Dubai: Some 40 individuals and organisations were on Monday honoured for supporting art and culture in Dubai during the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards.
The awards were conferred by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) in the presence His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the J.W. Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai.
The 40 honourees together contributed over Dh170 million to Dubai’s arts scene in 2012.
Dubai Culture presented the Special Honouree Award, introduced this year, to Shaikha Hind Maktoum Bint Juma Al Maktoum, for her continued support for arts and cultural initiatives across the country.
Shaikha Hind, wife of Shaikh Mohammad, has been a principal patron of the Al Nahda Women Association in Dubai, and pioneered the Shaikha Latifa Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Child Creativity.
The honours were presented in four categories: Distinguished Patrons of the Arts, Patrons of the Arts, Supporters of the Arts, and Friends of the Arts. The categories were based on the significance of contributions towards the four disciplines of art — visual arts, performing arts, film, and literature — from January to December 2012.
Of the total contribution of Dh170 million in 2012, 50 per cent was for projects related to the visual arts, followed by a 36 per cent share for film productions. Literature and performing arts accounted for eight per cent and six per cent of the overall contribution respectively.
The awards ceremony witnessed performers enacting Rare Proverbs, a poem written by Shaikh Mohammad. A soaring performance of the UAE national anthem by the UAE National Symphony Orchestra was another highlight of the event.
A selection of art works from Shaikh Mohammad’s private collection was also showcased at the venue.
The awards were launched in 2009 to highlight the importance of patronage and its role in the growth of the arts sector.
Saeed Al Naboudah, acting director general, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: “Over the past years, Dubai has rolled out several path-breaking arts and cultural initiatives that have gained international acclaim, while facilitating the further development of our local talent.”
Fadi Jameel, president of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives International, which was among establishments chosen for the honours, said: “Winning such a special award is an exceptional honour in light of the various arts and cultural events happening in Dubai thus opening up the art scene to competition.”
