The Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Initiative, Mubadala Foundation, and Dolphin Energy have announced a strategic partnership to present exhibitions celebrating the Year of Family, bringing greater attention to artists and artisans across local and international communities.
At the centre of the partnership is the 2026 Zuleya Artists Program and its exhibition Intimaa: Sacred Threads, which will bring together 10 UAE-based artists and designers with female Afghan master artisans. The resulting works will reinterpret traditional handwoven carpets through an Emirati cultural lens.
The programme will introduce new artists and locations while partnering with the Cultural Foundation as a venue. Intimaa: Sacred Threads will be presented at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi beginning October 15, 2026.
The participating artists are Zuhoor Al Sayegh, Reem AlHashimi, Fatima Al Mazroui, Shamsa Al Omeira, Dhabia Al Qubaisi, Noura Al Serkal, Samar Hijazi, Azza Al Sherif, Khawla Darwish, and Asma Al Ahmed.
Art, Craft and the Theme of Family
Aysha Al Hemeiri, an independent curator and cultural practitioner with more than 14 years of experience across the UAE cultural sector, has been appointed curator of Intimaa: Sacred Threads.
Developed in line with the Year of Family, the exhibition explores the theme of family unity through material creation. The participating artists are invited to examine and interpret this narrative through their work, which is subsequently brought to life by female master weavers.
Each carpet is intended to bring together the creative imagination of a UAE-based artist with the craftsmanship of Afghan female artisans. The collaboration situates traditional craft within a contemporary artistic framework while connecting different forms of creative practice.
For Mubadala Foundation, the partnership reflects its mission to support community development by expanding access to opportunity, strengthening cultural connections, and enhancing quality of life. The programme connects arts and culture with inclusion, wellbeing, education, and enablement, while demonstrating the potential of heritage craft to support skills development, creative expression, and longer-term community impact.
Alya Al Hosani, Vice Chair at Mubadala Foundation, said: “At Mubadala Foundation, we believe that culture, creativity, and partnership can open meaningful pathways for communities to thrive. Our support for the Zuleya Artists Program reflects our commitment to initiatives that preserve heritage, expand access to opportunity, and create lasting social impact. By bringing together UAE-based artists and Afghan female master artisans, this programme celebrates family unity, strengthens cultural continuity, and supports skills that can be carried across generations. In the Year of Family, it is a powerful reminder that heritage lives through people – through their craft, stories, and shared commitment to building a more inclusive and resilient future.”
Preserving Heritage Through Collaboration
The partnership also highlights the role of FBMI’s social enterprises, including Zuleya, in supporting communities involved in artistic and artisanal production. The initiative positions collaboration as an important element in sustaining these communities and their practices.
Obaid Abdulla Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of Dolphin Energy Limited, added, “We are proud to support the Zuleya Artist Program that reflects our commitment to sustainability and to empowering local communities. By supporting traditional craftsmanship in this way, we hope to create opportunities for artists and artisans to showcase their skills.”
“This year’s edition reflects the power of collaboration and the enduring value of art. Artistic expression and its translation through design, honors tradition, advances opportunity, and strengthens cultural continuity for generations ahead.” Maywand Jabarkhyl, Chief Executive Officer of FBMI.
The partnership recognises the importance of protecting the unique identity of the Emirati people as part of the founding generation’s legacy. Through social enterprises such as Zuleya, traditions that have connected families for centuries can continue to inform and inspire new generations of artists.
The final pieces created for the programme will be auctioned, with all proceeds contributing to FBMI’s ongoing support for the health and education of children in disadvantaged communities.
By connecting UAE-based artists with Afghan female master artisans, Intimaa: Sacred Threads will explore family unity through art and craft while highlighting the continued relevance of heritage, collaboration, and cultural continuity.
