Dubai is about to look a lot more creative – not just in galleries or museums, but in everyday workplaces. A brand-new initiative called ‘Art in Offices’, launched by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), is aiming to bring visual art into government and private sector offices across the city. The goal? To make office spaces more inspiring and to support local artists by giving their work the spotlight it deserves.
This new move is part of Dubai’s wider plan to become a global centre for culture and creativity. Over 50 offices – both public and private – will take part in the first phase of this initiative. Inside these buildings, specially selected artworks created by emerging Emirati and UAE-based artists will be displayed.
Celebrating Local Talent
The program isn’t just about making offices look better – it’s about supporting the growing community of artists across the UAE. By placing their work in high-traffic spaces, more people can see and appreciate it. This gives new and upcoming artists a great chance to get noticed and build their careers.
Many of the artists chosen for this project are still early in their careers but have already shown exciting promise. These curated artworks reflect the culture, values, and stories of the UAE – making them not just beautiful to look at, but also meaningful.
Making Art a Daily Experience
For many people, visiting an art gallery can feel like something extra, something they don’t always have time for. But by bringing art into the workplace, it becomes part of everyday life. This simple yet powerful idea could change how thousands of people in Dubai experience art on a daily basis.
Whether you’re working in a government department or at a corporate office, you might soon find yourself surrounded by unique paintings, prints, or photographs – all created by local talent. This can also boost creativity, reduce stress, and make office spaces feel more welcoming and human.
A Cultural Vision for the City
This initiative fits into Dubai’s larger cultural vision, which is about making the city a place where the arts are part of life, not just a special occasion. Dubai Culture has been working hard in recent years to bring more cultural events, opportunities, and experiences to people across the city.
The ‘Art in Offices’ program is another strong step in that direction. It aims to “activate creative spaces across the emirate”, turning places like meeting rooms, waiting areas, hallways, and even receptions into mini-exhibitions.
This isn’t just about painting walls or hanging a few frames. Every piece of art is carefully selected to suit the environment, and every space is thoughtfully designed to highlight the creativity within it.
Support from the Top
The program has been launched under the vision of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture. She has been a strong supporter of the creative industries in the UAE and believes that making art more visible and accessible is key to building a strong cultural future.
With her guidance, Dubai Culture has focused on creating projects that make art and culture part of everyone’s life – not just for artists or art lovers, but for everyone living and working in the city.
Boosting the Creative Economy
This project is also a smart move for the economy. Dubai wants to grow its creative economy and create more opportunities for people working in art, design, music, film, and other creative fields. By giving artists a new platform to showcase their work, ‘Art in Offices’ could help generate real income for creatives.
It also opens doors for future collaborations between artists and businesses – from custom commissions to brand partnerships.
Community Engagement and Education
Another exciting part of this initiative is how it encourages people to learn more about the art they’re surrounded by. Every artwork will include a short description or QR code, helping people understand the story or message behind it. This means even those with little knowledge of art can connect with it in a simple, human way.
There are also plans to hold occasional talks, workshops, and artist meet-ups in some of the participating office spaces. This will allow employees and visitors to interact directly with the artists and gain a deeper appreciation of their work.
Building a More Beautiful Dubai
Dubai has already made a name for itself with bold architecture and eye-catching design. Now, it’s taking that a step further by putting heart and soul into those buildings through visual art.
This project reminds us that art doesn’t have to live in a museum – it can be a part of our daily lives, even in the most unexpected places. From break rooms to boardrooms, creativity is finding a new home in the workplace.
What’s Next?
Dubai Culture says this is just the beginning. If the first phase goes well, more offices will be invited to join the program, and more artists will have the chance to display their work. There’s also the possibility of expanding the project to hospitals, airports, and other public spaces in the future.
In the long run, ‘Art in Offices’ could become a model for other cities in the region to follow – showing how a city can support its artists, enrich daily life, and build a stronger connection between people and the creative world.
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