Under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), Dubai continues to build a strong and globally connected creative economy. Her Highness’ vision emphasizes the importance of providing creative professionals with tools, skills, and networks that help them succeed in a competitive and fast-changing world.

Since 2020, Dubai Culture has partnered with LinkedIn to support the UAE’s creative talent. This collaboration has been a major step towards empowering creative professionals with the knowledge, visibility, and opportunities they need to grow. Over the past five years, this partnership has helped creatives complete 53,500 training courses, watch 265,000 educational videos, and log more than 16,800 hours of learning.

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A Vision for Creativity

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa said:
"This partnership with LinkedIn has shown that connecting talent with knowledge and opportunity can spark transformations that reach far beyond the creative economy, shaping the very way we live, work, and imagine what’s possible. The success we have witnessed affirms my belief in the boundless potential of our creative community; they are dreamers, innovators, and changemakers, and it is our duty to ensure they have the tools to turn their visions into achievements that inspire the world."

This statement reflects her strong belief in the boundless potential of creative professionals in Dubai and the UAE. The partnership shows how the government is focused on not just creating opportunities, but also equipping people with the skills and knowledge necessary to make the most of them.

Origins of the Partnership

The partnership between Dubai Culture and LinkedIn began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the creative sector faced unprecedented challenges. Like many others around the world, Dubai’s artists, designers, and cultural professionals were affected by closures, restrictions, and economic uncertainty.

In response, Dubai Culture and LinkedIn launched an initiative to support creatives by providing access to online learning, training programs, and professional development resources. This was initially meant as a lifeline during the crisis, giving creatives a way to sharpen their skills, gain practical knowledge, and prepare for the future.

Over time, what started as a temporary solution became a long-term program aimed at building resilience, creativity, and career readiness among Dubai’s creative professionals. Today, the initiative is recognized as a major pillar supporting the growth of the creative economy in Dubai.

Statements from LinkedIn

Ali Matar, Head of LinkedIn MENA and emerging markets, praised the partnership, saying:
"We are proud to join forces with Dubai Culture, a valued partner that has played a vital role in making our city a hub for creative talent. At a time when upskilling has become a necessity for the entire workforce, this partnership has allowed us to support creative professionals with the tools they need to navigate a rapidly changing world of work and unleash their full potential."

He also highlighted the future of the collaboration, stating that LinkedIn looks forward to helping expand Dubai’s cultural and creative ecosystem, benefiting the city’s community now and for generations to come.

Growth of Dubai’s Creative Community

The partnership has had a major impact on the creative talent ecosystem in the UAE. Between 2022 and 2025, the number of UAE-based creative professionals registered on LinkedIn grew by 175%, significantly higher than the global growth rate of 104% in the same period.

By the end of 2024, 53,500 course registrations had been completed by creative professionals. Many of these courses focus on advanced and future-focused skills, including artificial intelligence, ensuring that the creative community is ready for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Dubai Culture and LinkedIn have set an ambitious goal to support 10,000 creative professionals by 2025 with skills, knowledge, and career opportunities. This demonstrates a long-term commitment to nurturing talent and positioning Dubai as a global hub for arts and culture.

Expanding Opportunities

Following the success of the program, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa instructed that the partnership be expanded and extended. The emphasis will be on giving creative professionals greater access to job opportunities and creating direct connections between talent and the job market.

During a high-level meeting, attended by Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, Ali Matar of LinkedIn, and senior executives from both organizations, Her Highness outlined the next steps. The goal is to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global centre for creativity, nurturing talent, innovation, and cultural growth.

Supporting Creativity in the UAE

The Dubai Culture and LinkedIn initiative is an excellent example of how collaboration between government and global organizations can transform communities. By providing creative professionals with training, networking, and visibility, the partnership has made a significant impact on career development and cultural innovation.

Through this program:

• Creative professionals have learned new skills, including cutting-edge digital and artistic techniques.

• They have connected with international networks, opening doors to new opportunities.

• The program has strengthened Dubai’s creative economy, making it more resilient to global challenges.

Education and Skill Development

Education and upskilling have been a core focus of the partnership. By offering online courses, tutorials, and professional guidance, the program ensures that creative professionals are prepared for the evolving job market.

Topics covered include:

• Digital and artistic skills

• Business and entrepreneurship knowledge

• Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence

• Professional networking and career development

By combining creativity with technology, the program prepares participants to stand out in the global market and contribute meaningfully to Dubai’s cultural scene.

The partnership between Dubai Culture and LinkedIn represents a new model for creative development. It highlights the importance of government support, international collaboration, and lifelong learning in building a thriving creative community.

By 2025, the program aims to support 10,000 creative practitioners, giving them access to knowledge, skills, and job opportunities. This initiative is set to solidify Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for creativity, innovation, and culture, attracting talent from around the world and inspiring future generations.

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa’s vision ensures that Dubai’s creative community is not only surviving but thriving, equipped to turn ideas into achievements and inspire change worldwide.

The partnership between Dubai Culture and LinkedIn is more than just a training program; it is a commitment to the future of creativity in Dubai. By connecting talent with knowledge and opportunity, the initiative is helping dreamers, innovators, and changemakers achieve their full potential.

Through resilience, learning, and collaboration, Dubai is setting an example for the world on how culture, art, and creativity can be nurtured to drive economic growth and social progress.

With this ongoing support, Dubai’s creative community is ready to face the challenges of the future, innovate, and inspire not only the UAE but also the global creative industry.