Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, led a delegation to the Ars Electronica Center in Linz, Austria, as part of an official visit that ran until 13 September 2026.
The trip aimed to strengthen ties with international cultural and creative institutions and to look for new ways to share knowledge across culture, digital arts and emerging artistic practices.
Delegation engages with Ars Electronica leadership
During the visit, the team was welcomed by Andreas Bauer, Managing Director of the centre, who gave a detailed overview of the facility, its exhibitions and interactive experiences. He explained how the centre blends art, technology and science to offer fresh perspectives on rapid global changes.
Members of the delegation included Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector; Maitha Ali Al Blooshi, Director of the Emerging Arts Department; Ahlam Al Bannai, Director of Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children and Acting Director of the Visual Arts Department; and Sara Al Pachachi, Senior Project Manager in Corporate Communication and Marketing. Each official noted the value of direct dialogue with the centre’s experts.
Immersive technologies showcase new storytelling possibilities
The tour highlighted a range of projects that span artificial intelligence, robotics, neuroscience, biotechnology, space, climate and digital arts. The delegation saw how emerging technologies are used to present complex scientific and artistic subjects through interactive experiences.
A highlight was Deep Space 8K, an immersive digital environment that uses ultra‑high‑resolution projection and interactive tracking to display artworks, scientific visualisations and cultural content on a large scale. The experience underscored how such tools can open new approaches to storytelling and audience engagement.
Broader aims for Dubai’s cultural sector
Participating in the Ars Electronica Festival, which runs in Linz until 13 September, reflects Dubai Culture’s focus on building international partnerships that support the emirate’s cultural and creative development. The delegation’s observations will feed into Dubai’s ongoing efforts to position the city as a global cultural reference rooted in Emirati heritage.
The centre, opened in 1996 and celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, also serves as a year‑round hub for research, experimentation and education. The delegation’s visit to the Design Center Linz, a leading venue for international events, further emphasized the importance of cross‑border collaboration in the creative economy.