DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 28, 2025
Art splashes color across Dubai’s urban landscape
Two new murals debut in Al Quoz, transforming city spaces into canvases.
Key takeaways:
- Dubai Culture and Arts Authority launched a new initiative on Monday, adding two artistic murals in the Al Quoz creative region.
- The project aims to boost public interaction with art and transform urban areas into creative platforms.
- Al Quoz has seen a 25% increase in exhibitions and events, attracting more visitors, especially youth.
- The initiative is part of a broader strategy to support the local cultural scene and enhance Dubai’s role as a creative hub.
Dubai’s urban areas are becoming vibrant canvases thanks to a new initiative by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. The authority launched two new artistic murals in the creative Al Quoz region on Monday. This move is part of an ongoing effort to integrate art into daily life and create open-air platforms for creativity across the emirate.
Al Quoz: A Thriving Creative Hub
The Creative Al Quoz region, situated in western Dubai, is already a magnet for artists. It’s known for hosting numerous art exhibitions, studios, and cultural projects. In recent years, it has experienced significant growth, becoming a popular destination for both local and international artists.
“The project comes within the framework of an integrated strategy aimed at supporting the local cultural scene and expanding the audience’s interaction with artistic works in the public space,” said Khaled Al Suwaidi, Director of the Creative Al Quoz Development at Dubai Culture. His statement highlights the project’s strategic importance.
Growth and Engagement
Al Suwaidi noted that the Al Quoz region saw a 25% increase in exhibitions and events over the past year. Visitor numbers, particularly among youth, have also climbed. He believes this trend reflects the success of cultural initiatives in engaging diverse segments of society.
The initiative aims to enhance the role of culture as a key element in urban and societal development.
Artist and Visitor Perspectives
Emirati actress Maryam bin Khamis, a participant, finds Al Quoz offers artists a valuable “free space to experiment with visual ideas outside the traditional templates.” She emphasizes how public art fosters direct audience interaction, enriching the artistic experience.
Visitors shared positive feedback. British tourist Richard Grant described Al Quoz as a “city within a city.” He highlighted the unique experience of “coexistence between the industrial and creative character in the neighborhood.”
Jordanian visitor Khaled Abdel Razek, a resident for five years, found his recent visit “different and rich.” He commented that the murals “tell stories from the reality of the city and express their identity in an impressive artistic way.”
Young artist Hajar Al Shamsi felt her involvement helped her “get out of the closed framework of the studio, and engage in a direct dialogue with society.” She stressed the importance of such initiatives in promoting art’s societal role.
Future Expansion
Dubai Culture plans to expand the “Art in Public Places” project to other areas of the emirate. This expansion will include providing logistical and technical support for artists. It will also offer streamlined registration, licensing, and workspace facilities.
These efforts align with Dubai’s vision to bolster culture’s role in urban and societal advancement. The emirate aims to solidify its position as a regional center for creativity and artistic innovation.
