Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is proceeding with its efforts to engage with the local creative community and motivate its pioneers to enrich Dubai’s cultural scene with their contributions. In this context, Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, toured some of the retail stores and showrooms in the creative complex at Dubai Design District, which is considered an ideal platform for design talent in the emirate.

Hala Badri was accompanied by Khadija Al Bastaki, Executive Director of Dubai Design District, and viewed the exhibits created by Emiratis and UAE residents, whereby she discussed work conditions and prospects for development with some entrepreneurs.

The Director General stressed that this visit falls in line with the Authority’s keenness to follow up with Dubai’s cultural scene and the creativity instilled within it. She said: “Dubai Culture is committed to exercising its role of supporting, encouraging, directing and organising cultural work in the emirate as part of the Authority’s vision to maintaining its proximity to the artists and creators who constitute the pulse of the creative community to motivate and encourage them. Dubai Design District is a home for design entrepreneurs who empower the local design industry and push forward the innovation process that shapes the cultural movement in the emirate.

Badri added: “Dubai Culture is keen to nurture and embrace the distinguished local design talents as well as to provide an environment that would support their growth and promote their businesses on their path towards broader horizons; this contributes to the advancement of this vital sector that is supportive of the national economy. As such, the Authority is strengthening its cooperation with its partners who are active in the creative sector, such as Dubai Design District with whom we have been associated with since its establishment. We will continue our joint cooperation through which we seek to consolidate Dubai’s position as a promising global destination in the field of design as well as its cultural footprint on the global stage.”

Khadija Al Bastaki, Executive Director of Dubai Design District, said: “As a key contributor to the creative and design ecosystem in Dubai, we are proud to be working closely with the Dubai Culture team to cement Dubai’s position as a leading international hub for innovation and talent. This visit is an opportunity to showcase the key milestones D3 and its partners have accomplished over the years, including the achievement of sub-sectors, such as architecture, fashion, art and design.”

Al Bastaki added: “Today, our robust design community caters to the needs of local and international companies by empowering talents and facilitating their networking and business opportunities. We are proud to be home to some of the world’s leading design entities and talents that collectively shape the emirate’s knowledge- and innovation-based economy.”

The tour included a visit to the Fatima Bin Mohammed Bin Zayed Initiative, Hessa Al Falasi (shop), Dubai Institute of Design, Styled Habitat (interior design studio), Noor The Label (fashion store), Consentino, Michael Cinco (fashion store), AlBAL (design studio), Maison Yeya  (fashion store), Nafs (fashion store), N.Sefi Jewellery & Piercings, and The Cap Project (women fashion).

This visit came as part of the vital role played by Dubai Culture as the custodian of the cultural sector in the emirate. It also forms part of the priorities of the Authority’s updated strategy that is aimed at empowering creativity and innovators and enhancing the creative economy in the emirate as well as at consolidating Dubai’s position as a global centre for art and culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.