Invitation to all Emirati, UAE-based and GCC artists for online registration
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, is now accepting submissions for the seventh edition of Sikka Art Fair 2017, to be held 11-21 March 2017 in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. The invitation for submissions extends to talented Emirati, UAE-based and GCC artists and collectives, working across the visual and performing arts, music and film sectors. Registration for all submissions can be made on the Dubai Culture website.
Sikka Art Fair is Dubai Art Season’s flagship initiative, the annual umbrella arts programme, which is a lively and colourful activation of arts held during March and April, engaging the community across public spaces, outdoor art projects, interactive initiatives, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions, performances and many more.
Moza Suwaidan, Director of Projects & Events at Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “Year after year, the Sikka Art Fair proves its position as the definitive platform for Emirati, UAE-based and GCC artists, and as an inspirational art movement in the UAE. The Authority welcomes talented artists from many different sectors to participate in this extensive programme of activities, where they will benefit from a platform that reaches a wide international audience”.
Suwaidan added: “Through its broad-range of other initiatives, Dubai Culture engages Dubai’s wider community to think creatively while supporting talented artists to showcase their skills across a number of different creative disciplines. As we continue to enrich future editions of the Sikka Art Fair with new projects, the Emirate reputation as a city of happy, creative and empowered people that is commitment to nurturing established and emerging talent is further embedded.”
Sikka Art Fair’s last edition in 2016 hosted an exciting line-up of poetry recitals, workshops, improvisational performances, music, dance and plays, with participation from local, regional and international artists in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai.
Registration in Sikka art Fair 2017 can be made on the Dubai Culture website: dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/Pages/Sikka-Form.aspx
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.
