Dubai Culture announces Sikka Art Fair at Al Bastakiya to promote Emirati and local artists
- The first of its kind initiative by Dubai Culture to create a platform for Emirati and local artists to showcase and promote their work
- To be held from March 12 to 21, 2011, the Fair will feature works by upcoming Emirati artists
- Part of the Authority’s strategy to underscore Dubai’s status as the regional hub for culture and the arts
Dubai, UAE; March, 2011: In a first of its kind initiative aimed at promoting Emirati and local artists, the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is hosting the Sikka Art Fair from March 12 to 21, 2011, at Al Bastakiya, one of the vibrant centres of Dubai’s cultural activities and artistic heritage.
The Sikka Art Fair will feature artworks by upcoming Emirati and UAE-based artists, galleries, and institutions, and is open for the public.
Dr Salah Al Qassim, Advisor to Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “Over the years, Emirati and local artists have created a rich artistic heritage in Dubai. With the Sikka Art Fair, the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority is creating a robust new platform that showcases their creativity, thus opening doors for them to a wider audience.” He added: “The choice of Al Bastakiya, the cornerstone of the city’s cultural and artistic fabric, as the venue for the event further underscores our commitment to highlight the rich artistic heritage of Dubai. The Sikka Art Fair will not only inspire our young artistic community but also set a new benchmark for Emirati artists. It will play a significant role in further driving the rich artistic infrastructure of Dubai by providing important community spaces that offer opportunities for Emirati and local artists.”
The Fair is aimed at fostering and promoting Emirati artistic content creation, and establishing a platform for these artists to present their works to a wider audience. The Sikka Art Fair is being held in what is undisputedly the highest point in the art calendar of Dubai, as the city hosts initiatives like Art Dubai, where the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority presents the Global Art Forum_5, which brings together artists from around the world for active dialogue and interaction with the local community.
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Note to Editors
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 & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Dubai Culture plays a critical part in achieving the vision of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 of establishing the city as vibrant, global Arabian metropolis that shapes culture and arts in the region and the world. The organisation has announced several initiatives that strengthen the historic and modern cultural fabric of Dubai. These include: Muhammad the Messenger Museum: The first project of its kind in the world to focus on and highlight the life and message of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him). Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre: An annual festival that celebrates and fosters the art of theatre in the UAE. Dubai Next: To encourage and sponsor initiatives that contribute actively to the development of the cultural events and activities in Dubai. Recently, Dubai Culture showcased Dubai's aspirations in culture to an international audience at one of the world's most prestigious platforms, the Art Basel 39 art fair. Gulf Film Festival: Dubai Culture recognises that a healthy film industry is necessary to take stories about Dubai's culture, traditions, history and contemporary lifestyle to the world. Khor Dubai: A living museum that celebrates the multicultural diversity of Dubai. The Holy Lands: A collaboration with the unique and creatively rich Reiss Engelhorn Museen of Mannheim to bring an exclusive collection of never before exhibited rare photographs to the region and more specifically Dubai.
For more information, please contact:
Nivine William / Sara Hamam
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 3344550
n.william@asdaa.com, s.hamam@asdaa.com