Latest applications designed to improve and enhance visitor experiences to cultural and artistic locations across the Emirate
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, is participating at the 36th GITEX Technology Week, held 16 – 20 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The Authority is showcasing a number of its IT applications and smart services including a recently updated application for Dubai Public Library, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority smart application, and ‘Creatopia’ – the government-empowered virtual platform for the creative community.
Dubai Culture’s participation at GITEX demonstrates pilot project which uses ‘light fidelity’ technology for internet connections at its cultural and heritage sites. The visible light communications system runs wireless communications travelling at very high speeds. Following the pilot installation of the projection, the Authority will explore the possibility of implementing this technology across all of its cultural and heritage sites and facilities.
The Authority is also revealing the modified version of its website, as well as a new service to transfer books between the branches of Dubai Public Library on board remote auto-piloted drones, marking a first of its kind in the world. Acting Director General of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, His Excellency Saeed Al Nabouda said: “Dubai Culture embraces the very latest in technological advances in order to engage with customers and visitors.
Our IT initiatives are part of our efforts to promote and implement the directives of Dubai’s wise leadership around further driving innovation across our offerings. Furthermore, the Authority efforts have recently been recognised with an ‘ISO’ certificate for Information Technology services as a testament of its commitment of providing the best services to our visitors. In addition, the Authority continues developments to its services aim towards contributing towards raising the levels of happiness and well-being of all segments of society.” Dubai Culture is also providing a demonstration of the online creative platform Creatopia at GITEX.
This interactive initiative is designed to promote partnership, engagement and collaborative communication within both new and established members of the culture, arts and heritage communities.
Additionally, the Authority is showcasing the updated version of the Dubai Public Library application, which provides a whole host of services to library members and public users.
Acting Director of Information Technology Department of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Mohamed Yousif Al Hammadi said: “Our participation at GITEX provides us with an ideal platform to understand all of our target audience’s interests and preferences for technology services – including government agencies, visitors and customers.
The solutions that we are showcasing demonstrate our ability to keep up with the latest technological developments, and communicate with younger generations in a way that suits them – especially in light of the high use of smartphones among this important target market”. In addition, all visitors to the Dubai Culture stand will have the chance to win an iPhone smart device, with lucky winners announced at a draw towards the end of each day at GITEX.
About Dubai Culture & Arts Authority:
The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) was launched on March 8, 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in order to drive the growth of the city’s artistic and cultural landscape. The Authority has grown to play a major role in the realization of the Dubai Plan 2021, to highlight Dubai as a thriving capital for creative industries and further embed the Emirate’s credentials as a city of happy, creative and empowered people.
As part of its mandate, Dubai Culture has several initiatives that are focused on strengthening both the historic and modern cultural fabric of Dubai, including Dubai Art Season – the city’s premier umbrella arts initiative which kicks off with Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and encompasses Art Week including Art Dubai, Design Days Dubai, and SIKKA Art Fair, Middle East Film & Comic Con, SIKKA Art Fair – an annual event aimed at promoting Emirati and local artists in the UAE and the wider GCC region, Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre – an annual festival that fosters the art of theatre in the UAE and that is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2016, and Dubai Next – a dynamic platform that aims to showcase the Emirate’s cultural ethos and its vibrant creative scene on the global stage.
The Authority’s other key initiatives include Creatopia the nation’s first government empowered virtual community that guides and nurtures the creative culture of the nation and provides a platform of information and opportunities that lead to exposure and personal growth.
Dubai Culture also plays a leading role in support of the UAE National Strategy for Reading 2026, in particular by undertaking a major refurbishment of all Dubai Public Library branches to transform them into state-of-art cultural and artistic hubs. Across all of its branches, Dubai Public Library also provides children and young adults with a range of educational and entertaining activities that encourage the use of its facilities. The ‘Our Summer is Filled with Culture & Arts Programme’ is a Dubai Public Library initiative which complements the UAE National Reading Strategy, with its activities open to all age groups, and which revolve around four key themes: happiness, reading, family and the future.
The Authority also manages more than 17 heritage sites across the Emirate, and is a key government stakeholder in the development of the Dubai Historical District. As the custodian Authority of Dubai’s museum sector, Dubai Culture will officially launch Etihad Museum and in December 2016. The museum will provide platform to encourage cultural exchange and to connect Emirati youth with their culture and history. As part of the Authority mandate to support Dubai’s vision of becoming the focal point of diverse cultural exchange (regionally & globally), the museums will play a catalyst role in preserving Emirati Heritage.
