Sharjah: His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, issued a Decree-Law No. 1 of 2018, on Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA).

The new decree-law stipulates that the SPAA shall enjoy legal personality and the full legal capacity necessary to achieve its objectives. The Academy shall also enjoy financial and administrative independence, owned by the Government of Sharjah emirate.

SPAA aims to provide academic programmes at the levels of bachelor’s, masters and PhD levels, with professional and training programmes for all ages in the fields of performing arts. It will also aim to strengthen scientific links and sharing of experience and information, with local and international institutions.

Arabic and English languages are required by the programmes and courses.

Pursuant to the decree, a chairman will assume general supervision of the academy. The chairman and board shall establish the general policy of SPAA and its project programmes, supervise its implementation and any other tasks assigned by the Ruler of Sharjah.

The board’s tenure will be three years starting from the date of its first meeting, extendable for a similar period or periods.

The academy will have an annual budget, and its funds will be deemed as public funds and exempted from all local government taxes and fees, in all its forms and types, excluding consumer fees.

The decree-law comes into effect from the date of its issuance, and will be published in the Official Gazette.