Sheikha Latifa Visits World Art Dubai 2025 Supporting Creative Growth

Art has long been one of the most powerful tools for cultural dialogue and social cohesion. As Dubai continues to assert itself as a global cultural hub, the city’s annual celebration of art and creativity—World Art Dubai—serves as a hallmark event that reflects the UAE’s progressive commitment to nurturing creative talent and fostering cross-cultural exchanges. Now in its 11th edition, World Art Dubai 2025 has once again transformed the halls of the Dubai World Trade Centre into a vibrant canvas of imagination, with more than 10,000 works on display from artists hailing from across the globe. The event received a significant boost in visibility and support this year through the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), who visited the fair to show her continued patronage of the arts.

Her Highness’s presence at the exhibition reaffirmed the Emirate’s unyielding belief in the transformative power of art and creativity. By engaging with artists and art lovers from diverse backgrounds, Sheikha Latifa not only celebrated the works on display but also encouraged the kind of creative dialogue that Dubai aspires to promote globally. Through her visit, she emphasized the city’s strategic direction toward investing in the creative economy and cultivating a welcoming environment for artists to thrive.

An Expansive Showcase of Global Artistic Talent

World Art Dubai 2025 has grown exponentially since its inception. From humble beginnings to now being the region’s largest affordable retail art fair, the event has become a vital meeting point for artists, collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts from around the world. This year’s edition welcomed over 400 exhibitors, including more than 160 solo artists and 120 galleries representing a striking array of 65 countries. With over 10,000 art pieces spanning various disciplines—paintings, sculptures, digital art, installations, and more—the fair captured the rich tapestry of contemporary global art under one roof.

The Dubai World Trade Centre, transformed into an artistic haven, played host to this fusion of cultural expression. Visitors were drawn to the diversity of themes, techniques, and narratives presented through the artworks, and many had the chance to interact directly with artists to understand the stories and philosophies behind each piece. The democratized approach of the event—emphasizing affordability and accessibility—allowed art to be appreciated not just by connoisseurs and collectors, but also by everyday enthusiasts eager to experience creativity firsthand.

Sheikha Latifa’s Tour of the Fair

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa’s tour of the exhibition was more than a ceremonial appearance—it was a heartfelt engagement with the artists and their works. She moved through the various pavilions, stopping frequently to speak with creators, inquire about their techniques, inspirations, and cultural backgrounds, and offer words of encouragement. This direct interaction between leadership and the creative community resonated deeply with the artists and attendees, reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a city where leadership is actively invested in cultural development.

Sheikha Latifa was particularly drawn to works that reflected contemporary social themes, experimental media, and cross-cultural narratives. She expressed admiration for the courage and innovation displayed by the participating artists, applauding their commitment to pushing creative boundaries and using art as a platform for storytelling. Her Highness also took time to discuss the broader cultural ecosystem with curators and gallery owners, highlighting how Dubai Culture is working to create sustainable support structures for artists across the Emirate.

Championing the Creative Economy

At the heart of Sheikha Latifa’s message during her visit was a clear emphasis on the role of the creative economy in Dubai’s development. The Emirate has, in recent years, taken bold steps to position itself as a global center for culture and innovation. Initiatives under Dubai Culture and broader government strategies have sought to provide artists, designers, and other creatives with the resources, visibility, and institutional backing required to thrive in a competitive global landscape.

Through her involvement with World Art Dubai 2025, Her Highness reinforced the city’s commitment to fostering an inclusive creative economy—one that supports both emerging and established talents and reflects the multicultural identity of Dubai. She spoke of the importance of expanding educational programs, artist residencies, and public art initiatives as key pillars in cultivating a generation of homegrown creators. Her words underscored the belief that culture is not merely an aesthetic pursuit but a catalyst for innovation, social progress, and community cohesion.

A Platform for Dialogue and Exchange

World Art Dubai 2025 served as a vital space for intercultural dialogue. With its wide international participation, the event became a melting pot of artistic expression from Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Each booth, painting, and installation became a story—a fragment of an artist’s worldview offered to a global audience. The fair’s format encouraged conversation, collaboration, and curiosity, which are fundamental to building deeper cultural understanding.

Sheikha Latifa’s visit to the fair emphasized how events like this are instrumental in fostering peaceful dialogue between nations and communities. By offering artists from various geopolitical contexts the opportunity to share their perspectives through art, Dubai is positioning itself as a neutral, inclusive, and inspirational space for creative discourse. Her Highness was particularly keen on recognizing works that challenged conventional narratives, addressed issues like sustainability and mental health, or reinterpreted heritage through a modern lens.

Empowering the Next Generation of Artists

Youth engagement also emerged as a strong theme throughout the 2025 edition of the fair. Many of the solo artists exhibiting for the first time were under the age of 30, and several education-driven initiatives were incorporated into the programming. Workshops, live art performances, mentorship sessions, and artist talks provided aspiring creatives with tools and exposure to pursue careers in the arts. This emphasis on youth was something Sheikha Latifa lauded during her visit.

Her Highness reiterated the importance of encouraging young talent to see art as a viable career path, supported by strong educational foundations and institutional support. In her conversations with student artists, she shared insights into how cultural heritage and contemporary innovation can be blended to create unique artistic identities. She also praised the organizers for curating a program that was as much about inspiration and learning as it was about exhibition and sales.

Innovative Artistic Expressions on Display

One of the defining features of World Art Dubai 2025 was the inclusion of cutting-edge art forms. Digital art, augmented reality (AR) installations, and mixed-media projects attracted substantial attention from visitors and were representative of a new wave of artistic exploration. These works invited audiences to interact with art in non-traditional ways, breaking down the barrier between observer and creator.

Sheikha Latifa, a known advocate for innovation and digital transformation in the arts, showed particular interest in these future-forward expressions. She engaged with tech-driven artists who explained how AI tools, blockchain platforms, and virtual reality are revolutionizing how art is created, curated, and consumed. Her enthusiasm for such developments reflected Dubai Culture’s ongoing initiatives to integrate technology with tradition, ensuring the city’s cultural landscape evolves with global trends.

Bridging Cultures Through Artistic Language

Perhaps the most profound takeaway from Sheikha Latifa’s presence at World Art Dubai 2025 was the reminder that art remains a universal language. The exhibition created bridges between cultures that may never otherwise intersect, building empathy and understanding through visual expression. Whether it was an Emirati artist exploring heritage through abstract forms or a South American painter addressing environmental justice, the shared space allowed diverse voices to be heard equally.

Her Highness celebrated this confluence, stating that platforms like World Art Dubai are not only about showcasing talent but about creating a rhythm of mutual respect, creative curiosity, and openness. Her vision for Dubai as a nexus of cultural exchange and creative collaboration was vividly mirrored in every interaction she had during the event.

Dubai’s Continued Ascent as a Cultural Capital

The 2025 edition of World Art Dubai offered a vivid snapshot of a city deeply invested in its cultural future. Through the leadership and involvement of figures like Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai continues to build momentum as a magnet for global talent and innovation in the arts. Her visit to the event served as an emblem of the Emirate’s inclusive vision, strategic foresight, and heartfelt dedication to supporting creative expression at all levels of society.

From engaging with young artists to endorsing experimental media and cultural dialogue, Her Highness’s participation in World Art Dubai 2025 was not just symbolic but deeply transformative—echoing the belief that art is essential to building not only cultural capital but a stronger, more connected world.