DCT Abu Dhabi developed the emirate’s Culture Sector Strategy with an aim of strengthening the foundations and infrastructure of Abu Dhabi’s cultural ecosystem. To achieve this, five strategic objectives were set: to preserve and sustain Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage; to increase awareness of and engagement with, cultural heritage and the arts; to stimulate creativity as a driver for education and social change; to build and enable capacity in Abu Dhabi’s culture sector; and lastly, to contribute to economic growth and diversification.
HE Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said “having gathered all of our the recent culture sector milestones and statistics for display in an exhibition, it is clear to see that we have achieved much in a short amount of time – and excitingly, we still have many projects in the pipeline. The most significant of these is Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, which will further shape the distinctive features of Saadiyat Cultural District to form the vibrant new cultural heart of the capital.”
Many of the ambitious targets and goals set across these objectives have been achieved or are on track to be realized in the near future.
Preserving and sustaining Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage. A significant achievement for the protection of Intangible Heritage has been the successful inscription of eight elements on the UNESCO Lists of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the work and dossiers for six of which were led by the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The inscribed heritage elements are Falconry, Al Sadu (weaving), Al Ayyala (traditional group performance), Al Taghrooda (poetry), Gahwa (Arabic coffee), Majlis (council gathering), Al Azi and Al Razfa (both traditional performing arts).
Significant progress has been made in recording oral histories, as can be seen with the successful annual GCC Heritage & Oral History Conference and also important programmes implemented by other cultural institutions. To support artisans and engage the public with traditional products and practices, DCT Abu Dhabi organizes Al Ain’s annual Traditional Handicrafts Festival and actively supports and participates in Heritage festivals in the emirate and across the region.
In addition to preserving the heritage of the ancient past, DCT Abu Dhabi is pioneering a new initiative for the conservation of the emirate’s modern heritage, which celebrates the achievements of our recent past including culturally significant sites and structures.
Increasing awareness of and engagement with cultural heritage and the arts Abu Dhabi Classics, Bait Al Oud, and Umsiyat are just some the numerous performing arts initiatives, while a wide and diverse visual arts programme runs across the emirate’s cultural centre and venues such as Manarat Al Saadiyat and Cultural Foundation, where exhibitions and Artists in Residence programmes take place alongside a year-round calendar of workshops, educational and cultural initiatives.
Stimulating creativity as a driver for education and for social change DCT-Abu Dhabi has also implemented youth-oriented cultural education initiatives such as the Talent Development Programme, which identifies and nurtures the artistic development of gifted and talented students.
New policies and strategies to build and nurture the sector are planned, in line with Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Heritage Law.
Building and enabling capacity in Abu Dhabi’s culture sector to contribute to economic growth and diversification, DCT Abu Dhabi looks to further nurture the market, create a lasting social and economic impact, and extend the culture value chain to include the dissemination and transfer of knowledge, capacity building and strong cultural partnerships.
Capacity building in the sector is being achieved through the many education programmes and facilities across the emirate, including the new higher education degrees, such as Museum Studies, being offered in universities; in addition to the Abu Dhabi Statistics Programme, Strategic Research partnerships with academies and universities, the establishment of a cultural grant programme, and cross-government policies in social and economic development.
Zayed National Museum construction is underway on Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, which will narrate the story of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding Father of the UAE and highlight the history of the region and its cultural connections with countries around the world.
Zayed National Museum will offer visitors a unique experience that engages the mind, raises questions and encourages dynamic and interactive dialogue while delving into the Founding Father’s personality and vision.
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