This unique, innovative programme for children and teenagers features drawing and sound art workshops plus artist-led tours of the fair
Art Dubai’s eighth edition takes place March 19-22, 2014
Art Dubai 2013, Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program, photo courtesy Art Dubai
Dubai, UAE: Art Dubai, the leading international art fair in the Middle East and South Asia, announces The Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program, a set of artist-conceived projects for children and teenagers.
Held under the patronage and guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment, wife of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, UAE, the program is an initiative promoted by The Cultural Office of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which was established in 2013 to serve as a platform to develop and activate substantial art movements as milestones within the region.
Part of Art Dubai’s long-standing commitment to arts education for all ages, The Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program was launched in 2013 to promote art appreciation among children, through specially-designed and artist-led educational activities. This year‘s programme expands to include activities for teenagers as well as children (covering ages 5-16), with the projects led by both international and UAE-based artists. There are more than 15 events throughout the week of the fair (March 19-22).
Mona Bin Kalli, Director of The Cultural Office said: “Inspired by Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s longstanding belief that arts education is an integral part of a child’s early development, we are pleased to organize The Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program for a second year in partnership with Art Dubai. Moreover, in line with Dubai’s vision to establish this nation as an international hub for the arts, our objective for this program is to introduce a new generation of creative thinkers to the powerful world of art and give them the confidence to pursue a career; thus adding to the every growing and evolving UAE arts community.”
Art Dubai and The Cultural Office have invited Australia-based artist Dylan Martorell as featured artist for the Sheikha Manal Little Artists programme in 2014. Dylan works in drawing, installation and sound: for The Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program in Art Dubai, he has devised a set of dynamic and innovative workshops (for ages 5-8 and 9-12) that will have the young artists creating sounds from drawings and instruments from upcycled materials. Assisting him will be the UAE-based artists Reem Falaknaz and Sara Naim.
Dylan is also running a workshop for UAE-based artists interested in developing their skills in both sound art and children’s art education, sharing his knowledge and experience in this innovative area.
The Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program also features the return of Discovery Tours, which proved a hit at last year’s fair. Led by UAE-based artists Rania Jishi, Athier Moussawi and Khawla Darwish, and specially designed for ages 8-12 and 13-16, these tours enable young people to discover all aspects of the fair, with the works brought alive via a series of maps and the story-telling of the guides.
“We take Art Dubai’s spirit of innovation and discovery right through to the programming for children and families: through these unique, artist-led projects, children get immersed in art and develop their ideas and skills in a fun environment. Last year more than 120 children participated, and this year we hope to welcome even more little artists to take part,” says Antonia Carver, Art Dubai Fair Director.
About the Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program:
This programme was launched in 2013 under the patronage and guidance of Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women’s Establishment, Wife of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs UAE. Featuring artist-led workshops, tours and other projects, the programme provides access to skills and ideas for UAE-based children and teenagers aged 5-16 – with the long-term aim to encourage young people to get involved and excel in the arts.
About the lead artist Dylan Martorell:
Dylan Martorell was born in Scotland in 1971, and now lives and works in Melbourne, Australia. Transience, improvisation and collaboration form the basis of his music-based art practice. Housed within the conceptual framework of a musical diaspora, his work is drawn to ways in which music travels through space and is affected by changes in geography, climate, culture and materials, and can become an agent for cross-cultural reciprocation.
Focusing on the use of site-specific gleaned materials and incorporating elements of upcycling, DIY culture, robotics and alternative power sources, Martorell’s recent projects conducted in Thailand, India, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore and Australia have explored concepts of transience, portability and sustainability. He is currently working on a variety of cross-cultural projects combining musical robotics with site-specific community-based interactions.
Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program Tours and Workshops at Art Dubai
Wednesday March 19
4.30-5.30pm Artist Workshop (ages 5-8)
5-6pm Discovery Tour (ages 8-12)
6-7pm Artist Workshop (ages 9-12)
Thursday March 20
4.30-5.30pm Artist Workshop (ages 5-8)
5-6pm Discovery Tour (ages 13-16)
6-7pm Artist Workshop (ages 9-12)
Friday March 21
3.30-4.30pm Artist Workshop (ages 5-8)
4-5Pm Discovery Tour (ages 8-12)
5.30-6.30pm Artist Workshop (ages 9-12)
6-7pm Discovery Tour (ages 13-16)
6.30-7.30pm Artist workshop (ages 9-12)
Saturday March 22
2-3pm Artist Workshop (ages 5-8)
3-4pm Discovery Tour (ages 8-12)
4-5pm Artist Workshop (ages 9-12)
5-6pm Discovery Tour (ages 13-16)
Sheikha Manal Little Artists Centre: location
The Little Artists Centre is located on Terrace 2, Madinat Jumeirah. Participation in the workshops is free-of-charge and in high-demand: it is highly-recommended that those interested in attending register online. Please visit this page for more information:
http://www.artdubai.ae/children/2014/sheikha-manal-little-artists/2014
The Cultural Office of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
The Cultural Office of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was established in early 2013 to serve as the official platform to develop and activate substantial art movements as milestones within the region. Many existing art related projects have now been directly placed under the cultural office and a lot more of future planned programs will help raise the profile of the pool of talents existing in the region. The Cultural Office combines the best art practices and concepts from around the world and tailors it to respect and preserve our legacy and culture in the Arab world for International recognition.
About Art Dubai:
The eighth edition of Art Dubai takes place March 19-22, 2014.
Art Dubai is held in partnership with The Abraaj Group and is sponsored by Cartier and Emaar. Madinat Jumeirah is home to the event.
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is a strategic partner of Art Dubai and supports the fair’s year-round education programme.
Art Dubai Modern 2014 is sponsored by Mashreq Private Banking.
Alongside the gallery halls, comprising Contemporary, Modern and Marker, the fair’s extensive not-for-profit programme includes site-specific works for Art Dubai Projects, radio and film; an exhibition of works by winners of the annual The Abraaj Group Art Prize; the critically-acclaimed Global Art Forum and Campus Art Dubai—the free Saturday School for curators, artists and cultural workers living in the UAE. artdubai.ae