DUBAI, 16 March (BelTA - Emirates News Agensy). - H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Council, has inaugurated the tenth edition of the Sikka Art and Design Festival that will run until 24th March at the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
She toured the festival and praised the quality of artworks showcased at the event held under the theme 'Celebrating Art, Celebrating Growth'. The event aims to provide a platform for bringing together diverse art forms and celebrating promising talent and young artists from the UAE and the region, further strengthening Dubai's position as a global hub for creativity and an incubator for talent.
Sheikha Latifa said, "One of Dubai Culture's key initiatives, the Sikka Art and Design Festival has established itself as one of the most anticipated events on the regional cultural calendar. The event offers emerging artists from the UAE and the GCC a unique platform to showcase their work. Sikka is part of our commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent in the art and culture sectors, and attracting global creatives to base themselves in Dubai. All of this contributes to the advancement of the emirate's creative economy in line with the objectives of the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, which aims to make Dubai the global capital of the creative economy by 2025."
"Sikka is one of Dubai Culture's many initiatives that provide artists and entrepreneurs in the creative industries with a platform to showcase their work and products, contributing to the development of a sustainable ecosystem for these industries in Dubai," she added.
Over 250 artists are participating both in-person and virtually in the festival. 79 Emirati artists are participating physically, who make up 50 percent of the total roster, while 34 are Arab artists based in the UAE and GCC, representing 21.5 percent of the total, while 45 are other expatriate artists based in the UAE and GCC, representing 28.5 percent of the total.
This year's Sikka Art and Design Festival presents a number of special projects, including the Sikka House, Design and New Media House, creative murals, distinctive artistic installations, and the launch of Biennale.IO 2022 - a virtual art exhibition that brings together Emirati, UAE and GCC-based artists, in addition to an NFT space, art workshops, film, music, performances and other unique events. A new addition, the Khaleeji House, celebrates GCC artists in this edition.
