Home World Middle East Dubai Aims To Be UAE’s Cultural Hub The emirate has launched a new cultural district in Downtown Dubai, which will include an opera house, an art museum, galleries and art hotels. by Aarti Nagraj March 22, 2012 Following the footsteps of Abu Dhabi, Dubai is now ramping up its cultural offering: the city has announced plans to launch a Modern Art Museum and an Opera House District in Downtown Dubai, which it hopes will become the UAE’s “newest arts and cultural nerve-center.” The project, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE’s vice president and Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai, will include the emirate’s first dedicated Opera House, a modern art museum, two art hotels, galleries, design studios and residential apartments. “We will continue to strengthen the infrastructure framework for promoting cultural initiatives, through projects such as the Dubai Modern Art Museum and Opera House District,” said Sheikh Mohammed. “This will not only encourage our talented local artists but also facilitate global cultural exchange.” The design and architectural elements of the project are now being finalised, and work will commence shortly, developer Emaar said in a statement. The new district aims to build upon Dubai’s current art scene, which includes 50 art galleries and events like Art Dubai, Design Days Dubai and SIKKA. Abu Dhabi has already been promoting itself as a cultural hub, with its $27 billion Saadiyat Island hosting international museums like the Louvre and Guggenheim. 0 Comments