Art gets smart

Art and culture experts discuss how to advance the region's industry through helping artists, focusing on education and making galleries and museums more accessible to the public.

In what ways do you hope to advance the arts and culture industry in the region?

Al-Shroogi: The idea with Cuadro was to go beyond being a gallery; we want it to be an arts centre and give something back to the community. There is 1300ft² of exhibition space, a lecture hall for 100-120 people; a video screening room for 45-50 people; and a resident's studio.

I also think that until we have the real museums in Dubai, we as galleries are the custodians of the arts, so it's up to us to be able to conserve our artwork, so we have a dedicated art restoration room and a full-time restorer starting in January, who will take on local apprentices.

Al Falasi: I think the DIFC speaks for itself; you've witnessed all the activities and initiatives we have been involved in.

We have three galleries that have opened up at The Gate Village and three set to open, plus we try and encourage more exhibitors and private exhibitions, and work with Art Dubai and the DCAA.

Collins: The Majlis Gallery wasn't really set up as a commercial organisation; I think the intrinsic value of what we have to offer here is this environment of art in the Bastakiya rather than it being a fully commercial enterprise.

And that fulfils us; so here we stay despite the strictures of having survived so many different kinds of challenges; the structure itself, parking etc.

There's always been an ‘on the edge' about the Bastakiya; it's always been hanging on with our fingertips, hoping that what we are doing is going to have some significant relationship to the survival of this area as a cultural area.

Fortunately, with the support of the government, and all of our colleagues and our clients, we've nearly got to the top of the mountain.

Al Nabooda: The DCAA is here to address everything this sector needs to flourish. We are a government employee; we don't say we know everything, but we know how to get things done and delivered right and where we have always been successful is to work with the expert who knows his field.

We know it's going to take decades to realise this trend and what we feel is best is to keep growth organically taking place in Dubai; we're just going to speed it up Dubai speed.

This is a point where we are proud about Dubai; it's not that we're coming and engineering culture, it's just been overshadowed before. Regarding the Bastakiya, we want it to be the most comprehensive cultural destination in the world and want this to be an open-door museum. I think the struggling days are over.

We want to address local talents and look at the teething issues culture is facing in Dubai and that's why I'm here at this roundtable, more to listen than speak, and rest assured, my notes will be taken very seriously and immediately we'll look at how to realise these things. We'd rather walk and then talk.

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