Reported: 5 November 2026
5 November 2026
Fellows return to Dubai for online masterclasses and a spring residency
Dubai Culture says the inaugural cohort of its Global Fellowship has completed its first learning experience during the 15th World Cities Culture Summit in Tokyo, Japan from 28 to 30 October 2026.
The programme, co-founded by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), and the World Cities Culture Forum, brought together 20 cultural professionals from Dubai and other cities in the Forum network.
Dubai Culture states that fellows used summit sessions to exchange knowledge, strengthen leadership capabilities and explore approaches to cultural policymaking with international experts. A Dubai Culture delegation attended, including Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture; Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector; and other senior communications and marketing representatives.
Dubai Culture describes the Tokyo summit as the first major milestone for the Global Fellowship, which it says is the first programme of its kind globally. It reports that fellows participated in sessions including an “Early Reflections” discussion and “Courageous Leadership,” alongside peer sessions sharing city projects and workshops that examined practical challenges around culture policy and the creative industries.
According to the announcement, fellows will continue their development from November 2026 to March 2027 through online masterclasses covering topics such as leadership, cultural policymaking, public-private partnerships and integrating culture into urban planning. The programme will then conclude with a five-day residency in Dubai in spring 2027, where participants will engage with cultural institutions and refine strategic cultural projects.
Source: Dubai Media Office.