CITYarts honours Manal for nurturing artistic talent

Dubai: The CITYarts foundation in New York has honoured the President of the Dubai Women Establishment (DWE), Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wife of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, with a specially crafted award for her support in developing artistic and cultural talents, particularly among young people.

Dr Lamees Hamdan Al Shamsi, board member of DWE, accepted the award on behalf of Shaikha Manal.

The unique 'Royal Simplicity' award, created for Shaikha Manal by internationally acclaimed artist Ursula Von Rydingsvard, is crafted around a brick reflecting CITYarts' motto, "We go brick by brick changing the neighbourhood".

The award highlights the skills that go into creating extraordinary works of art.

The award represents a perfect synergy of the artistic endeavours of Shaikha Manal and those of the CITYarts foundation that work to build bridges of understanding among youth from divergent cultures through artistic collaborations highlighting social issues and encouraging young artists to shape their communities and their own futures.

Shaikha Manal is the first Arab to receive this recognition, and was one of three global women leaders to be honoured at the CITYarts' Annual Benefit, Auction, and Awards Ceremony.

An accomplished artist in her own right, Shaikha Manal has been recognised for her interest and patronage of artistic endeavours in the UAE through youth-focused initiatives such as 'The Shaikha Manal Young Artists Award' and the 'Art Exchange Programme.'