The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) received two major accolades at the GovMedia Conference and Awards held in Singapore. The Authority earned the ‘UAE Public Sector Initiative of the Year’ for hosting the World Cities Culture Summit 2024, and the ‘UAE Public-Private Partnership of the Year’ for its collaboration with Google: Digitising Heritage & Empowering Creatives. Both awards fall under the Culture and the Arts category.
These awards reaffirm Dubai Culture’s dedication to enriching the city’s creative landscape and solidify its global reputation as a cultural leader, creative incubator, and magnet for talent.
Dubai Hosts Landmark World Cities Culture Summit
Dubai became the first MENA city to host the World Cities Culture Summit (WCCS) in 2024. Held under the theme ‘Tomorrow’s Culture: How Will the Next Generation Shape Our World?’, the summit gathered 141 delegates from 36 cities—marking the largest edition in the event’s history.
The platform enabled cultural leaders to share insights on growing the creative economy, investing in cultural and creative industries (CCIs), and creating opportunities for global talent.
Key initiatives unveiled at the summit included:
- The Future of Education in the Creative Economy global report, exploring how education drives innovation in CCIs.
- Night-Time Economy Policy Accelerator, in partnership with the World Cities Culture Forum and VibeLab, aimed at enabling cultural activity after dark.
- A public forum titled ‘Tomorrow’s Talent: What Do Creatives Need from Cities?’, which attracted over 250 participants, connecting artists with global experts.
To highlight sustainability, Dubai Culture implemented eco-conscious measures during the summit. These included green transport, digital-first tools, recycling stations, and a low-carbon footprint plan.
Digitising Dubai’s Heritage With Google
Dubai Culture and Google celebrated five years of strategic partnership with the launch of Phase 2 of the ‘Dubai’s Culture and Heritage’ project on the Google Arts & Culture platform. The expanded collection now includes:
- Over 130 curated stories
- 1,200+ images
- More than 40 videos in Arabic and English
This digital archive showcases Dubai’s rich cultural tapestry—from heritage and traditions to public art and daily life—making it accessible to global audiences.
Additionally, the collaboration produced the MENA Creatives Bootcamp, an initiative to equip emerging talents with digital tools and AI applications. The programme supports their sustainability goals and helps grow their local and regional presence.
Building a Sustainable Creative Economy
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, who led both projects, shared:
“These awards highlight our efforts to empower creatives across disciplines and strengthen the broader CCI ecosystem.
Through our projects, we activate Dubai’s dynamic arts movement, attract top-tier talent, and establish the emirate as a global creative economy hub.”
She added that the World Cities Culture Summit provided a unique moment to share Dubai’s cultural identity and diversity, while the Google partnership expanded global access to local stories.
A Regional Milestone in Cultural Leadership
The GovMedia Conference and Awards annually celebrates impactful government and public-sector projects across Asia. Dubai Culture’s double win is a testament to its forward-thinking initiatives, collaborative leadership, and growing international influence.