Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in partnership with Sandooq Al Watan, will host the Youth Cultural Summit on 26 August at the Etihad Museum. The event is designed to showcase the contributions of young professionals in the cultural sector and to provide a platform for dialogue, collaboration and creative exchange.
Organised by the Dubai Culture Youth Council in cooperation with the Dubai Youth Council, the summit highlights the Authority’s commitment to nurturing young talent. It aims to equip the next generation with skills, opportunities and networks to shape the cultural landscape and support Dubai’s vision as a global centre of creativity and innovation.
Officials said the summit reflects the city’s ongoing drive to empower youth voices while building strong cultural foundations for the future.
Focus on dialogue and innovation
The programme includes brainstorming sessions and interactive workshops addressing seven themes central to the role of youth in the cultural sphere. These will explore creative platforms for engagement, the contribution of young people to national identity, stronger ties with policymakers, the importance of institutional support, and building sustainable partnerships.
A central feature of the summit will be the National Culture Lab, a hands-on initiative encouraging participants to explore how innovation drives progress. The lab will introduce tools and approaches that foster experimentation and creative expression, enabling participants to test contemporary ideas in real time.
Workshops and sessions are expected to provide attendees with both educational insights and interactive experiences. Through these activities, the summit seeks to highlight youth-led solutions for sustaining cultural projects and expanding the UAE’s creative economy.
Highlighting youth achievements
The summit will also present the National Culture Pioneers exhibition, showcasing projects and achievements by young Emirati creatives. The exhibition aims to highlight the richness of the country’s culture while celebrating the role of emerging talent in carrying traditions forward in new and innovative ways.
By gathering young voices alongside decision-makers, entrepreneurs, artists and policymakers, organisers hope to encourage dialogue that can shape long-term strategies for cultural development.
A platform for the future
Dubai Culture has described the event as part of its broader efforts to engage the community in cultural dialogue. The Authority continues to position itself as a driver of creative initiatives that bring together diverse groups and empower future leaders.
The Youth Cultural Summit also reinforces the importance placed by the UAE on involving young people in shaping national identity and global presence. Organisers say the summit will provide participants with unique opportunities to learn, network and contribute to building the next chapter of Dubai’s cultural story.
With its blend of discussion, innovation and celebration of youth achievements, the gathering at Etihad Museum is expected to set the stage for new collaborations and ideas that will influence the region’s cultural future.
