Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently inaugurated the House of Arts at Expo City Dubai, opening a vital new multidisciplinary hub dedicated to elevating artistic talent from the UAE and the wider Arab world. The official opening ceremony, held on November 18, 2025, ushered in a significant chapter in Expo City Dubai’s cultural maturation, establishing the venue as a central platform for making regional art accessible to diverse audiences. The new facility resides within the distinguished, repurposed former Morrocco Pavilion, an award-nominated structure now spanning seven comprehensive floors dedicated to exhibitions, workshops, and immersive programming.
Showcasing Diverse Regional Voices
The inauguration featured the House of Arts’ debut exhibition, fittingly titled “Entanglement,” which immediately established the venue’s mission of fostering cross-cultural dialogue. The showcase brought together the works of 18 artists hailing from the UAE, the GCC, and the broader Arab region, demonstrating a rich tapestry of contemporary expression rooted in regional heritage.
During her tour of the inaugural galleries, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, who serves as the Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, commended the artists for the originality and depth of their perspectives. She underscored the necessity of such platforms for enriching the local cultural landscape.
“The exhibition highlights the distinct creative voices of its participating artists,” Her Highness stated, emphasizing that the strength of the showcase lies in its “diversity of perspectives on display that open space for dialogue and build bridges between local, Gulf, and Arab artistic talent.” She added that these exchanges are crucial for strengthening the country’s artistic movement and establishing a sustainable ecosystem that supports the creative industries.
Weaving Tradition into Contemporary Art
A major highlight of the “Entanglement” exhibition was the innovative reinterpretation of traditional regional crafts, particularly Sadu weaving, a practice recognized and inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Artists and designers transformed this ancestral craftsmanship—often associated with fiber and textiles—into contemporary mediums.
The exhibition featured works that recontextualized heritage through striking installations, spanning from metal and digital interpretations to suspended textiles and evocative sand-based sculptures. Visitors were invited on a contemplative journey exploring local and regional narratives, with artworks drawing inspiration from deep Gulf traditions like Sadu and pearl diving. These pieces emphasized the intergenerational connections inherent in Gulf culture, blending historical techniques with modern creative expressions.
A Model for Institutional Collaboration
The establishment of the House of Arts reflects a strategic partnership between Dubai Culture and Expo City Dubai, illustrating a robust model for cultural integration between major institutions. Her Highness Sheikha Latifa highlighted this collaboration as a shared commitment to empowering the creative sector and supporting cultural diversity across the emirate.
Amna Abulhoul, Executive Creative Director of Entertainment and Experiences at Expo City Dubai, articulated the hub’s significance, noting its role as a continuity of the city’s post-Expo mission. “Today, as the lights go out at the second edition of Dhai Dubai, we spark a new light at House of Arts, a new home for the region’s artists and creatives to experiment, connect and thrive,” Abulhoul said. She described the inaugural exhibition as a vibrant tapestry that breathes new life into ancient traditions and heritage, connecting generations of dreamers at the creative heart of Expo City Dubai.
The partnership aims to further strengthen Dubai’s global standing as a core hub for creativity and innovation, ensuring that the legacy of bringing global cultures together continues through the sustained support of regional arts. The House of Arts now provides a permanent space for experimentation, dialogue, and collaborative cultural exploration within the dynamic setting of Expo City Dubai.