The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
DUBAI / GULF TIME
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced its participation in the 21st edition of ‘DIFC Art Nights’, organised by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a key cultural and lifestyle hub in Dubai, from 23 to 26 April at Gate Village. The event aims to support both emerging and established artists from the UAE and abroad by providing them with a platform to express and showcase their work to diverse audiences.
This participation aligns with Dubai Culture’s role in empowering the cultural and artistic sector, through the development of distinctive programmes and initiatives that contribute to strengthening homegrown arts and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, and an incubator for creativity.
The ‘DIFC Art Nights’ programme, held in strategic partnership with Dubai Culture, will feature a broad range of live performances, installations, creative and recreational workshops, and cultural discussions. These offerings will provide audiences with the opportunity to engage directly with art within a dynamic, interactive environment.
As part of its efforts to promote the 31st edition of the International Symposium on Electronic and Emerging Art (ISEA2026), which Dubai will host this November, Dubai Culture will organise a panel discussion on 23 April. The session will reinforce the significance of the event, held under the theme ‘Elyah: Connecting Place, Data, and Identity’, and will bring together artists, designers, academics, technologists, curators, and museum professionals from around the world to explore the intersections of art, science, and technology, and to examine the future of digital art.
The session will be moderated by Valerie Herring-Frankensdorf, Communications and Partnerships Manager for ISEA, and will feature Saleh Shukri Al Braik, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Dubai Culture; Anna Lebedeva, Managing Director at TODA – Theatre of Digital Art; Peter Chathanakone and Isaac Sullivan, Academic and Artistic Chairs for ISEA2026 from Zayed University.
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, highlighted the importance of ‘Art Nights’ and its role in enriching the local arts landscape, stating: “’Art Nights’ is a space for expression and community engagement, showcasing the power of art as a bridge that connects artists and audiences. It emphasises the diverse practices of the UAE’s talent and their contributions across creative fields.” Al Suwaidi added that Dubai Culture’s participation reflects its commitment to improving cultural dialogue and making art accessible to all. The programme also provides artists with an enabling environment that opens new opportunities for growth and collaboration, fostering stronger connections across the sector.