UAE Ministry Of Culture Invests AED 3.3 Million In Emirati Creative Talents

The Ministry of Culture has revealed the recipients of the National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity's second cycle, which began in August 2023. A total of AED 3,296,300 has been distributed to support 43 talented Emirati individuals across various cultural and creative fields.

This initiative aims to bolster the nation's commitment to nurturing its cultural and creative sectors by investing in individuals crucial for building and enhancing the creative economy. The first cycle of the programme attracted significant interest from the creative community, while the second cycle saw a notable increase in applications, especially from those whose projects aligned with sustainable development goals.

There was also a marked improvement in the quality of submissions and greater diversity among participants regarding age, social, and cultural backgrounds. The programme's four categories—Creation and Production, Promotion and Local Participation, Capacity Development, and International Travel and Mobility—saw 43 beneficiaries selected from various fields such as writing and publishing, film and television, music, visual arts and design, performing arts and theatre, cultural heritage, and video games.

In the Creation and Production category for Visual Arts and Design, grants were awarded to Jumairi, Sheikha Al Mazrou, Jumana Al Hashemi, Asma Balhamar, and Moza Al Matroushi. Amina Al Jarman Al Ali received a grant in the International Travel and Mobility category. Shahad Al Kaabi, Aisha Al Hammadi, and Muhammad Al Suwaidi were recognised in the Capacity Development category.

For Music in the Creation and Production category, grants went to Arqam Al Abri, Ihab Darwish, Mansour Al Hira, and Hamad Al Taie. Nada Al Aidaroos received a grant in the Capacity Development category. In film and television under Creation and Production category grants were awarded to Iman Al Sayed, Fadel Al Muhairi, Hanaa Kazim, Abdullah Hassan Ahmed, Ibrahim Estadi, Nayla Al Khaja, and Ali Al-Sharif.

Support for Writing & Publishing

In Writing and Publishing under Creation and Production category grants were awarded to Salem Al Suwaidi, Sarah Al Muhairi, Marwan Al Falasi, Bodour Rashidi, Fatima Al Alili, and Ola Al Lawz. Grants in Promotion and Local Participations category went to Mohammed Al Habsi Maryam Juma Halima Al Sayegh Dr Ali Abdullah Fares Alia Shamsi Dr Maryam Hashemi.

Performing Arts & Theatre Recognition

In Performing Arts & Theatre grants were awarded to Sheikha Sarah Qasimi Samir Balushi Shahad Saqqaf Creation Production category Rashid Nuaimi Capacity Development category Muhammad Abdouli Muhammad Juma Ali Promotion Local Participations category.

Cultural Heritage & Video Games

In Cultural Heritage Amna Shamsi Capacity Development category Maha Neyadi Amna Qubaisi Creation Production category Video Games Hamad Khoury Creation Production category.

Mubarak Nakhi Under-Secretary Ministry Culture said "The robust participation in second cycle programme reflects eagerness participants leverage opportunities offered Ministry enhance refine skills talent We take pride wealth energy skills representing nation’s dynamic cultural artistic creative landscape Our goal fulfil visions dreams aspirations exceptional segment society providing further resources meet ambitions advance skills projects support growth cultural creative industries country."

The National Grant Programme for Culture Creativity continues play vital role supporting Emirati talent diverse fields ensuring sustained growth development nation’s cultural creative sectors.

With inputs from WAM