How creative economies create jobs…and a sense of belonging?

The Gulf’s creative sector has been one of the routes the region has been looking at to diversify its economies away from oil. From video gaming tournaments to universal museums and art districts, the growing prominence of creative industries is promising more jobs and a better residency experience for expats. But what does the road to these goals look like?

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Creative economies provide around 30 million jobs around the world and generate more than $2 trillion in annual global revenue.

With $6 billion to spend on creative industries and culture in the next five years, Abu Dhabi is set to create 16,000 jobs, and open the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum. Last February, the UAE capital has also announced a Creative Visa scheme for individuals in the fields of heritage, performing and visual arts, design and crafts, gaming and e-sports, and media and publishing. The visa is planned to give access to certain facilities and infrastructure, increase employment opportunities and attract more residents.

In Dubai, a 10-year Culture Visa was introduced recently for new and existing residents in intellectual and creative industries, knowledge-related sectors, and in the fields of literature, culture, fine arts, performing arts, heritage, and history.?2.6% of Dubai’s GDP comes from creative industries, and the city has a strategy aimed at growing that to 5% by 2025. The strategy also is set to double the number of creative companies based in Dubai to 15,000 companies and double the number of creator residents by the same time.

With the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia launched an art reform plan that would help diversify its economy and revive its tourism and culture scene after introducing the tourism visa. Towards the end of 2020, the kingdom issued the first license for two music institutes to launch, encouraging applications for similar licenses in music, visual arts, theater, performing arts, fashion and other creative fields. A Black Gold Museum is set to open in Riyadh in 2022, devoted to the history of oil in Saudi.

The kingdom has pledged an array of technology and creative hubs through projects like Qiddiya Entertainment City and NEOM, which will host a hub for broadcasting, TV, media and gaming. On June 7, the second annual Gamers Without Borders tournament kicked off, an e-sport charity tournament created by the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS) and Electronic Sports League (ESL), donating this year’s $10 million prize to fund Covid vaccines distribution.

Doha has launched the Doha Design District last February, a hub for local designers, showrooms, creative services, and affordable working spaces for artists. Part of Qatar’s economic plan is also to diversify its economy and move away from depending on oil. The latest addition to Doha’s cultural scene is Scale 7, which is a business incubator by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and startup hub M7. The incubator is there to support entrepreneurs in creative industries and small businesses in Qatar.

Creating connections

Creative economies aside, art has always been a way for one to connect with their surroundings, especially if the surroundings were not one’s home. Which is why these cultural and creative initiatives add to the daily experience of expats in the Gulf.

Events in the UAE like Dubai Design Week and Art Dubai had a strong comeback after Covid-related suspensions in the region, offering platforms for GCC-based artists and home-grown creators. ?

I spoke with Maciej Frej, Founder of Dubai-based Art in Public Space about their recent public installations called Memories of Jumeirah which took place at a bus stop in Dubai, highlighting Emirati culture and traditions for residents to experience.

Maciej shared some thoughts on how art can create ties between expats and their host country. “The main task was to curate the artworks that could bring childhood memories for both Emiratis and expats/tourists. Some of the works have a very local vibe and mainly relate to Emirati heritage (coffee cups) or more universal. We wanted the sculptures to remind us about the carefree times that everyone had,” he said.

Artists in Saudi Arabia are using the creative infrastructure being built as a tool to bridging the gap and fight misconceptions about Saudi. Presenting initiatives in different languages to spread their creations all over the world in a time when it cannot be easier to go global.

• Several newly announced UAE visas and residency options were introduced to offer more security for expats, retain more talent in the emirates and attract more tourists. Read more here.
• HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum shares her thoughts on Al Qouz Creative Zone. Read more here.
• After the opening of The Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017, what’s the next big thing in the GCC creative economy? Read more here.

Do you think creative economies are the answer for more diversity? Are you aware of cultural events taking place where you live? Share your thoughts in the comments below.