ISTANBUL, 12 September 2007 — Budding and talented Gulf artists, including those from the Kingdom, will be given financial assistance and their works will be displayed in exhibitions as part of GCC-wide events to promote a passion for the arts and creativity among Gulf citizens.
Details of the initiative were disclosed at a press conference held here by Marwan J. Bin Beyat, director of arts and culture, at the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC).
The press conference, which was attended by a team of journalists from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, was called to announce an international art show, Art Dubai, which will be held in Dubai from March 19-22, 2008. Over 500 art galleries from around the world and individual artists are expected to participate in the event.
Istanbul was chosen as the venue for the press conference because, as Marwan pointed out, it has a rich legacy of arts and culture, and serves as a bridge between the East and the West. The historical city has also been declared the Cultural Capital of Europe for 2010.
John Martin, fair director for Art Dubai, also attended the press conference.
In response to a question from Arab News, the DIFC official said the Dubai government has set up a foundation to promote arts in the Emirate. To this end, scholarships will be provided to promising artists as well as those in need of financial assistance. Artists from other Gulf states will also be eligible for scholarships under the scheme.
Referring to the upcoming event, Marwan noted that they were inspired by the example of Istanbul, which has carved out a niche for itself as a platform for the launch of artistic and cultural programs. Besides bringing together artists from around the world, their initiative is also intended to provide a vehicle for investors in the arts. These works of arts will also go on sale and part of the sales proceeds will be utilized for the welfare of Palestinians and for other humanitarian cause. “Through this venture we are sowing the seeds of creativity in the Middle East,” Marwan said.
Elaborating on his remarks, John Martin said that through this novel initiative, Dubai was trying to position itself as a hub for artistic events in the Gulf. Besides the Gulf and Western countries, they were also targeting visitors from South and Southeast Asia as well as from Africa.
He said Art Dubai, previously known as DIFC Gulf Art Fair, had already held art auctions through Christie’s in which items used by the rich and the famous were sold at fabulous prices. He added that both art connoisseurs and investors ought to be interested in new avenues opening up on the arts front.
Martin said response to the event has been overwhelming and all spaces have been fully booked. However, those interested in participating in the next road show could log on to their website at DIFC Gulf Art Fair 2008 for details. For the exhibitors, the rate is $600 per square meter.
He said that apart from exhibiting works of art, they were encouraging people from the Gulf and other parts of the world to attend the event, which will be a trendsetter similar to other initiatives, for which Dubai has become well known the world over.
