Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Culture, the emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, has announced its partnership with Christie’s Auction House to organise an ambitious joint initiative, Dubai Culture Charity Auction. The announcement was made during a dedicated press conference, and the main auction is set to take place in October 2017.

Dubai Culture Charity Auction is inspired by the UAE’s #Year of Giving 2017 and will feature a new collection of works by local and regional artists, including Abdul Qadir Al Rais. The initiative is being managed collaboratively by Dubai Culture and Christie’s, and all proceeds raised will be donated to Syrian refugees in alignment with the humanitarian legacy of the UAE and the philanthropic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director-General at Dubai Culture, said, "Dubai Culture is committed to supporting the UAE #Year of Giving 2017 and our joint venture with Christie’s will offer Dubai Culture Charity Auction attendees a real opportunity to give back to an important cause, while also inspiring a young generation of artists to commit their talent to the greater good wherever possible. In the collaborative spirit of the Year of Giving, this initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when government authorities and prestigious international organisations come together to contribute their resources to solving the world’s greatest humanitarian challenges."

The joint initiative also sees Dubai Culture fulfilling its important mandate of nurturing and celebrating local talent. Celebrated painter Abdul Qadir Al Rais will be joined by other esteemed local and regional artists at the auction, where a new collection of artworks will serve as an illustration of the UAE’s flourishing home-grown talent and also bring acclaimed artists to the emirate. The collaboration strengthens Dubai’s international ties, while also furthering Dubai Culture’s ambition of making this city a global creative hub that attracts artistic minds from all over the world