Latest news with #UAEMinistryofCulture
Sharjah 24
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Al-Burda Exhibition inaugurated at Aga Khan Museum in Canada
Running until February 15, 2026, the exhibition is a product of a cultural collaboration between the UAE Ministry of Culture and the Aga Khan Museum, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Al-Burda Award. It signifies a pivotal moment for the award, featuring over 60 contemporary artworks by past Al-Burda Award winners. Additionally, two pieces from the Al-Badr Award collection are presented, creating a compelling visual dialogue with historical and archaeological artifacts from the Aga Khan Museum's permanent collection. The exhibition delves into the rich evolution of Islamic arts, encompassing Arabic calligraphy, ornamentation, and Arabic poetry. The exhibition was curated by three graduates of the Al Burda Grant 2024 Curators: Fatma Al Mahmoud; Sara bin Safwan; and Shaikha Al Zaabi. Their collaborative effort presents a contemporary artistic vision that embodies cultural empowerment and cross-border knowledge exchange, reflecting the award's spirit and future aspirations. A robust cultural programme accompanies the exhibition, featuring specialised workshops, lectures, and seminars focusing on Arabic calligraphy, poetry, and Islamic ornamentation. Interactive performances are also part of the programme, designed to deepen public engagement with contemporary Islamic art and highlight its diversity and adaptability in expressing aesthetic values and cultural identity. Coinciding with the opening, a commemorative book titled "Like the Sun Appearing to the Eyes from Afar" was launched. This publication documents the exhibition and explores the artistic and intellectual dimensions of the Al-Burda Award in the context of its 20th anniversary. It includes a collection of essays by experts in Islamic arts, intellectuals, and art collectors, offering in-depth analysis and reflections on the award's role in empowering contemporary Islamic art and enhancing its global cultural presence. This book serves as a vital cultural and artistic reference, chronicling the development of calligraphy, ornamentation, and literary arts, and underscoring the UAE's commitment to supporting Islamic arts, fostering cultural exchange, and deepening appreciation for this ancient artistic tradition. In his opening remarks, Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi emphasised the event as a significant milestone in the Al-Burda Award's journey. He stated: 'This exhibition represents a strategic step towards expanding cultural cooperation between the UAE and Canada. It reflects our firm commitment to presenting Islamic arts within contemporary frameworks that express shared human values and promote intercultural dialogue. In its 20th year, the Al-Burda Award continues to serve as a global Emirati platform, reintroducing Islamic arts to the world in a language attuned to the spirit of our times.' He added: 'We are proud that this edition of the exhibition is the result of a pioneering partnership with the Aga Khan Museum, which underscores the depth of cultural openness and the role of art in building bridges of civilizational dialogue. We look forward to continuing our work with international partners to empower creatives and contribute to shaping a more diverse and influential global cultural scene.' Established in 2004, the Al-Burda Award has honoured over 390 talent worldwide, including poets, visual artists, and calligraphers specialising in Islamic arts. The award has evolved into a global Emirati platform that celebrates this ancient art form and the rich beauty of the Arabic language. It further strengthens the UAE's role in fostering creativity, preserving the artistic heritage of Islamic civilisation, and promoting outstanding works of art to international audiences.
Hi Dubai
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hi Dubai
Ministry of Culture Launches 19th Al Burda Award Celebrating Social Unity Through Islamic Art
The UAE Ministry of Culture has launched the 19th edition of the Al Burda Award, spotlighting the theme of 'Social Cohesion and Unity' in alignment with the country's 'Year of the Community' initiative. The award continues its mission to highlight the beauty of Islamic art while promoting values of tolerance, coexistence, and cultural dialogue. Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the award reflects the UAE's ongoing efforts to preserve Islamic heritage and promote it globally. Sheikh Abdullah underscored the country's role in nurturing Islamic arts and introducing their universal values to international audiences. Minister of Culture Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi said the award embodies the UAE's vision of using art as a bridge between cultures. He invited creatives from across the Islamic world to submit works that capture the spirit and beauty of Islamic artistic traditions. This year's edition draws inspiration from verse 13 of Surah Al-Hujurat and a verse from the renowned Burda poem, reinforcing the call for unity among diverse communities. The award features three main categories: Arabic Calligraphy, Arabic Poetry, and Ornamentation, each offering subcategories with significant prize pools. A total of over AED 1.5 million has been allocated to support artists across these fields. Since its inception in 2004, Al Burda Award has honoured more than 390 artists, poets, and calligraphers. It stands today as a leading platform championing the richness of Islamic art and the enduring legacy of the Arabic language. Entries are open on the website until 30 September 2025, with art submissions accepted until 13 October 2025. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Business Wire
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award Illuminates the Aga Khan Museum This Summer
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following a successful opening at the 18th Al Burda Award ceremony, hosted at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in December 2024, As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award makes its North American debut at the Aga Khan Museum on June 14, 2025. Marking a historic first, the exhibition is the result of a unique Memorandum of Understanding between the Aga Khan Museum and the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Culture. Featuring more than 60 spectacular artworks from the Al Burda Award collection, the exhibition places these contemporary pieces in dialogue with historical masterpieces from the Aga Khan Museum Collections. It presents an artistic and contemplative conversation between past and present, offering a captivating visual experience that bridges the physical and the spiritual. Showcasing classical and contemporary expressions of Arabic calligraphy, ornamentation, abstract painting, and the art of the word, the exhibition celebrates some of the most outstanding artists in Islamic art today. It invites visitors on a contemplative journey through sublime beauty, deep spirituality, and breathtaking technical skill. From visual art to an interactive poetry listening station, the exhibition illuminates pathways to intercultural understanding, renewal, and spiritual connection, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the creative spirit of the Muslim world today. As the Sun Appears from Beyond was co-curated by Fatma Mahmoud, Sara bin Safwan, and Shaikha Al Zaabi, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Museum. The young Emirati curators represent the first cohort of Al Burda Fellows, selected by the UAE Ministry of Culture to curate the Al Burda Award's remarkable 20-year collection. Their curatorial journey began in July 2024, when they travelled to Toronto for a professional residency at the Aga Khan Museum. There, they immersed themselves in the Museum's unique mandate, Collections, and approach to culturally appropriate museology before developing the exhibition around the theme of light — Al-Noor — in celebration of 20 years of the Al Burda Award and the Museum's 10th anniversary. 'The collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Culture and its three exceptional Al Burda Fellows has been an honour and a joy. Working on such a prestigious project together, across and beyond cultural differences, has been a truly enriching and inspiring experience for the Museum,' says Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis, Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum. 'Together, we have opened up a new world of intercultural artistic appreciation, dialogue, and understanding. To that end, our storytelling approach is not only factual but also allows for empathetic, inclusive engagement. Striving for the art to be presented in a way that transcends cultural differences, the exhibition invites aesthetic appreciation, engenders conversation, and serves as a creative resource for intercultural learning.' The Memorandum of Understanding between the Aga Khan Museum and the UAE Ministry of Culture, signed in December 2023, aims to enrich educational and artistic initiatives for young professionals, intellectuals, art practitioners, and students. Through collaboration, it opens pathways to learning and creative development with training and mentorship. This groundbreaking partnership, driven by a shared commitment to pluralism and cross-cultural dialogue, envisions diverse opportunities at museums and cultural institutions in the United Arab Emirates and the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto for emerging curators, artists, and museum professionals. 'Our collaboration with the Aga Khan Museum, highlighted through the As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award exhibition, exemplifies the powerful impact of cross-cultural partnerships in fostering artistic innovation and dialogue. This exhibition marks a significant milestone for Al Burda's rich history and the young Emirati curators who have shaped it during their residency in Toronto,' says H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture. 'Their creative vision and dedication, nurtured by this unique partnership, underscore our shared commitment to supporting emerging voices and advancing cultural diplomacy. By bridging the artistic heritage of the UAE and Canada, we are laying the foundation for a more connected and inclusive global artistic landscape.' Alongside the exhibition, visitors can deepen their experience through a series of talks, lectures, hands-on workshops, dynamic performances, and interdisciplinary programs inspired by poetry, calligraphy, and ornamentation. From a mesmerizing dance, exploring the rhythm and geometry of ornamental design, to deeper meditative reflections on calligraphy, these programs offer an immersive journey beyond the galleries. About the Aga Khan Museum The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada, has been established and developed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational activities and performing arts, the Museum's mission is to spark wonder, curiosity, and understanding of Muslim cultures and their connection with other cultures through the arts. Designed by architect Fumihiko Maki, the Museum shares a 6.8-hectare site with Toronto's Ismaili Centre, which was designed by architect Charles Correa. The surrounding landscaped park was designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic. About the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Culture The Ministry of Culture works to enrich the cultural ecosystem of the UAE by supporting the country's cultural, art and heritage institutions. It provides a platform for artists and innovators, promotes cross-cultural dialogue, and delivers dynamic productions and experiences that represent the UAE's rich and eclectic culture on a national as well as international level.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award Illuminates the Aga Khan Museum This Summer
The groundbreaking exhibition, co-curated by the inaugural Al Burda Fellows, celebrates contemporary Islamic art and a shared commitment to intercultural dialogue and understanding TORONTO, June 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following a successful opening at the 18th Al Burda Award ceremony, hosted at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in December 2024, As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award makes its North American debut at the Aga Khan Museum on June 14, 2025. Marking a historic first, the exhibition is the result of a unique Memorandum of Understanding between the Aga Khan Museum and the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Culture. Featuring more than 60 spectacular artworks from the Al Burda Award collection, the exhibition places these contemporary pieces in dialogue with historical masterpieces from the Aga Khan Museum Collections. It presents an artistic and contemplative conversation between past and present, offering a captivating visual experience that bridges the physical and the spiritual. Showcasing classical and contemporary expressions of Arabic calligraphy, ornamentation, abstract painting, and the art of the word, the exhibition celebrates some of the most outstanding artists in Islamic art today. It invites visitors on a contemplative journey through sublime beauty, deep spirituality, and breathtaking technical skill. From visual art to an interactive poetry listening station, the exhibition illuminates pathways to intercultural understanding, renewal, and spiritual connection, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the creative spirit of the Muslim world today. As the Sun Appears from Beyond was co-curated by Fatma Mahmoud, Sara bin Safwan, and Shaikha Al Zaabi, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Museum. The young Emirati curators represent the first cohort of Al Burda Fellows, selected by the UAE Ministry of Culture to curate the Al Burda Award's remarkable 20-year collection. Their curatorial journey began in July 2024, when they travelled to Toronto for a professional residency at the Aga Khan Museum. There, they immersed themselves in the Museum's unique mandate, Collections, and approach to culturally appropriate museology before developing the exhibition around the theme of light — Al-Noor — in celebration of 20 years of the Al Burda Award and the Museum's 10th anniversary. "The collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Culture and its three exceptional Al Burda Fellows has been an honour and a joy. Working on such a prestigious project together, across and beyond cultural differences, has been a truly enriching and inspiring experience for the Museum," says Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis, Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum. "Together, we have opened up a new world of intercultural artistic appreciation, dialogue, and understanding. To that end, our storytelling approach is not only factual but also allows for empathetic, inclusive engagement. Striving for the art to be presented in a way that transcends cultural differences, the exhibition invites aesthetic appreciation, engenders conversation, and serves as a creative resource for intercultural learning." The Memorandum of Understanding between the Aga Khan Museum and the UAE Ministry of Culture, signed in December 2023, aims to enrich educational and artistic initiatives for young professionals, intellectuals, art practitioners, and students. Through collaboration, it opens pathways to learning and creative development with training and mentorship. This groundbreaking partnership, driven by a shared commitment to pluralism and cross-cultural dialogue, envisions diverse opportunities at museums and cultural institutions in the United Arab Emirates and the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto for emerging curators, artists, and museum professionals. "Our collaboration with the Aga Khan Museum, highlighted through the As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award exhibition, exemplifies the powerful impact of cross-cultural partnerships in fostering artistic innovation and dialogue. This exhibition marks a significant milestone for Al Burda's rich history and the young Emirati curators who have shaped it during their residency in Toronto," says H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture. "Their creative vision and dedication, nurtured by this unique partnership, underscore our shared commitment to supporting emerging voices and advancing cultural diplomacy. By bridging the artistic heritage of the UAE and Canada, we are laying the foundation for a more connected and inclusive global artistic landscape." Alongside the exhibition, visitors can deepen their experience through a series of talks, lectures, hands-on workshops, dynamic performances, and interdisciplinary programs inspired by poetry, calligraphy, and ornamentation. From a mesmerizing dance, exploring the rhythm and geometry of ornamental design, to deeper meditative reflections on calligraphy, these programs offer an immersive journey beyond the galleries. About the Aga Khan Museum The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada, has been established and developed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational activities and performing arts, the Museum's mission is to spark wonder, curiosity, and understanding of Muslim cultures and their connection with other cultures through the arts. Designed by architect Fumihiko Maki, the Museum shares a 6.8-hectare site with Toronto's Ismaili Centre, which was designed by architect Charles Correa. The surrounding landscaped park was designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic. About the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Culture The Ministry of Culture works to enrich the cultural ecosystem of the UAE by supporting the country's cultural, art and heritage institutions. It provides a platform for artists and innovators, promotes cross-cultural dialogue, and delivers dynamic productions and experiences that represent the UAE's rich and eclectic culture on a national as well as international level. View source version on Contacts FOR PRESS INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT: Garry Ho Porter Novelli 347.379.3089 Kelly Frances Director, Marketing and Communications Aga Khan Museum press@ 416.858.8735 Sign in to access your portfolio
Arabian Business
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arabian Business
Human imagination, not AI, will drive tomorrow's creative economy
The future of the creative economy will not be built by machines alone. For all the hype around generative AI, it is still human imagination — our narratives, ideas, and intuition — that will shape what truly resonates. As the sector undergoes rapid transformation, it is not AI that will lead the next wave of innovation, but the artists, designers, coders, and cultural producers who know how to harness it with purpose. Set to contribute 5 per cent of the UAE's GDP by 2031, the creative economy is now being supercharged by technology. The sector's expedited transformation was catalysed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed content creation, consumption, and collaboration online — forcing creatives to reimagine how they produce and distribute their work beyond physical spaces. It was this accelerated digitisation that laid the groundwork for today's AI revolution. Artificial intelligence has since emerged — augmenting how ideas are generated, refined, and shared. From design to storytelling, AI is accelerating the creative process and unlocking new possibilities across every field. For those unfamiliar with the sector, the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) refers to 'the ideation, creation, production, distribution, and dissemination of goods and services of creative expression and cultural preservation that generate and sustain social-economic impact' (UAE Ministry of Culture, 2021). The fields within CCI are quite diverse, ranging from advertising, music, fashion, and film, to architecture, performing arts, visual arts, video games, and emerging technologies. The creative economy encompasses the wider ecosystem of these industries as a whole, including the economic activities, value created, and the policy frameworks to enable the sector. Globally, the sector is worth over $2.25 trillion, employing 30 million people. Meanwhile, the global digital creative economy is expected to note a compounding growth of 11 per cent each year to reach a valuation of AED27 trillion by 2030, according to a white paper by Dubai Design District (d3) and Dubai Media City. In the UK, the creative industries contribute £111.7 billion in gross value added to the economy, which is larger than the aerospace, automotive, life sciences and oil and gas sectors combined. These numbers underscore a simple truth: creativity is no longer an accessory to economic development — it is a driver of it. AI reshaping creative economy Artificial intelligence is reshaping the creative economy sector. The global market for generative AI in creative industries is growing at an incredibly accelerated rate. Global generative AI spending is expected to reach $644 billion in 2025, an increase of 76.4 per cent from 2024, according to a forecast by Gartner, Inc. From generating hundreds of concepts and content in seconds, to seeing an unprecedented level of knowledge available at the click of a button, the use of generative AI is imperative in every creative field. In the current evolving creative landscape, the most successful creatives will be those that learn to incorporate AI within their practices, using it to elevate rather than replace their craft. However, one must remember that the two critical factors at the core of what makes up the creative economy is human imagination and innovation. The intellectual protection of these two pillars is what this unique sector relies on, and the ethical concerns surrounding generative AI cannot be ignored. A recent report titled ' Artificial Intelligence in Creative Industries: Guidelines for the Development, Regulation, and Use ' by the UAE Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution suggested ways of addressing some concerns that the sector is facing. The report suggests guidelines that emphasise transparency, inclusivity, and people-centrism as guiding principles for the ethical and effective integration of AI in creative fields. A few ways that stood out include: enabling personalised model training and income opportunities for creators, introducing an 'AI Disclosure Statement' for developers training Large Language Models (LLM), and an 'icon of transparency' mark for creators by Content Credentials, and to always critically question AI-generated output instead of settling for easy answers. Having served in the UAE's cultural and creative sector for nearly 12 years, I've seen the shift firsthand in our nation realising the creative economy's potential. The UAE has taken, and will continue to take, bold steps — from licensing reforms to talent development and investments in cultural infrastructure — to lead the region in building an advanced creative economy. But this transformation requires more than tools. It demands a mindset. One that equips creatives with the skills and organisations with the policy frameworks to thrive in the AI era. Ensuring human creativity is safeguarded while fostering cross-sector investment in is critical — from rethinking university curricula to supporting private sector innovation that centres creatives, not just coders. The UAE has strategically become a pioneering world leader in AI R&D investment, governance, and global discourse while ensuring ethical and inclusive practices supporting industry players. The upcoming Culture Summit 2025, with the theme 'Culture for Humanity and Beyond' taking place in Abu Dhabi, is a testament to the UAE's approach in a human-centered creative economy.
