Art, technology and community converge: Dubai Culture and CLIO Oasis chart a new creative partnership

A collaboration forged during ISEA2026 Dubai will weave together emerging artistic practices, educational initiatives and public engagement to strengthen the emirate's position as a global creative hub.

The signing of a strategic agreement between Dubai Culture and CLIO Oasis during the 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art marks a decisive moment in Dubai’s evolving creative landscape. The partnership, sealed by Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, and Massimiliano Suglia, Founder of CLIO Desert Park, establishes a framework for artistic experimentation, knowledge exchange and the cultivation of meaningful connections between creativity, technology and contemporary life.

The collaboration emerges at a time when Dubai’s cultural sector is expanding its reach. As we reported, Dubai Culture opened 43 creative workshops across public libraries in November, while the launch of a Global Fellowship programme brought together 20 mid-career cultural professionals from international cities. This new partnership with CLIO Oasis builds on such foundations, creating deeper pathways for artists and practitioners to develop their work.

The agreement charts a distinctive course through visual arts, contemporary artistic practices and digital art. Artist talks, workshops and creative conversations will connect with established Dubai Culture platforms including Dubai Art Season, SIKKA Art & Design Festival and Al Quoz Creative Zone. Educational and community initiatives will emerge through engagement with schools and universities, bilingual learning materials and guided visits. Once operational, CLIO House may host artist residencies and institutional visits, extending cultural experiences to young people, families and community organisations.

Central to the partnership are projects of considerable ambition. The MOMO exhibition, the CLIO Art Book and Human Touch, an interactive public art concept featuring sculptures that respond with light and visual effects when touched, will invite audiences to participate in shared expressions of inclusion and connection. CLIO Desert Park itself represents a major cultural undertaking, featuring a 10-kilometre immersive artwork by international artist Agron Hoti, to be permanently installed at Skydive Dubai Desert Campus.

Al Suwaidi emphasised that strategic partnerships strengthen Dubai’s creative ecosystem by offering artists meaningful opportunities, professional networks and spaces that bring their work closer to the community. She noted that by connecting creativity with education and community engagement, the agreement provides a foundation for long-term collaboration and capacity building, reinforcing Dubai’s position as an attractive destination for creative talent.

Suglia underscored that art holds its greatest power when it creates genuine connections between people, place and community. The partnership, he said, aims to create thoughtful, accessible experiences that invite audiences to participate, discover new perspectives and engage with creativity in meaningful ways, while supporting artists and inspiring the next generation.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This partnership reflects the wider cultural ambitions of the UAE, where creative collaboration and knowledge exchange serve as engines for sustainable development and cultural advancement. By establishing frameworks for cooperation between institutions and cultural enterprises, the agreement demonstrates how structured partnerships can amplify the reach and impact of arts programming across the emirates.

The focus on Emirati and UAE-based artists, coupled with opportunities for international creative practitioners, positions the partnership as a model for how cultural institutions can nurture local talent while maintaining global connections. Educational initiatives and community engagement programmes extend these benefits beyond galleries and festivals, making artistic practice and contemporary creative dialogue accessible to wider audiences across schools, universities and community organisations.

Source: WAM