The Ministry of Culture has launched the 'UAE Crafts Award - Made in the UAE' in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. This significant step aims to support Emirati crafts and enhance their presence as a key component of national identity and a fundamental pillar within the nation's cultural and creative industries. The award is part of the Ministry's efforts to safeguard intangible cultural heritage and repurpose it in contemporary contexts that contribute to achieving sustainable economic value. It also reflects a comprehensive vision that seeks to transform traditional crafts from a heritage practice into a viable production sector capable of competing locally and globally. As stated by Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Mubarak Al-Nahey: 'The UAE Crafts Award - Made in the UAE' is a practical step to transform Emirati crafts from a cultural heritage into a sustainable production sector that contributes to enhancing the country's cultural economy, especially as these crafts are an integral part of the national identity and a conduit that reflects the values of Emirati society and its connection to its roots, which we seek to enhance by supporting craftsmen and enabling them to develop their products and bring them to broader markets.' He added: 'The award also aims to open new horizons for partnership with the private sector and encourage the adoption of innovative models that integrate Emirati crafts into modern industries, while preserving their authenticity and enhancing their competitiveness locally and globally.' The award also seeks to solidify the status of Emirati crafts as a sustainable production sector, providing economic and professional support to Emirati craftsmen by offering opportunities for development and expansion, in addition to encouraging the private sector to invest in this field and adopt innovative business models that rely on employing crafts in high-quality products with added cultural value. The award also aims to enhance the transmission of craft knowledge to new generations, ensuring the continuity and evolution of this cultural heritage in line with the requirements of the era. The award is divided into two main tracks. The first is for individual craftsmen, honoring creators who have demonstrated excellence in practicing Emirati crafts and have contributed to preserving, developing, and passing them on to future generations through training initiatives or active participation in events and exhibitions. The second track focuses on the private sector and targets companies, factories, and studios that have successfully integrated Emirati crafts into their products and presented innovative models that reflect national identity and contribute to a tangible economic impact. The award is based on a set of criteria that balance authenticity and innovation, including product quality and craftsmanship, adherence to Emirati heritage elements, as well as sustainability and productivity, the capacity for development and expansion, alongside the economic impact and the role of participants in enhancing the presence of crafts and transferring related knowledge. Entries will be evaluated by a specialized committee comprising a select group of experts in the fields of heritage and creative industries, ensuring the highest levels of transparency and impartiality in selecting the winners. Submission of entries for the award will continue until April 1 of next year, with the winners to be announced during the forum in May. The Ministry of Culture has called on all Emirati craftsmen, entrepreneurs, companies, and relevant institutions to participate in the award and benefit from the opportunities it offers to contribute to supporting Emirati crafts and enhancing their presence, and to participate in building a sustainable cultural economy that reflects the authenticity of national identity and the spirit of innovation. The fourth edition of the 'Made in the UAE' initiative, held last year, witnessed the launch of the first heritage pavilion dedicated to Emirati craftsmen, organized by the Ministry of Culture. It formed a leading platform that celebrates authentic craft heritage and highlights its economic potential, hosting more than 200 craftsmen from various emirates of the country, alongside entrepreneurs, industrial experts, and innovators in the field of technology. The pavilion also featured live demonstrations of more than 40 traditional crafts, distributed across 10 main regions, in addition to a comprehensive program that included artistic performances and empowerment workshops implemented in cooperation with local partners.
