Dubai: Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced the return of the Sikka Art & Design Festival for its 14th edition, running from January 23 to February 1 at the Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood. Held under the patronage of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, the festival will bring together more than 450 artists and creatives from the UAE, the wider region, and around the world.

Held under the theme “Imagining Dubai: Identities of the Future,” Sikka Art & Design Festival is part of Dubai Art Season and offers a rich, multidisciplinary programme spanning visual arts, design, public art, performing arts, and technology. The festival celebrates both established and emerging creatives from the UAE and the Gulf, while also highlighting international perspectives through its International Houses showcase.

More than 250 artworks will be presented across 16 houses, reflecting a wide range of artistic practices shaped by the festival’s theme. Curation is led by a diverse group of specialists, including Moza Lootah, Esra Ozkan, Kamal Al Zoubi, Ahlam AlBannai, Saeed Alketbi, Majedah Alawadhi, Yara Ayoob, Ahmad Makary, Alanood Bukhammas, Zena Adhami, Noura Al Falahi, and Kotaro Watanabe, each overseeing dedicated thematic houses.

In addition to exhibitions, the festival will host daily workshops and talks for both adults and children, led by prominent creatives and cultural practitioners. New murals aligned with the Dubai Public Art Strategy will also be unveiled. Visitors can enjoy live performances, music, supper clubs, a food market, and curated retail outlets featuring homegrown brands. The festival also provides opportunities for entrepreneurs to showcase and sell products inspired by culture and creativity.

Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of the Arts, Design & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, said the festival has become a cornerstone of Dubai’s arts ecosystem by nurturing emerging talent, opening new opportunities for artists, and encouraging dialogue with the public. She noted that Sikka’s community-led approach goes beyond traditional exhibitions, creating space for collaboration, experimentation, and cross-disciplinary exchange, while remaining deeply rooted in the city’s heritage.

The festival’s theme draws inspiration from Dubai’s past and its identity as a city shaped by movement and reinvention, inviting reflection on how its cultural identity continues to evolve while remaining connected to history and everyday life.

Alongside the festival, Music District has announced the “Empowering Emirati Musicians” programme, launched in strategic partnership with Dubai Culture. The year-long initiative will provide structured training for young Emirati musicians in string, wind, and traditional instruments. Open to emerging artists under the Dubai Cultural Grant, the programme will select 20 participants for its first cohort, with applications closing on January 25.

Participants will receive advanced instruction from local and international teachers, take part in concerts and music events in the UAE and abroad, and join field visits to Cremona, Italy, to explore violin-making, as well as to France to study wind-instrument manufacturing. Training begins in February and continues for 12 months.

Shavkat Mamadjonov, Founder of Music District, described the programme as an investment in the future of the UAE’s music scene, offering young Emirati creatives access to world-class education and performance opportunities. Al Suwaidi added that the initiative provides an inspiring environment for artists to expand their skills and contribute meaningfully to the UAE’s cultural landscape.

Since its launch in 2011, Sikka Art & Design Festival has grown from a small visual arts showcase into one of the UAE’s most dynamic annual cultural platforms. Originally held in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood before expanding to Al Shindagha, the festival has increased in both scale and scope, becoming an integral part of Dubai’s social and urban fabric while championing local talent and engaging with the global creative community.