The Ministry of Culture hosted the ‘Creative Factory’ on 22November at the Ajman Cultural Centre. This event, designed to strengthen the UAE’s cultural and creative industries (CCI) ecosystem, brought together a diverse group of experts and creatives from the public and private sectors, public benefit associations, theatre groups, and traditional folk troupes.

The initiative aligns with the Ministry’s efforts to nurture national talents and develop a dynamic creative environment. It underscores the Ministry’s recognition of the cultural and creative industries as essential pillars for building a sustainable economy and a knowledge-based society in the UAE. Additionally, it reflects a steadfast commitment to empowering creatives and talents, channelling their contributions to enhance the nation’s cultural and creative landscape.

Several sessions were held on the sidelines of the event, centering on three key themes. The first theme focused on developing a comprehensive “category map” to identify various entities within the cultural and creative industries ecosystem. This included outlining the creative cycle for each industry and mapping the creative’s journey across different sectors with the goal of identifying the roles and promoting better integration and collaboration among stakeholders.

The second theme focused on the trends and influences shaping the sector. The participants examined current developments affecting the cultural and creative industries and focused on identifying opportunities and addressing challenges. The goal of the discussion was to formulate strategies that support the sustainability and advancement of the cultural and creative industries in a rapidly changing environment.

The third theme envisioned the future of the cultural and creative industries, using the ‘scenario planning’ methodology. The participants presented forward-looking visions aimed at empowering the industries and developing flexible scenarios, based on innovation and progress, to position the UAE as a leading regional and global hub for creativity.

The ‘Creative Factory’ is part of the Ministry of Culture’s strategic priorities to empower and nurture the arts and literature sector, while advancing the creative economy agenda. This includes fostering a robust ecosystem that identifies, supports, and cultivates talent, as well as empowering creatives and integrating them into the labour market.

The event underscores the Ministry’s commitment to fostering a thriving creative economy in the country by creating an enabling environment that serves as an incubator for creatives and intellectuals. This approach aims to elevate the UAE’s cultural and creative presence both regionally as well as globally. Through its initiatives, the ‘Creative Factory’ seeks to enhance the position of the UAE as a global hub of creativity and innovation.