Ras Al Khaimah has revealed an extensive art and cultural programme for 2024, building on the Emirates’ dedication to arts and engaging local communities. The new programme will see the current Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival reborn as Ras Al Khaimah Art – a year-long programme focused on empowering emerging creatives and the community.
Evolving from the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, Ras Al Khaimah Art will be a hub for identifying and cultivating existing and emerging talent through an ongoing series of grants, masterclasses, and workshops held throughout the year. The programme kicks off with a month-long exhibition at the Sunken Garden at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre, which runs until December 15.
The special exhibition features a selection of works by Emirati photographers Faisal Al Raes and Nuwair Al Hajeri. It also showcases a specially curated display of bespoke jewellery from the private collection of Her Highness Sheikha Hana bint Juma Al Majid, including the spectacular The Savoy Headpiece and The Daisy Hand Ornament, both part of The Great Gatsby Collection by Tiffany & Co. Additionally, visitors can view creations from the exclusively crafted mother of pearl designer collection, EMES Fine Crafted jewelry by Emirati designer Mohammed Rashed Al Suwaidi. Inspired by his family’s pearl-diving heritage and featuring contemporary designs which merge with Mother of Pearl and traditional raw materials, the collection represents a creative reinterpretation of modern Emirati identity.
Commenting on the new identity, Dr. Natasha Ridge, Founding Executive Director of the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, said: “Ras Al Khaimah Art represents an evolution from the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, with year-round programming to serve as a catalyst to celebrate and stimulate the local art scene. The exhibition in DIFC is just one of many ways Ras Al Khaimah Art is attracting and showcasing home-grown and international talent. We are delighted to be working with inspiring artists, photographers, and filmmakers to provide just a small glimpse of the type of vibrant works that visitors will enjoy at our upcoming Festival in February 2024.”
Open for the public to visit and enjoy, the exhibition is one of many initiatives by Ras Al Khaimah Art aimed at enriching and redefining the creative scene in the UAE.
The 12th edition of the Festival is set to be an immersive and sensory cultural experience for local and international visitors alike. The month-long celebration bridges heritage with modernity in a vibrant community event, featuring a curated display by over 90 different artists, as well as inspiring masterclasses and public talks, live performances, outdoor cinema, and youth development programmes. Hosted within the Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, the location’s storied pathways bring a historic backdrop to immerse visitors as they venture step by step through the captivating installations.
