Our work in arts and the creative economy | British Council United Arab Emirates

Overview of our work in arts and the creative economy

Through our arts work in the United Arab Emirates we build strong relationships between artists, producers, festivals, venues, curators and directors in the UK and their UAE counterparts. We collaboratively develop and curate a number of exciting new projects in theatre, dance, music, film and interdisciplinary creativity.

Our programmes not only resonate with our cultural agenda, but most importantly, with our partners’ needs and aspirations. As a part of our creative economy programme, we educate young professionals and forge connections between the growing creative industries in the UK and UAE.

The Place I Call Home

The Place I Call Home is a contemporary exhibition of photography commissioned by the British Council and curated by David Drake, Director of Ffotogallery Wales, that presents the work of artists from both the United Kingdom and The Gulf, as they explore the idea of ‘home’ at a time of rapid change. Originally to be displayed in the Maraya Art Centre in Sharjah, UAE, from 8 March – 31 May 2020, the exhibition has now gone online in response to Covid-19. Through this digitisation, audiences can enjoy a 360-degree visual walk-through tour, all from the comfort of their own home.

New research on festival skills in the Gulf region

Festivals are an important part of economic diversification plans in the GCC, both as a means for developing tourism, and to provide people with access to cultural events that celebrate everything from national heritage through to sports and contemporary art.

Bringing art to life in public spaces for everyone

Our new report on art in the public realm looks at the current and future potential for public art in United Arab Emirates. Download it now.

Celebrating creative collaboration

UK/UAE 2017 season of arts and events in the UAE aimed at building new audiences, creating new collaborations and strengthening relationships.

Cultural Excellence Fellowship

British Council and ADMAF meet the group of 20 young Emiratis and 12 UAE-based professionals to launch the Cultural Excellence Fellowship Programme

Design Connections

Design Connections is the British Council’s annual industry networking programme. Taking place during the London Design Festival – one of the biggest design festivals in the world – it offers directors and curators from design museums, centres and festivals around the world an inspiring and immersive introduction to the best of the festival, alongside meetings with leading designers and organisations.

Promoting diversity through culture

Building skills for the next generation through creativity, innovation and teamwork Our work in the arts helps break down barriers to encourage participation in culture across the Gulf region. Our showcase programmes have allowed cultural exchanges to take place between the UK and the Gulf, with a number of events which help build skills, teamwork and celebrate creativity and innovation. In United Arab Emirates this work has included:

Shubbak Festival

SHUBBAK A WINDOW ON CONTEMPORARY ARAB CULTURE

Our global work in arts

Main photo credit: Mark Wallinger’s White Horse (2013) exhibited outside British Council Head Quarters, Spring Gardens, London. Image © Peter White. Our work in the arts aims to promote the UK’s diverse culture, creativity and innovation overseas. We work across the art forms and with the best of British talent to develop artistic programmes and opportunities for collaboration in United Arab Emirates.