Dubai: Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), launched the Dubai Photography Museum project. This new attraction aims to enhance Dubai’s museums sector by documenting the history of photography both regionally and globally, presenting a wide array of exhibits and collections.
According to Emirates News Agency, the museum is designed to offer interactive and educational spaces that engage and inspire, celebrating local and international photography talent. It aims to highlight the diverse journeys of photographers and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. Sheikha Latifa has emphasized Dubai’s commitment to global leadership through innovative initiatives and
projects, stating that the museum serves as a platform for exchanging knowledge and expertise with leading cultural institutions. It embodies Dubai’s commitment to innovation and fostering meaningful dialogue through arts and culture, while reflecting the emirate’s rich cultural diversity.
The Dubai Photography Museum underscores the UAE’s dedication to safeguarding cultural heritage, securing the legacy for future generations, and contributing to the global narrative of arts and creativity. It plays a crucial role in promoting cultural tourism, strengthening Dubai’s creative industries, and driving growth within the UAE’s thriving creative economy. A collaborative initiative between Dubai Culture and the private sector, the museum is dedicated to strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub for visual arts. It will provide a vibrant creative environment, attracting both local and international talent by supporting the transformation of artistic visions into impactful projects with economic value.
This pr
oject aligns with the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040, the cultural and heritage priorities of Dubai Plan 2030, and Dubai Culture’s mission to safeguard both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. It aims to promote the visual documentation of Dubai’s narrative on a local and global scale, reinforcing the city’s status as a dynamic cultural capital. The initiative comes at a time when the global photography market is expected to reach $62.4 billion by 2027 and when museums stimulate job creation in related industries worldwide, employing over 1.5 million people. This highlights the art form’s importance in supporting and strengthening cultural and creative industries.
The museum will preserve the region’s collective visual memory, serving as a leading international hub for photography. It will bring together photographers from around the world to exchange expertise, share and deepen knowledge, and offer educational resources and workshops for youth and photography enthusiasts. Additionally, the project will
attract leading cultural institutions in the field of photography, encouraging them to establish a presence within the museum’s facilities. It will facilitate creative exchanges and strengthen collaboration with local cultural institutions, enriching Dubai’s cultural tourism sector.
Among other plans, Dubai Culture will launch a global architectural competition next year, aimed at enabling architects and designers to present their visions for the new museum’s design. The competition will offer a prize of AED1 million. The museum’s design will include spaces for permanent and temporary exhibitions highlighting the history of photography, its styles and techniques, various photographic genres, a dedicated interactive children’s space, historical retrospectives, and multimedia projects.
The operational spaces will feature lecture halls, event and workshop areas, photography and restoration labs, a library and archive, as well as retail and food and beverage facilities.