Dubai To Become ‘Open Air Gallery’ Under New Initiative

Dubai will soon become an ‘open air gallery’, with plans to introduce various art exhibits across the city under a new initiative launched by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Dubbed ‘Dubai Speaks to You’, the project is the first to be introduced under the Dubai Media Office’s marketing initiative, Brand Dubai, official news agency WAM reported.

Brand Dubai is collaborating with several property developers in the city including Nakheel, Meydan, Emaar, Dubai Holding and Meraas Holding, to make prime locations across the emirate available for UAE artists to work on, whether it’s street art, installations, photography or sculpture, the report said.

Sheikh Mohammed invited wide participation, saying, “We are giving you the opportunity to make your city into an open air museum – Dubai is your canvas.

“We celebrate innovation, art and beauty. Your talent, and creativity will invite visitors, citizens and residents to explore the many facets of Dubai’s rich diversity and pioneering spirit. And this is an invitation to all artists in the UAE who want to participate in this project.”

He added: “Dubai’s artists, innovators and creative talent are integral partners in its development, and through their work, they can capture its unique essence and voice.”

Brand Dubai will co-ordinate between real estate developers and the participating artists to implement the project and all the three parties will establish a set of criteria before making a final decision regarding the proposed works, authorities said.

Mona Ghanem Al Marri, director general of the Government of Dubai Media Office said: “Public spaces are the essence of the look and feel of a city and this is why we are launching this project. We want people to experience Dubai’s dynamism.

“From the moment a visitor lands in our city until the moment he or she leaves, we want Dubai to surprise and delight them. We want Dubai to linger in people’s minds. Other than a city’s architectural landmarks and we have plenty of those, the true soul of a city is its culture, its heritage, its creators and innovators.”

Dubai is rapidly improving and diversifying its entertainment offerings as it looks to grow tourist numbers. The emirate is also focusing on increasing its marketing both locally and globally.

In January, Dubai also established a new body, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) to promote and market the ‘Dubai brand’ across the world.