Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); the first provides for transforming six of the Dubai Metro stations into museums showcasing artistic & creative cultural works; a project that carries a total cost tag of 184 million dirham. The other MoU provides for decorating bridges & underpasses in Dubai in a bid to to add artistic touches to the streets of the Emirate.
The signing of this MoU comes in implementation of the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the Dubai Metro Stations, which attract more than 137 million visitors per annum, into galleries exhibiting artistic, cultural and creative works.
This unique initiative aims at creating permanent museum to showcase artistic and cultural works and innovations rendering them an integral part of the lifestyle and mobility experience in Dubai. The initiative will also result in bringing artistic, cultural, aesthetic and historical artifacts & creative works to the attention of the public, rather than bringing the public to them, rendering them an enjoyable part of the daily life of commuters, thus transforming the metro stations into cultural, artistic and historical hubs.
The MoU was signed on behalf of the Dubai Culture by H.E. Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and on behalf of the RTA by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, in the presence of H.E. Saeed Al Nabooda, Acting Director General of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Abdulla Yousef Al Ali, Acting CEO of the Dubai Rail Agency, and a host of Directors from both entities.
H.E. Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “The purport & objectives of the MoU are in coherence with the endeavours of the Dubai Culture aimed at uplifting the innovative profile of the Emirate through interactive communication with all spectrums of the community to keep pace with the growing artistic movement in Dubai such that all components of the city will act as a platform for exhibiting stunning art innovations. The step is also viewed as a vital contribution to realizing the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum towards enhancing Dubai preparations for hosting the World Expo 2020, and leveraging the performance of all vital sectors, culture & art included, to unprecedented levels of excellence. ”