Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has signed a collaboration agreement with CLIO Oasis Project Management Services, establishing a framework for joint cultural, artistic and educational programming across the emirate.
The agreement was signed by Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, and Massimiliano Suglia, Founder of CLIO Desert Park, during the 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art (ISEA2026 Dubai), which runs until November 15 under the theme ELYAH: Constellating Place, Data, and Identity.
The partnership is designed to create opportunities for Emirati and UAE-based artists, encourage public participation in the arts and support Dubai Culture’s broader goal of positioning Dubai as an international hub for creative talent. Areas of focus include visual arts, contemporary artistic practices, digital art and new media.
Planned activities span artist talks, workshops, creative conversations and participatory experiences tied to existing Dubai Culture platforms, including Dubai Art Season, SIKKA Art and Design Festival and Al Quoz Creative Zone.
The two parties will also explore educational initiatives involving schools, universities and community organisations, covering bilingual learning materials, artist encounters, guided visits and residencies.
Specific projects under consideration include programming linked to the MOMO exhibition, the CLIO Art Book, and a public art concept called Human Touch, which features sculptures that respond with light or visual effects when touched.
CLIO Desert Park itself is a larger cultural venture centred on a 10-kilometre immersive artwork by artist Agron Hoti, to be permanently installed at Skydive Dubai Desert Campus, with support from Shamal Holding.
“Dubai’s creative sector thrives when artists have access to meaningful opportunities, strong professional networks and spaces that bring their work closer to the community. Through our partnership with CLIO Oasis, we aim to support dialogue, learning and participation while opening new avenues for Emirati and UAE-based talent to develop their practice and contribute to Dubai’s cultural and creative industries. By connecting creativity with education and community engagement, the agreement provides a foundation for long-term collaboration, knowledge exchange and capacity building. These efforts strengthen the role of culture in sustainable development and reinforce Dubai’s position as an attractive destination for creative talent from around the world,” Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture said in a statement.
“This partnership reflects our belief that art is most powerful when it creates genuine connections between people, place and community. By working with Dubai Culture, we look forward to creating thoughtful, accessible experiences that invite audiences to participate, discover new perspectives and engage with creativity in meaningful ways. Together, we hope to support artists, inspire the next generation and contribute to Dubai’s dynamic cultural landscape,” Massimiliano Suglia, Founder of CLIO Desert Park added.
