ADMAF Celebrates Three Decades of Shaping the UAE’s Cultural Landscape.
Abu Dhabi (Web Desk):: The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) is marking 30 years of advancing arts, culture and creative talent in the UAE, celebrating three decades of investment in arts education, cultural exchange and the development of Emirati and UAE-based artists.
Established in 1996 under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Patron of ADMAF, the Foundation has become an important part of the UAE’s cultural landscape.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan said ADMAF continues to support Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a leading global centre for culture and the arts. He highlighted the Foundation’s role in recognising culture and the arts as an important force for enriching society, connecting people and cultures, and reflecting the UAE’s values of tolerance, stability and service to society.
Founded by H.E. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, ADMAF has spent three decades supporting young people, nurturing emerging Emirati and UAE-based talent, expanding access to arts education and developing cultural partnerships locally and internationally.
Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF and Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said the Foundation was established from a strong sense of responsibility towards the nation, society, young people and artists whose talents and aspirations deserved opportunities to grow.
She added that the Foundation’s future focus will include empowering young people through new ideas and technologies while remaining connected to the UAE’s values, identity and cultural heritage.
To mark its 30th anniversary, ADMAF is presenting a dedicated programme across its digital and social media platforms featuring archival material, contemporary content, testimonials and personal stories from Emirati and Arab artists who have benefited from the Foundation’s programmes.
Thirty alumni artists will feature prominently in the anniversary celebrations, sharing their experiences, creative work and perspectives on the UAE’s cultural development and ADMAF’s contribution over the past three decades.
According to ADMAF, the Foundation has engaged around 150,000 students through nearly 2,500 educational initiatives across all seven Emirates. Since 2004, 2,608 Emirati creatives have also participated in 296 professional development opportunities.
The Foundation has further contributed to the UAE’s international cultural presence through 150 international co-productions and partnerships with 43 international and 13 national organisations. Since 2004, Abu Dhabi Festival has presented 42 world premieres, 97 Middle East debuts and 43 UAE debuts.
Looking ahead, ADMAF said it will continue widening access to arts and culture, introducing cultural firsts in music and visual arts to Abu Dhabi, and working with national and international partners on projects exploring new ideas and technologies.
The Foundation said these efforts will support Abu Dhabi’s continued development as a global centre for culture and creativity.
The 30th-anniversary celebrations, beginning in September, will feature 30 artists and alumni: Hamad Al Taee, Almaha Jaralla, Mohamed Al Hosani, Asmaa Al Remeithi, Hamdan Al-Abri, Ahmad Alariqi, Azza Al Suwaidi, Yaser Saeed Alneyadi, Sarra Alshehhi, Sara Al Ali, Moza Almatrooshi, Badria Salim, Khaled Shalkha & Sara Abu Farha, Shaikha Alketbi, Elham Al Marzooqi, Reem Alnoamani, Dana Alkatheeri, Mohamed Hamad Aljneibi, Maitha Alansaari, Mohamed Alowais, Abdulrahman Al Madani, Jumairy, Heba Aljuneibi, Ammar Alattar, Hala El Abora, Noura AlSerkal, Budoor Alnowais, Sarah Almehairi, Hazza Abualreesh and Zayed Al Zaabi.
Follow ADMAF’s 30th-anniversary celebrations on Instagram at@admafsocial and online at https://30.admaf.org/
