Dubai Culture launches pioneering Global Fellowship to cultivate next generation of cultural leaders
Dubai Culture and the World Cities Culture Forum have unveiled an inaugural cohort of 20 mid-career professionals selected for an international leadership programme designed to shape cultural policy and drive creative innovation across cities worldwide.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has partnered with the World Cities Culture Forum to establish the Global Fellowship, a landmark initiative bringing together emerging cultural policymakers and civic leaders from across the globe. The programme represents a significant commitment to nurturing talent and fostering international collaboration in the cultural sector.
The inaugural cohort comprises 20 mid-career professionals, five of whom are drawn from Dubai Government entities. These include Hesham Al Olama, CEO of the Media Development Sector at the Dubai Media Council; Afnan Abdulla, Director of the Asset Management and Logistics Department at Dubai Culture; Mozah Lootah, Senior Project Manager in the Visual Arts Department at Dubai Culture; Noora Bin Kalban, Director of Exploration Policies and Programs at Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority; and Hessa Aljarwan, Manager of Studies and Policies, Quality of Life, at the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai. The remaining 15 fellows represent cities including Austin, Boston, Bratislava, Busan, Edinburgh, Guangzhou, Johannesburg, Kyiv, London, Milan, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Toronto, Vienna and Warsaw.
Conceived as a legacy initiative of the 13th World Cities Culture Summit held in Dubai during 2024, the fellowship draws upon the expertise of the University of Oxford’s Gardens, Libraries and Museums and the Aspen Institute. The six-month programme combines international learning, mentorship and peer exchange with the development of bespoke projects addressing each fellow’s city priorities.
The curriculum encompasses online masterclasses from November 2026 to March 2027, examining the practical dimensions of cultural leadership including political forces influencing policy, public-private partnerships, integration of culture into urban planning, cross-departmental collaboration and long-term sustainability of cultural initiatives. Prominent contributors to the programme include Justine Simons OBE, Founder and Chair of the World Cities Culture Forum and London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries; Anne Hidalgo, former Mayor of Paris; Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown; Gail Lord, a globally recognised cultural consultant; and Ricky Burdett, Director of LSE Cities.
Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, emphasised the importance of international cooperation in strengthening cultural leadership. “Investing in people is central to Dubai’s cultural ambitions,” she stated, noting that the fellowship provides emerging leaders with opportunities to develop ideas and translate knowledge into policies benefiting their communities. The residency phase in Dubai during spring 2027 will enable fellows to engage with cultural institutions and explore the emirate’s approaches to cultural development and cross-sector collaboration.
The fellowship aligns with Dubai Culture’s 2026–2033 Strategy, which prioritises Global Cultural Leadership, a Robust Creative Ecosystem, and Cultural Identity, Diversity and Inclusivity. The programme recognises culture’s contribution to economic development, social cohesion and quality of life whilst supporting Dubai’s positioning as a global cultural reference and innovation leader grounded in Emirati heritage.
Source: WAM