AED 1 million theatre initiative launched by UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth

A new initiative by the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth will provide theatre professionals with nearly AED 1 million in financial assistance.

Create Theatre aims to support young people and professionals working in the field, enabling them to produce high-quality content and maximize public impact.

Create Theatre includes four types of grants that will provide financial and logistical support for theatre-related events designed to encourage and attract more talent to the creative industry.

The four grants are used for capacity building and skills enhancement, local tours of theatrical performances, international festivals of theatrical performances participation and operational support.

Interested creatives and troupes need to fill out an online form related to funding that best suits their needs.

“Theatre is a very powerful tool to give people a voice,” Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, told National.

“It also plays a powerful role in bringing people together and building social cohesion. Drama is a unifying medium that discusses relevant issues and themes that stem from everyday life. In fact, it is the most influential and One of the most powerful forms of media.”

The UAE has a rich heritage in storytelling and performance on stage. Theater has been popular in the area since the 1950s.

Today, Emirati theatre continues to engage with younger generations, explore important issues in society, build Emirati cultural values, and aspire to a new generation of performers and audiences.

“We want to see theatre as a self-sufficient industry,” said Al Kaabi.

“A holistic ecosystem that creates jobs and income, not only socially and artistically, but also economically contributes to the development of the country.”

For more information on the four funding and application criteria, please visit www.mcy.gov.ae

Updated: 10/18/2022 11:37am