From left to right, Gustav Gyllenhammar, Senior Vice President of Markets and Subscriptions, Spotify; Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture); and Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Spotify to strengthen collaboration across the music and creative sectors.
The agreement signed in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), aims to enhance cooperation between the two entities by expanding opportunities for emerging musicians and local talent, supporting their growth, and strengthening their visibility on global platforms.
The MoU also aims to reflect a shared commitment to nurturing creative expression, empowering talent, and advancing the cultural and creative industries as a key pillar of the creative economy.
Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said, “At Dubai Culture, talent development is a core pillar of our work across the cultural and creative industries. In the music sector, this translates into sustained support that enables musicians to develop, produce, and continue their practice over time.
HE Badri added, “The agreement with Spotify is part of our broader efforts to support artists and creatives at all career stages and to strengthen the professional foundations of the music sector in Dubai. Through this approach, we are enabling musicians to build viable, long-term careers within a structured and supportive cultural environment.”
The MoU establishes a first-of-its-kind partnership between Dubai Culture and Spotify, creating a new model for public–private collaboration in the emirate.
The agreement enables the exchange of insights to support the development and delivery of joint cultural initiatives aligned with international best practices and global music trends.
It also provides for the co-delivery of programmes that expand access for Emirati and UAE-based artists to resources and platforms that support professional growth, enhance competitiveness within the music sector, and deepen audience understanding through specialised data and analytics.
In addition, the partnership includes practical support designed to help creatives sustain and progress their careers.
Gustav Gyllenhammar, Senior Vice President of Markets and Subscriptions, Spotify, said, “Dubai is a city shaped by creativity, diversity, and early adoption, where culture and innovation naturally intersect. As a global hub connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe, it’s playing an increasingly important role in the region’s music economy.
Gyllenhammar added, “At Spotify, we’re committed to empowering creators worldwide, and through our collaboration with Dubai Culture, we’re helping build a stronger local music ecosystem, supporting discovery and helping music coming out of Dubai reach listeners around the world.”
As part of the MoU, both entities will launch joint programmes and collaborate on the development and sustainability of long-term creative initiatives that encourage artistic expression, cultural exchange, and innovation within the local music sector.
The partnership will also include the curation and delivery of a series of music-led projects that spotlight Dubai’s creative community. These efforts support the emirate’s vision to consolidate its position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.
The MoU intends to reflect Dubai Culture’s ongoing efforts, through its programmes and initiatives including grants, artist residencies, and learning and talent development opportunities, to invest in the next generation of creatives and reinforce Dubai’s position as a leading creative destination defined by cultural diversity, strong infrastructure, and a flexible legislative framework.
It also underscores the Authority’s commitment to innovation and to advancing the cultural and creative sectors by fostering a supportive ecosystem that enables musicians to build sustainable, long-term career pathways.
This approach aligns with Spotify’s initiatives such as the RADAR Arabia programme, which supports emerging musical talent, and the Fresh Finds Arabia playlist, which spotlights rising voices and connects them with new audiences.
