UAE Art and Design Delegation
November 2018 – The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, DC invited a delegation of art, design and culture professionals to visit the UAE to introduce the growing art and design scene as well as cultivate global connections between art professionals. The group, led by the Embassy and supported by the Middle East Institute traveled to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain over five days to meet with leaders from the UAE’s top cultural institutions and foundations, such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Sharjah Art Foundation. They also met with leading Emirati artists, designers and curators, and attended the openings of Dubai Design Week and Abu Dhabi Art.
US-UAE Cultural Influencer Exchange Program: Cultural Diplomacy at Work in the Arts
March 2019 – The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, DC hosted a week-long delegation to the UAE, where cultural influencers, curators, museum professionals, and artists from the United States experienced firsthand the vibrant art culture and infrastructure of the UAE.
The Embassy partnered with the Meridian International Center in developing a multi-city cultural program on the UAE’s diverse cultural identity and strong global partnerships. The delegation traveled to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, where they visited the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Art Dubai, Sharjah Museums Authority, the Sharjah Biennial, the Sikka Art Fair, and Etihad Museum in Dubai. They met with influential Emiratis in the arts and culture sector during stops at private collections, foundations, and creative spaces, such as Art Jameel in Dubai and the Dubai Design District. The trip built bridges between Americans and Emiratis, fostering future collaborations.
US-UAE Cultural Diplomacy Exchange Program: Cultural Diplomacy at Work in Galleries & Museums
April 2018 – Museum directors, curators, board members, and private collectors from the United States visited the United Arab Emirates for a multi-city cultural program to learn about the UAE’s flourishing arts community and opportunities for UAE-US partnerships.
Representatives from the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, DC led the delegation through Abu Dhabi and Dubai to visit private collections, foundations, creative spaces, and tourism attractions, such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sharjah Museums Authority, and Etihad Museum. Trips to Alserkal Avenue and the Dubai Design District allowed the delegation to see the UAE’s emerging private gallery scene.
The cultural delegation concluded with a roundtable discussion with New York University in Abu Dhabi and the Meridian International Center. Delegates and UAE cultural leaders discussed the importance of global partnerships and how such collaborations can lead to cross-cultural understanding.
U.S. Architectural Photographers Explore the UAE
November 2019 – The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, DC invited architectural photographers, critics, and experts from across the United States to a one-week cultural and architectural tour of the UAE. The delegation, arranged in collaboration with Meridian International Center, traveled through the Emirates to explore the UAE’s history of architecture and urban development as well as the vibrant arts and culture scene.
The trip connected American and Emirati professionals working in the architectural and cultural sectors. The group visited Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain and met with leaders from the UAE’s top cultural institutions and foundations, such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Etihad Museum. They explored architectural and heritage sites, such as the Burj Khalifa, Masdar City, Museum of the Future and Qasr Al Hosn. The photographs from the delegation will serve as the foundation for an exhibition set to travel through the U.S. in 2021.
