Sheikh Hamdan visits The Cultural Office of HH Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's artistic booth, supporting the initiatives of Sheikha Manal’s ‘Little Artist Program’ and The Young Artist Award

Dubai: 15 March, 2015 – His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai inaugurated the tenth edition of Art Dubai 2016, officially opening the leading international art fair in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, which takes place at Madinat Jumeirah and runs from 16 – 19 March 2016.

During his attendance, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan visited the main galleries exhibition space which included the Art Dubai Contemporary halls and Art Dubai Modern that features artists who proved influential in the twentieth century, particularly through the vibrant modern period of the 1940s to 1980s. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan also visited the booth of The Cultural Office, which is showcasing the projects under its umbrella, including The Sheikha Manal Art Exchange Program, The Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program and The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award.

On the occasion, Mona Bin Kalli, Director of The Cultural Office, said: “We are honoured to welcome His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to the The Cultural Office booth to learn more about the initiatives of Sheikha Manal’s Little Artist Program. This program aims to inspire and educate children and young artists to understand the importance of artistic knowledge and the value of learning about all facets across the arts spectrum. Partnering with a locally grown and globally recognised platform such as Art Dubai reflects the artistic and creative vision of our wise leadership to ensure the progress of a successful arts sector in Dubai.”

An environmentally friendly booth, the TCO booth was designed by commissioned Emirati artist Zeinab Al Hashemi using sustainable materials. 

At the The Cultural Office booth, HH Sheikh Hamdan met with local Emirati visual artist Ashwaq Abdullah, as she hosted a 2-hour activity entitled, “Personalize Your Sketchbook” using fast live sketches.

The Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program is also running a diverse series of activities at Art Dubai in its tenth year, strengthening its collaboration with the art fair for the fourth consecutive year. The agenda also included artist-led workshops for pupils at two Dubai schools in the lead up to Art Dubai. The workshops were supported by UAE-based apprentices, Asmaa El Afifi, Alia Lootah, Isabella E. Toledo, Zahia Abdul and Maryam Saffarini and led by London-based artist Polly Brannan who will also lead a program of workshops throughout Art Dubai entitled the “Mobile Variety Club” - which will focus on children and their families creating their own artistic performances such as  comedy sketches, songs, dance, poetry readings, puppetry and theatre – using different props, including costumes, posters and visuals from their own creations. Discovery tours will also be guided by UAE-based and international artists and the workshops will consist of six zones where participants create their own production with the help of the lead and apprentice artists.