In 2013, Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, established The Cultural Office in order to be a pioneering “platform to develop and activate substantial art movements as milestones within the region that will fortify the UAE's standing as a global hub for culture and creativity," with the objective to encourage and bring the region’s unexplored talents to the forefront.
Projects that have been running via The Cultural Office, including The Sheikha Manal Art Exchange Program and The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award,have allowed art enthusiasts from across the Middle East,to explore and nurture their talents.
Initially, the programs were mainly marketed for children, with The Cultural Office’s collaboration with Art Dubai, the 'Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program' proved this. Following the success of that project, art workshops opened to include Emirati artists who featured in the workshops to coach the young children, one of the artists being, Mahra Al Falahi.
The Cultural Office doesn’t draw the line at just art, as just two years ago, they collaborated with Piaget, to form an initiative that invited UAE based participants to submit art installations in line with the luxury fine jewellery brand’s collection, Sunny Side of Life.
These initiatives and interactive workshops encourage young people and to explore their creative and artistic talents, and now there is a spotlight on Emirati women with The Cultural Office’s latest initiative.Entitled, “Women’s Creative Network,” which is set to be a platform “that aims to promote, foster and celebrate female Emirati creatives in various disciplines by offering diverse opportunities and advancing their contribution to the local art and culture scene." There are already over 20 Emirati female “creative disciples” that are participating as the program looks to set an example.
