 March 2018.
The ‘Creative Economy Youth Circle’ was attended by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and key figures from public and private sector arts and cultural institutions, such as Acting Director General at Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Nabouda, Chief of Creativity, Happiness and Innovation at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) Hind Almualla, Director of Art Dubai, Myrna Ayad, Associate Dean at Dubai institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), Hani Asfour and Chairman of the Emirates Fine Arts Society, Nasser Abdullah, as well as university students, academics, members of the ‘Youth X Hub’ and a number of artists participating in the SIKKA Art Fair.
The ‘Creative Economy Youth Circle’ invited over 30 young Emiratis representing different genders, fields and age groups to participate in the dialogue, providing each participant with equal opportunities to share their opinions on shaping new policies for the arts and culture sectors. The topics discussed included how youth can turn their creative skills into business opportunities, how social media and digital technology can positively impact the development of art and culture in the UAE, and how the UAE can develop programmes to enable people of determination to become active contributors to the industry.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said: “Youth have always been at the centre of our leadership's efforts, with decrees, decisions and initiatives focused on their pivotal role in the nation's 47-year-long development. SIKKA Art Fair in this context is a manifestation of this ongoing support in the arts and culture sector, with focus on creating a sustainable arts ecosystem that paves the way for a stronger creative economy where young talents in the wider spectrum of the arts industry are active contributors to the national economy. Since its inception in 2010, we have attracted young talents, honed their experiences and placed them at the forefront of the sustainability challenge — which is now more urgent than ever. I believe that our collective efforts, alongside our stakeholders, put us on the right track which has been set by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and to which Emirates Youth Council has responded with the Youth Circles initiative.”
HH further said: “During the SIKKA Youth Circle, we have discussed with our partners ways of engaging locally based youth more effectively in our diverse initiatives centred around the creative economy, while addressing existing gaps—structural or educational—and identifying concrete mechanisms to maximise opportunities for entrepreneurship in the creative sector.”
SIKKA Art Fair provided an ideal platform for hosting the ‘Creative Economy Youth Circle’ as the fair is dedicated to emerging artists. The event gave Dubai Culture a valuable opportunity to hear directly from members of the creative community about the future of the industry. Through the initiative, the Authority spearheaded innovative methods for encouraging creativity and positioned the younger generation as the pioneers of contemporary cultural design in a manner that will create long-term sustainable benefits. The initiative, which was brought to SIKKA in partnership with the Emirate’s Youth Council, supported Dubai Culture’s vision of establishing Dubai as a global, creative and sustainable city for culture, heritage, arts and literature.
SIKKA Art Fair is the first annual initiative of its kind focused on supporting and showcasing Emirati, UAE and GCC-based artists, offering a unique platform for regional and local emerging talent to showcase their work via a range of exciting exhibitions, art installations, workshops, film, music and performing arts. In line with the Dubai Plan 2021, the Fair also works to raise happiness and positive energy across all communities in Dubai by providing visitors with an opportunity to experience and celebrate the home-grown talent that is driving Dubai’s thriving arts scene.
The ‘Youth Circles’ initiative, which is governed by the Emirates Youth Council, was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to inspire youth-centric dialogue across a variety of areas for sustainable engagement and to shape innovative solutions to global challenges.
SIKKA Art Fair complements the city-wide activation of cultural events taking place during the fifth edition of Dubai Art Season, which runs throughout March and April 2018 and features events such as the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Art Dubai, DIFC Art Nights and the Middle East Film & Comic Con, among hundreds of other initiatives.
To view the full Dubai Art Season Calendar, visit:
Web: www.dubaiculture.gov.ae
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DubaiCultureArtsAuthority
Twitter: @DubaiCulture
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/DubaiCulture
Instagram: @dubaiculture
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