Dubai Culture Concludes Austrian Engagement to Strengthen Global Creative Partnerships
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority completes official visit to Austria, advancing international collaboration and exploring the intersection of culture, technology and artistic innovation.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has concluded a significant official visit to Austria, with engagements across Linz and Vienna centred on knowledge exchange, international collaboration, and the convergence of cultural practice with technological advancement. The delegation’s activities reflect the Authority’s strategic commitment to expanding its international partnerships, leveraging global expertise and fostering opportunities for creative talent to flourish on the world stage.
Led by Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, the visiting party included senior figures from across the organisation’s principal divisions: Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector; Maitha Ali Al Blooshi, Director of the Emerging Arts Department; Ahlam Al Bannai, Director of Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children and Acting Director of the Visual Arts Department; and Sara Al Pachachi, Senior Project Manager in the Corporate Communication and Marketing Department.
Ms Badri articulated the visit’s significance, emphasising how cultural exchange fosters meaningful dialogue and creates pathways for creative professionals to share their work internationally. “Culture shapes how people connect with their city, understand their heritage and imagine their future,” she stated, noting that international relationships bring fresh perspectives and open opportunities for creatives to engage with global audiences. The Austrian engagements examined how cultural institutions respond to contemporary change, integrate creativity into daily life, and nurture emerging talent.
The delegation’s visit to Linz featured participation in the Ars Electronica Festival, a prestigious international platform exploring the relationship between art, technology and society. The programme encompassed visits to the Ars Electronica Centre, where delegates examined the integration of art, science and technology through interactive experiences connecting artists, scientists and researchers with audiences. Dubai Culture highlighted its digital arts ecosystem development and the forthcoming Museum of Digital Art, designed as a centre for immersive artistic experiences, research and education.
The Authority also presented plans for hosting the 31st International Symposium on Electronic and Emerging Art (ISEA2026 Dubai), scheduled for 6th to 15th November in hybrid format. Operating under the theme ‘ELYAH: Constellating Place, Data, and Identity’, the symposium will convene artists, practitioners, researchers and specialists from around the world, facilitating dialogue, experimentation and knowledge exchange across artistic, scientific and technological disciplines.
Vienna’s programme provided insights into museum and library management approaches, performing and contemporary arts practices, and strategies for preserving and democratising cultural collections. The delegation examined talent development frameworks, cultural experience design and community engagement methodologies to inform future initiatives in Dubai. These efforts align with the Dubai Cultural Strategy 2033, which seeks to establish a competitive and sustainable creative sector, integrate culture into community life, and strengthen creativity’s contribution to economic and social growth.
Source: WAM