US-UAE Cultural Influencer Exchange Program: Cultural Diplomacy At Work in the Arts

Meridian has completed a week-long delegation trip to the United Arab Emirates, where well known cultural influencers, curators, museum professionals, and artists from around the United States experienced firsthand the flourishing museum and arts infrastructure of the UAE and how it has helped develop a vibrant arts culture and a diverse population of global citizens.

In partnership with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, D.C., Meridian developed a multi-city cultural program in the UAE that provided the American delegation members a better appreciation of the UAE’s commitment to cultural identity while emphasizing the importance of global partnerships and bilateral collaborations. This delegation traveled to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, where they visited the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Art Dubai, Sharjah Museums Authority, the Sharjah Biennial, the Sikka Art Fair, and Etihad Museum in Dubai. Additional stops included visits and meetings with private collections, foundations, tourism attractions, and creative spaces, such as Art Jameel in Dubai and the Dubai Design District, which highlight the emerging private art gallery scene and the diverse creative energy coming out of the UAE today.

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