Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in partnership with Art Dubai, announced an open call for a new education program aimed at Emirati and UAE-based artists to enhance their public art practice. The program is part of Dubai Culture’s efforts to implement the Public Art Strategy, which seeks to transform Dubai's public spaces through visual culture, including art installations, murals, and sculptures, showcasing the emirate's dynamic artistic and cultural scene.
Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, emphasised the significance of the Public Art Strategy and its role in achieving Dubai’s vision of becoming a global hub for the creative economy, saying: “Public art is a distinctive hallmark of Dubai, showcasing its unique creative identity and the richness of its artistic landscape. It underscores Dubai’s vibrant environment that nurtures talent and develops capabilities in the arts sector, which forms an essential pillar of cultural and creative industries. The new program will foster a culture of entrepreneurship, encourage innovation among artists, and inspire them to express their experiences, ideas, and visions through compelling art pieces, allowing them to contribute to the landscape and enable them to leave a lasting legacy through artworks that have a public presence in the city, thereby enhancing cultural tourism within the emirate.”
The seven-month program, themed ‘Shaping the Future of Public Art in the UAE’, offers a comprehensive curriculum featuring interactive seminars, workshops, and hands-on sessions led by renowned art professionals and industry leaders. Mentorship will play a central role, providing artists with guidance from experienced public art practitioners on navigating this dynamic field. Selected artists will learn how to develop successful public art proposals and acquire practical skills in project management, fundraising, and understanding the legal aspects of public art projects, with support from industry experts and mentors.
Alongside the Core Education Programme is the Community Education Programme, which will consist of monthly programming featuring industry leaders and specialists, offering insight into the creative process, commissioning and curating public art, and fostering community engagement. This program part is open to all students, creative enthusiasts, and artists, fostering community interaction with Dubai’s Public Art Strategy which has already introduced several impactful projects. The first large-scale installation under the Dubai Public Art initiative, ‘Union of Artists’, was unveiled at the Al Hudaiba Public Park earlier this year. Subsequent installations included the mural ‘I am still learning’ at Al Safa Art and Design Library and the large-scale interactive sculptural playground ‘I Dreamt of a City Everyone Calls Home’ at Jameel Arts Centre.
The program, starting on Saturday, 22 February 2025, offers artists an opportunity to explore public art, expand their sector knowledge, and gain valuable exposure to both private and public sector stakeholders for potential commissioning opportunities.
Dubai Culture invites artists, designers, and architects to apply for the Core Education Programme through its website. The application deadline is Monday, 10 February 2025.