The main building of the Ministry of Culture is located in Abu Dhabi, with offices in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain.

Following the announcement by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the new structure of the federal government, which requires the integration of the National Media Council and the Federal Youth Authority with the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development to be the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry worked to create a new office under the name of the Media Office, thus assuming a number of specialties and functions that were under the responsibility of the former National Media Council.

The Office comprises two main departments: the Department of Media Regulation, which is responsible for preparing forward-looking research and studies related to the field of information, drafting legislation, regulations, standards and foundations for the organization and licensing of media and media activities, licensing management and follow-up of media content, which in turn ensures the application of legislation, regulations and standards relating to media services and media content.

The Office of Information Regulation studies, proposes and formulates the legislation, regulations, standards and foundations necessary to regulate the media sector in the uae.

• Federal Youth Authority
• National Media Council
• Heritage and Arts Sector
• Cultural and Creative Industries
• The National Commission for Education, Culture and Science

To preserve the UAE's identity, enhance and strengthen the position of the cultural, youth and media sectors globally and maximize their contribution as productive and effective sectors within the national economy by: - Preserving the national cultural heritage. - Promoting the cultural and creative industries. - Investing and empowering youth. - Regulating the media sector.

Culture that inspires the world and Youth shaping the future.

The Ministry of Culture seeks to provide the best services that enhance its role in improving the UAE's cultural and creative industries, and developing the creative economy in order to consolidate the country’s leadership position in the cultural sector, the most prominent of which are:

Creative Center services include:

• Rental service for theaters, halls and ministry spaces.
• Library membership grant service.
• Office material borrowing service.
• Office material borrowing extension service.

Antiquities services include:

• Service for the registration of artifacts and archaeological sites.
• The service of recording borrowed cultural objects.

Licenses for media activities include:

• Granting media licenses to a magazine or newspaper.
• Book the name of a magazine or newspaper.
• Ground/aerial photography permit.
• Permission to enter imaging equipment and machines.
• Granting a radio and television broadcast license.

Media material trading permissions include:

• Regulating the entry of media outlets through state outlets.
• Leave to trade newspapers and magazines.
• To print and authorize the circulation of publications and texts.
• License to trade works of art.

Accreditation of foreign correspondents.

The main building of the Ministry of Culture is located in Abu Dhabi, with offices in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, AL Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain.

After His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the new structure of the federal government which mandated the merger of the National Media Council and the Federal Youth Authority with the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, and its renaming as the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry created a new office under the name of the Media Regulatory Office to execute a number of functions and tasks previously under the National Media Council. Media Regulatory Office includes two main departments:

The Media Regulation Department, which is responsible for preparing research and foresight studies related to the media, formulating legislation, regulations, standards and foundations for organizing and licensing media and media activities.

The Department of Media Licenses and Media Content Follow up, which is responsible for issuing licenses and following up on media content. It also implements legislations, regulations, and standards related to media services and media content.

• Federal Youth Authority
• National Media Council
• Heritage and Arts Sector
• Cultural and Creative Industries
• The National Commission for Education, Culture and Science

To preserve the UAE's identity, enhance and strengthen the position of the cultural, youth and media sectors globally and maximize their contribution as productive and effective sectors within the national economy by: - Preserving the national cultural heritage. - Promoting the cultural and creative industries. - Investing and empowering youth. - Regulating the media sector.

Culture that inspires the world and Youth shaping the future

The Ministry of Culture (MCY) is a leading governmental authority focused on setting the UAE’s cultural agenda and nurturing creative talent. The Ministry’s mandate is centred around preserving the UAE’s national identity as well as promoting its position on the global cultural map. In line with the country’s aspirations to cement its knowledge-based economy, the Ministry plays a pivotal role in nurturing innovation and creativity in the UAE’s cultural sector and increasing its contribution to the national economy. This objective falls in line with the strategic objective and goals of the UAE Vision 2021, which charts the next stage in the country’s journey with a focus on preserving its rich heritage, sharing knowledge, and innovating.

Given their role in supporting economic development, the Ministry is dedicated to championing, cultivating and supporting the UAE’s creative industries. These encompass disciplines as diverse as cultural intangible heritage, cultural tangible heritage, literature, visual arts, performing arts, design, audio-visual media and digital innovation.

The Ministry works with several entities including the federal and local governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, and media institutions to protect and promote the country's cultural heritage and agenda.

The Ministry was first established under the name of the Ministry of Information and Culture, according to Article 58 of the temporary constitution of the United Arab Emirates, and under Federal Decree No. 1 of 1972, regarding the functions of the Ministries and the powers of the Ministers.

In 2006, Federal Decree-Law No. 1 of 2006 for amending some provisions of Federal Law No. 1 of 1972, was issued, upon which the Ministry of Information and Culture was cancelled, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development was developed.

A decade later in February 2016, the Council of Ministers issued a decision to add some specialties and change the name to the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.

Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi was appointed the Minister of Culture and Youth in October 2017.

Prior to this, Her Excellency was appointed as the UAE Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs to act as the key link between the Cabinet and the Federal National Council.

Noura Al Kaabi is also Chairwoman of the Media Zone Authority - Abu Dhabi (MZA) and twofour54, President of Zayed University and Chairwomen of ADNEC

The Ministry of Culture seeks to provide the best services that enhance its role in improving the UAE's cultural and creative industries, and developing the creative economy in order to consolidate the country’s leadership position in the cultural sector, the most prominent of which are:

Creative Center services include:

• Rental service for theaters, halls and ministry spaces.
• Library membership grant service.
• Office material borrowing service.
• Office material borrowing extension service.

Antiquities services include:

• Service for the registration of artifacts and archaeological sites.
• The service of recording borrowed cultural objects.

Licenses for media activities include:

• Granting media licenses to a magazine or newspaper.
• Book the name of a magazine or newspaper.
• Ground/aerial photography permit.
• Permission to enter imaging equipment and machines.
• Granting a radio and television broadcast license.

Media material trading permissions include:

• Regulating the entry of media outlets through state outlets.
• Leave to trade newspapers and magazines.
• To print and authorize the circulation of publications and texts.
• License to trade works of art.

Accreditation of foreign correspondents.

The strategy of the Ministry of Culture is based around four core pillars, centred around the promotion and preservation of the UAE national identity as well as creating a culture that inspires the world.

The four pillars are:

• Preserving cultural national identity: enhancing the pride of UAE citizens by preserving cultural heritage components and interacting with the community
• Enabling the UAE cultural sector: Discovering and creating a pool of national talents, developing a cultural infrastructure to create a world-class cultural landscape
• Enhancing the cultural and creative industry to develop a knowledge- based economy; through coordinating with active bodies/ encouraging research in the cultural and creative industry
• Strengthening the UAE’s position on the global cultural map by promoting cultural initiatives both regionally and internationally.

The Ministry focuses on six cultural industries which include Intangible Cultural Heritage, Tangible Cultural Heritage, Literature, Performing Arts, Design and Visual Arts.

The Ministry focuses on eight creative industries which include Digital Creativity, Audio-visual Media, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Tangible Cultural Heritage, Literature, Performing Arts, Design and Visual Arts.

Recognizing talent is key to the Ministry’s mandate for knowledge development and enabling the UAE’s cultural sector with an environment where emerging talent can thrive.

In line with this, the Ministry of Culture have launched several awards in visual arts, performing arts and literature.

The Ministry has also set up the Al Burda Award; launched in 2004, it is an international initiative focused on supporting and fostering creativity, as well as raising awareness about Islamic art and culture both locally and globally. This award recognizes talent in the categories of poetry and Arabic calligraphy with a mix of traditional and modern elements of Islamic art.

The Ministry has launched several projects and programmes that aim to successfully attract and nurture young Emirati talent. Such programmes include Al Burda initiative, an international platform for Islamic art and culture; and the UAE Cultural Week, an important platform that exemplifies a long-standing friendship between the UAE and France where creative energies of young talents are showcased.

Supporting national talent and encouraging the transfer and development of knowledge through international opportunities and platforms is a focus for the Ministry’s mandate to nurture the growing infrastructure of talent. To engage and inspire younger generations with a connection to their cultural identity is pivotal to strengthening the UAE’s position as a hub for nurturing talents globally.

The Ministry works with all seven Emirates to enhance the cultural heritage and offerings across the nation. The departments the Ministry works with are:

• Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi
• Dubai Culture and Arts Authority
• Department of Culture – Sharjah
• Sharjah Book Fair Authority
• Sharjah Art Foundations
• Sharjah Museum Authority
• Department of Tourism Development – Ajman
• Department of Tourism and Antiquities - Umm Al Quwain
• Department of Antiquities and Museums - Ras Al Khaimah
• Fujairah Authority for Culture and Information
• Ajman culture center

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Please visit the National Registry of Archaeological sites to find out more.

Please contact us on this number 800552255 and we will assist you on how to participate in our events.