Dubai's Sikka Art & Design Festival Features 450 Workshops and Talks
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is hosting over 450 workshops and talks at the 13th Sikka Art & Design Festival, held at Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture. The festival, running until February 9, aims to nurture creative talent and strengthen Dubai’s cultural and creative industries as part of the ‘Dubai Quality of Life Strategy’.
The festival brings together experts, artists, and designers to lead sessions in arts, design, architecture, visual storytelling, and traditional crafts. The Al Shindagha Museum, the largest heritage museum in the UAE, is transformed into a creative hub where visitors can participate in hands-on workshops and gain insights from leading professionals.
Diverse Creative Workshops
Among the standout sessions, ‘Emerging City’ offers a Gypsum Art workshop, while the ‘Traditional Jewellery House’ teaches Jewellery Making: Marriyah (Necklace). The ‘People and Faith House’ hosts Henna Stencil and Prayer Bead Crafting classes, and the ‘Traditional Crafts House’ showcases Spindle, a session on hand-weaving with traditional tools.
Modern and digital art techniques take center stage at ‘House 355 – Masterpieces’, featuring Graffiti Art: Express Yourself with Spray Paint, while ‘House 341 – Realiity House’ explores Doodles & AI and Glitch Art, integrating artificial intelligence with artistic expression. At House 314, experts from Sxill Lab lead Handmade Tile Making and Cheese Board Design workshops, while House 15 features Hand Printing on Bags and Riso Printing sessions led by Tashkeel.
Music, Writing, and Engaging Talks
Music and creative expression are also a major focus. At House 196 – Urban House, singer Shilpa Ananth presents ‘Unlocking Authenticity: The Psychology of Songwriting’, guiding participants through the emotional and experiential aspects of composing music. In the Merin pavilion, the ‘Letters to the City: Writing Public Spaces’ session encourages festivalgoers to write reflective messages about places in Dubai that hold personal meaning.
The Sikka Speaks series features discussions led by industry experts, including ‘Creative Minds: Art Therapy for Young Explorers’, exploring art therapy techniques for children, and ‘Immersive Magic: Where Art, Music, and Technology Transform Experiences’, featuring renowned artists and innovators. A special session titled ‘Decoding Humour: The Art of Multicultural Comedy in Dubai’ delves into Dubai’s evolving stand-up comedy scene, while other discussions explore urban nostalgia in Satwa, global opportunities for Dubai-based artists, and artistic interventions in public spaces.
Organized in partnership with Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, and the Emirates Council for Rural Development, the Sikka Art & Design Festival reaffirms Dubai’s position as a thriving hub for arts and culture.
