Cultural Policy in Dubai

Cultural policy

Dubai, a global city at the intersection of heritage and innovation, is embedding culture and creativity at the heart of its transformation. With a clear vision to become a global cultural hub, Dubai’s approach is rooted in preserving its rich heritage, embracing diversity, and empowering creative expression as key pillars of economic growth and social cohesion. 

Cultural governance in Dubai is managed by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority which was set up in 2008 to promote the growth of Dubai’s creative sector and safeguard the emirate’s heritage. This includes the management of five of the city’s notable heritage monuments, six museums, and eight branches of Dubai Public Libraries. The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority leads strategic efforts under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ensuring policies and programmes are inclusive, future-focused, and rooted in the city’s unique cultural identity. 

Dubai’s current strategic cultural planning document is the roadmap to 2025, which was approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and led by its Chairperson, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.  

The roadmap charts the Emirate’s ambition to transform into a global centre for culture, a thriving hub for talent, and an incubator for creativity – making Dubai one of the leading cultural destinations in the region and a creative metropolis. Dubai aims to be a platform for diverse regional and global cultural exchange and innovation, and to foster a sustainable cultural ecosystem, while nurturing talent to enhance cultural diversity and social cohesion. A new strategy will be launched shortly.

Dubai continues to invest in expanding its cultural infrastructure and ecosystem. Major redevelopment and adaptive reuse projects, such as Al Shindagha Historic Neighborhood and the revitalization of Al Quoz Creative Zone are enabling accessible, community-centred cultural spaces. The emirate is also rolling out innovation-driven initiatives that support the creative economy, including cultural incubators, regulatory reforms, and integrated platforms for creators. 

Cultural programmes

The Emirate’s main cultural seasons take place in the winter months, with key events including Dubai Art Season in March and Dubai Design Week in November. These festivals are an opportunity to celebrate city wide. For example, Art Week also includes activities and events like Sikka Art Fair, Art Dubai and Art Week at Alserkal Avenue, as well as a range of outdoor programming and public art projects, interactive initiatives, workshops and exhibitions that celebrates the Emirate’s growing creativity.

In 2021 Dubai hosted the World Expo under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future‘ which focused on partnerships and cooperation, acting as a catalyst to connect minds from around the world, and inspire participants to mobilise around shared challenges. 

The legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai continues to shape the city’s innovation narrative. Landmark institutions like the Museum of the Future and the evolving Expo City Dubai offer spaces for experimentation, cross-sector collaboration, and the convergence of technology, sustainability, and culture. 

Cultural heritage and infrastructure

Culture and tourism are seen as crucial in diversifying Dubai’s economy. Tourism is steadily increasing, and developing in tandem with the cultural sector. Dubai is also home to 190 nationalities, witnessing a growing demand for diversified cultural offerings for its residents as well as its visitors.

The city’s founding prosperity from pearls is celebrated in Khor Dubai. The natural seawater inlet of the Arabian Gulf is located in the heart of Dubai and the Khor (creek) divides the city into two parts: Bur Dubai and Deira, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the creek and the seashore are still found the traditional boat-building areas where large wooden boats are built, restored and maintained by skilled workers and naval entrepreneurs.

As the United Arab Emirates continues to modernise and develop, recent projects have focused on preserving and celebrating the nation’s heritage and history. From The Etihad Museum to the transformation of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, and the Al Shindagha Museum, there has been a wave of investment in the nation’s unique cultural fabric. 

Community engagement, social impact and policy innovation

The Government of Dubai has made major investments to develop the city’s infrastructure, broaden its offer, and providing adequate policies, subsidies, support systems, and services to increase its attractiveness to the cultural and creative sectors.  

There has been an increased awareness in Dubai of the need to conserve and promote the Emirate’s heritage and cultural identity. This has encouraged the development of strategies to increase cultural participation and engagement of the local community and residents and plans to strengthen Dubai’s position as the region’s leading cultural destination.  

With the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy aiming to grow the number of cultural and creative enterprises to 15,000, create 140,000 jobs, and contribute 5% to GDP by 2026, Dubai is accelerating its shift from consumer to producer of culture. Through continued investment in innovation, heritage preservation, and global creative exchange, Dubai is defining a new model of cultural capital, one where modernity and identity move forward together. 

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