Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has signed a memorandum of understanding with Spotify to support musicians and expand opportunities in the music sector.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).
The memorandum establishes cooperation between the two entities to support musicians and local talent, helping them gain visibility on platforms worldwide. The partnership marks the first agreement of its kind between Dubai Culture and Spotify.
Spotify and Dubai Culture partner to boost Emirati music talent on global platforms
The agreement enables the exchange of insights to support the development and delivery of cultural initiatives aligned with practices and music trends internationally. It provides for programmes that expand access for Emirati and UAE-based artists to resources and platforms that support growth, enhance competitiveness within the music sector, and deepen audience understanding through data and analytics.
The partnership includes support designed to help creatives sustain and progress their careers.
Both entities will launch programmes and collaborate on the development and sustainability of initiatives that encourage expression, cultural exchange, and innovation within the music sector in the area. The partnership will include the curation and delivery of projects that spotlight Dubai’s community of creatives.
“At Dubai Culture, talent development is a core pillar of our work across the cultural and creative industries. In the music sector, this translates into sustained support that enables musicians to develop, produce, and continue their practice over time. The agreement with Spotify is part of our broader efforts to support artists and creatives at all career stages and to strengthen the professional foundations of the music sector in Dubai. Through this approach, we are enabling musicians to build viable, long-term careers within a structured and supportive cultural environment,” Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority said in a statement.
“Dubai is a city shaped by creativity, diversity, and early adoption, where culture and innovation naturally intersect. As a global hub connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe, it’s playing an increasingly important role in the region’s music economy. At Spotify, we’re committed to empowering creators worldwide, and through our collaboration with Dubai Culture, we’re helping build a stronger local music ecosystem, supporting discovery and helping music coming out of Dubai reach listeners around the world,” Gustav Gyllenhammar, Senior Vice President of Markets and Subscriptions at Spotify added.
Dubai Culture Authority partnership with Spotify to develop music sector ecosystem
The memorandum reflects Dubai Culture’s efforts, through its programmes and initiatives including grants, artist residencies, and learning and talent development opportunities, to invest in the next generation of creatives and reinforce Dubai’s position as a destination defined by cultural diversity, infrastructure, and a legislative framework.
The agreement underscores the Authority’s commitment to innovation and to the cultural and creative sectors by fostering an ecosystem that enables musicians to build career pathways over time. This approach aligns with Spotify’s initiatives such as the RADAR Arabia programme, which supports talent, and the Fresh Finds Arabia playlist, which spotlights voices and connects them with audiences.
Spotify was founded nearly 19 years ago and is the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, connecting artists with audiences worldwide and helping music travel across borders.
Music streaming continues to play a role in the growth of industry revenues, with Spotify reporting payments of approximately $10 billion to rights holders in 2024. The platform’s user base has surpassed 713 million users, including 281 million subscribers, across more than 180 markets worldwide.
