DUBAI: Dubai-based investment firm A.R.M Holding has become synonymous with the city’s bid to become a global cultural hub, with its CEO Mohammed Saeed Al-Shehi lauding the emirate’s “unwavering “commitment to creativity, diversity and innovation” in a conversation with Arab News.
A.R.M Holding has been the lead partner of the region’s biggest art fair, Art Dubai, since 2019 and just renewed the partnership for another five years.
“At A.R.M Holding, we believe that the arts are a vital component of a thriving society, and we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote creativity, innovation, and cultural diversity,” stated Al-Shehi.
“Dubai is investing in the growth of its creative industries, attracting and supporting the development of local talent, and promoting cultural exchange between different communities,” Al-Shehi told Arab News.
At the end of 2022, Dubai received 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022, up 97 per cent year-on-year from the 7.28 million tourist arrivals in 2021, according to data by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The city also closed in on its pre-pandemic visitor tally of 16.73 million in 2019, further validating its ranking as the No.1 global destination in the Tripadvisor.
“This has led to the emergence of a vibrant arts scene, with world-class museums, galleries, and festivals showcasing the best of contemporary and traditional art, music, and performance,” Al-Shehi said of the tourism figures.
A.R.M. Holding — led by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, who serves as Group Chairman — is the first corporate patron of the Dubai Collection, the first institutional art collection in the emirate compiled under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum created to document the history of the city and narrate its cultural identity.
“At A.R.M Holding, we recognize that culture and creativity are essential to building a sustainable future, and we are committed to supporting Dubai's vision of becoming a leading global cultural hub,” Al-Shehi said.
“Through our investments in the arts, culture, and education sectors, we aim to contribute to the growth of the city's creative economy and to promote cultural exchange and understanding across borders,” he added.
