Stage set for artists to achieve glory

Dubai: In recent years, the UAE has been actively moving forward to introduce itself globally as an art hub in the region. It therefore works to associate itself with excellence in the world of art and pays great attention to Emiratis who show an interest in art, equipping them with financial and academic support in order to prepare them to be the art ambassadors of the UAE.

To date, there's no Emirati artist that has yet attained worldwide fame; however, it is only a matter of time, as the door is always open to receive all local talent and they are directly supported by the government, according to the Emirates Foundation.

In 2005, General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, announced the inception of the Emirates Foundation. The Foundation supports talented young Emirati artists. The Foundation grants programmes for arts and culture to encourage the arts across the emirates, supporting the work of talented Emirati artists through the provision of financial grants in the visual arts, theatre, music and literature.

The Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation has been paying the utmost attention to Emirati art and artists since the 1980s. Currently, it is considered a major source for promoting and encouraging art and knowledge in all its forms. Abu Dhabi has recently announced the development of Saadiyat Island as an ‘Island of art'. The new development will combine the Guggenheim and Louvre museums and a host of other cultural and artistic developments.

The site for Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is in the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi; the 450,000 square foot museum will house its own major modern and contemporary art collection and present special exhibitions that will combine work from the Guggenheim Foundation's extensive collection. The museum, the largest Guggenheim in the world, will have global art, exhibitions and educational programmes with a focus on Middle Eastern contemporary art. Its opening is expected in 2013.

In 2007 the Parisian Louvre revealed that a new Louvre museum would be located in Abu Dhabi. The Louvre Abu Dhabi will present major artefacts and work in archaeology, fine art and decorative art from all historic eras, with work drawn from the Louvre and other French museums and from its own permanent collection. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is expected to open in 2013.

Art Dubai has created a remarkable platform for the present art practice in the Middle East, setting the business of art within a context that is intelligent, stimulating and relevant. For example the third edition of Art Dubai drew more than 14,000 visitors from across the world.

Sharjah Biennial was established in 1993 with the aim of opening up artistic communication between artists from every corner of the globe and to honour their artistic productions.

The UAE is currently witnessing an art and artists' revolution, which can be seen in the increasing number of international art galleries that are taking permanent place in various districts of Dubai. These include Al Bastakiya, Al Quoz, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and many others.