As part of their five-year partnership, the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Mubadala, through the Mubadala Foundation, have announced two new programmes, Artful Living and the House of Artisans Design Competition. The programmes will involve a series of initiatives that promote and reinforce the emirate’s cultural scene.
Artful Living marks the partnership's focus on community development and efforts toward social inclusion in the arts. The programme will feature a year-round, comprehensive activations that are dedicated to engaging senior citizens in cultural activities and arts education.
Cultural education in the lives of elderly citizens plays a role in maintaining cognitive function, reducing feelings of isolation, and promoting a sense of purpose and belonging. Recognising the role of the arts in promoting overall wellbeing, the programme aims to engage them in creative activities that not only stimulate their minds but also enhance their social interactions. By participating in these activities, elderly citizens will have the opportunity to explore their artistic talents, share their experiences, and build meaningful connections with their peers and the community.
Teaching artists involved in the programme will be equipped with specialised training to effectively support and engage senior citizens. This training ensures that the artists are well prepared to encourage the artistic expression of the elderly, thereby enriching their lives and contributing to their overall sense of wellbeing.
The House of Artisans Design Competition, curated and organised by the House of Artisans, will celebrate the rich heritage of traditional Emirati handicrafts, promote innovative art and furniture design, and support artisans in transferring their creative knowledge and techniques. The programme will invite talented students, creatives, artists, and designers that are citizens or residents of the UAE to craft works that reflect and reconnect the past and present. The works will pay homage to intricate craftsmanship while pushing the boundaries of contemporary and innovative design.
His Excellency Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the DCT – Abu Dhabi, said: “Bringing our five-year partnership with Mubadala to life, we are pleased to launch two new programmes that will see wide social inclusion across the emirates, from rising students to our valued senior citizens. These programmes demonstrate our ongoing commitment to nurture Abu Dhabi’s cultural and creative ecosystem and will further expand the potential and impact of our culture sector. Through art and cultural education, we will provide our seniors with a platform for self-expression and community connection. The design competition invites the region's most ambitious students, artists, creatives, and designers to participate in these innovative opportunities and challenge themselves to rethink about the role of heritage in design.”
Homaid Al Shimmari, Deputy Group CEO and Chief Corporate and Human Capital Officer at Mubadala, said: “This important partnership underscores our commitment to promoting Abu Dhabi’s growing cultural life and supporting our communities through education and arts. Through our joint efforts these initiatives will contribute significantly to the emirate’s arts and culture ecosystem, driving impactful change locally and globally. They will enhance the cultural vibrancy of Abu Dhabi and inspire meaningful connections and innovative expressions of our rich heritage.”
Mansour Al Ketbi, Executive Director of Digital and Corporate Services at Mubadala, said: “We are proud to be a partner on these impactful initiatives that reflect our commitment to fostering sustainable development and community empowerment. By nurturing the artistic talents of both our senior citizens and the younger generation, we are creating enduring, positive change in our communities."
Rita Aoun, Culture Sector Executive Director at the DCT – Abu Dhabi, said: "Our mandate as Abu Dhabi’s Culture Sector is to instil cultural knowledge through a diverse range of programming that nurtures artistic expression and capacity building. We empower youth to harness the transformative power of art, while also providing the elderly a platform for creative exploration. Our partnership with Mubadala Foundation, which shares our commitment to community development and fostering artistic innovation and expression, enables us to ignite new waves of creativity and ensuring a vibrant cultural landscape for all."
