Awards recognise patrons of the arts

Forty individuals and organisations who have contributed more than Dh130 million in the past year towards the development of the Dubai arts scene were honoured yesterday.

More than half of the people recognised at the second Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts awards were new donors.

"This year was more challenging in terms of making the ceremony truly cultural. It's heartwarming that so many people support Dubai's arts and culture," said Saeed Nabouda, the acting director general of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

The ceremony at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel, on the Palm Jumeirah, was attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, who handed out the awards, and Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed, the chairman of the arts authority.

The awards are given to patrons who contributed more than Dh5m each year over a three-year period.

Visual arts accounted for almost 51 per cent of the total support, followed by film at 33 per cent, the performing arts at 11 per cent and literature at 5 per cent.

Mohammed al Murr, the vice president of the authority, said the event was "a mark of gratitude and respect to those who work to shape the cultural dynamic of Dubai in the long-term".

New supporters included Tala Badri, the owner of a musical arts centre, Dr Samiha Lufti, an Emirati physician, and Tecom Investments, a company that develops knowledge-based industries.

Distinguished patron awards went to Dr Farhad Farjam, the owner of the Farjam Collection, as well as Dubai Pearl, Abraaj Capital, Emirates Airline, Jumeirah, Majid Al Futtaim Group and Tecom Investments.

: The National

Monday, April 4, 2011