The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has secured the prestigious Great Place to Work certification for 2025, a significant international recognition awarded by the U.S.-based organization. Announced on December 16, 2025, this achievement makes Dubai Culture the first cultural entity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to receive the accolade, underscoring its commitment to fostering a workforce foundation built on trust, professional excellence, and high employee satisfaction. The certification follows an extensive, independent evaluation confirming the Authority’s success in cultivating an environment that champions empowerment, positive engagement, and innovation among its staff.
Measuring Workplace Excellence
Dubai Culture successfully met all criteria required for the certification, which utilizes a rigorous, research-based methodology to independently measure staff involvement and satisfaction. The assessment highlighted exceptional results across several key organizational indicators. Evaluators noted high levels of employee pride and a strong sense of belonging, coupled with effective internal communication, robust teamwork, and a solid focus on work-life balance and employee welfare. Furthermore, the Authority demonstrated a concrete commitment to occupational health and safety, placing it among the leading workplaces across the UAE.
Mansoor Lootah, CEO of the Corporate Enablement Sector and Chief AI Officer at Dubai Culture, emphasized that the certification is a notable landmark in the Authority’s dedication to its personnel.
“This certification marks an important milestone in our journey towards excellence and reinforces our competitiveness within the local landscape,” Lootah stated. He affirmed the Authority’s commitment to strengthening employee skills and creating a framework for innovative ideas that propel Dubai Culture’s broader cultural mission. This achievement, he added, directly aligns with Dubai’s vision to nurture local talent and provide growth opportunities, ultimately encouraging collective success. Lootah described the recognition as the culmination of sustained effort to build a progressive organization focused on enhancing employee wellbeing.
Commitment to HR Practices and Trust
The Great Place to Work organization is recognized globally for its expertise in assessing workplace culture. It evaluates organizations using comprehensive employee surveys and reviews of organizational practices to benchmark standards of respect, trust, fairness, and pride. Achieving this certification validates an organization’s success in building systems that employees value and trust.
Mohammed Obaid Al Marri, Director of the Human Resources Department at Dubai Culture, highlighted the award’s importance in reflecting the continuous strengthening of the Authority’s internal culture.
“This certification demonstrates our progress in adopting effective HR practices and cultivating a workplace where ideas, creativity, and professional development are encouraged,” Al Marri commented. He further noted that the accolade affirms the high level of confidence employees hold in the governance and structured environment guiding their daily operations, attributing the success to collective effort and transparent processes.
Implications for the Cultural Sector
Dubai Culture’s achievement sets a new benchmark for public and cultural entities across the UAE. By gaining this international standard, the Authority demonstrates that cultural institutions can excel not just in their public mandate but also in creating top-tier working environments. This recognition reinforces the strategic importance of human capital in executing Dubai’s ambitious cultural agenda. Moving forward, the Authority plans to continue its focus on departmental development and maintaining a motivating, forward-looking setting, confirming its commitment to sustained excellence in workplace culture.