Dubai is taking a direct step to push local music beyond its borders.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has signed a new partnership with Spotify, aimed at helping Dubai-based artists reach global audiences and build sustainable music careers. The agreement marks the first time a government cultural body in the emirate has formally partnered with a global music streaming platform.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, underscoring the strategic importance of the move.
A public–private model focused on artists
Through the partnership, Dubai Culture and Spotify will work together to support Emirati and UAE-based musicians at different stages of their careers. The focus is practical. Career development. Global visibility. Long-term growth.
Rather than one-off promotions, the collaboration sets out to create ongoing opportunities. Both sides will share industry insights, align on international best practices, and co-develop initiatives that reflect how the global music business actually works today.
Tools, training, and audience insight
At the core of the agreement is direct support for artists.
Dubai Culture and Spotify will roll out programmes that help musicians understand their audiences, use data more effectively, and sharpen their creative and commercial decisions. In parallel, the partnership will offer training, mentorship, and development sessions designed to help artists compete on an international level.
The aim is simple. Help talent turn creativity into a viable career, not just a short burst of attention.
Putting Dubai’s music scene on display
The partnership will also include music-led projects that spotlight Dubai’s diverse creative community. These initiatives will showcase local sounds, encourage cultural exchange, and support experimentation across genres.
In doing so, the collaboration supports Dubai’s broader ambition to position itself as a global hub for culture and creativity, with music as a key pillar of that ecosystem.
Building on existing foundations
Dubai Culture already runs a range of programmes for creatives, including grants, residencies, and learning initiatives. This partnership adds a global distribution and discovery layer to those efforts.
Spotify’s existing regional programmes, such as RADAR Arabia and playlists like Fresh Finds Arabia, align closely with this approach. They give emerging artists a route to listeners well beyond the region.
Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, said the agreement reflects the authority’s long-term commitment to talent development, noting that consistent support is essential for artists to grow.
Spotify’s Senior Vice President of Markets and Subscriptions, Gustav Gyllenhammar, said the partnership would help strengthen Dubai’s music ecosystem while connecting local artists with listeners worldwide.
Taken together, the collaboration signals a clear shift. Dubai is no longer just hosting global culture. It is exporting its own.
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Photo: Gulf News
