Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is set to launch the Dubai Performing Arts Festival for Schools from May 12 to 14, spotlighting the talents of student performers across theatre, music, and traditional arts. The festival aims to foster creativity among youth while reinforcing Dubai’s ambitions as a global cultural and creative hub.
A Stage for Emerging Creatives
Held across the Zayed Educational Complex branches in Al Warqa, Al Muhaisnah, and Al Barsha, the festival welcomes participants from all grade levels in public schools. A total of 20 educational institutions will compete for honours in theatre and music, creating a vibrant platform for young performers to develop and showcase their skills.
The initiative aligns with Dubai Culture’s strategic objectives to cultivate artistic expression and strengthen the emirate’s reputation as a dynamic centre for creativity and talent development. By promoting arts education through performance, the festival nurtures the next generation of cultural contributors.
Celebrating Artistic Excellence
Theatre performances will be assessed by a distinguished panel comprising actor and director Mohammed Saeed Al-Sulaiti and academic Dr. Khaled Al-Banna. These entries will compete in 22 categories including Best Integrated Theatrical Performance, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Direction, and Best Script.
In the music and folk arts segment, composer Mohammed Malallah and artist Jassim Mohammed will judge submissions across 15 categories such as Best Choir, Best Male Vocalist, Best Female Vocalist, and Best Instrumentalist. The festival also celebrates local traditions, with three awards dedicated to excellence in traditional games.
The festival’s closing ceremony later this month will reveal the winners across all categories, capping off a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and cultural preservation.
Inspiring the Future of Culture
Fatma Al Jallaf, Acting Director of the Performing Arts Department at Dubai Culture, highlighted the festival’s wider impact. “Drama and music build bridges between cultures and preserve the heritage of nations. They are also powerful educational tools that shape character, sharpen abilities, and deepen artistic insight,” she said.
“Through this festival, Dubai Culture aims to inject fresh energy into the local arts scene, securing its future and driving our ambition to become the world’s leading creative economy hub by 2026. By giving students a platform to refine their talent across various performing arts, we empower them to hone their craft and inspire innovative works to enrich our cultural and creative industries.”
All theatrical performances must be group productions in Classical Arabic, lasting between 15 to 40 minutes, with scripts that align with local customs and traditions. In music, teams will perform national or educational folk songs in 6–8-minute sets. Choirs must include 10–30 participants from the same grade and are encouraged to feature live instrumental accompaniment.