The term ‘creative and cultural industries’ has gained momentum since it was first coined back in the 1990s in a bid to measure the economic and social impact and spread deeper understanding about the multiple sectors of arts, culture and creativity that make up to a country’s creative economy. This session addressed what does it really mean? How have countries across the world adopted it? And why does it matter for the UAE? Followed by a lively Q&A session.

The session was led by Lisa Ball-Lechgar, Deputy Director of Tashkeel. Lisa has worked for 20 years in the MENA cultural sector. Previously, she held senior positions at Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation/Abu Dhabi Festival; Clientele Bahrain; Mixed Media Publishing (Canvas); Arts & Business UK; and Comité Européen pour le Rapprochement de l'Economie et de la Culture. She has consulted for organisations including Ashkal Alwan, L’Association Libanaise pour le development du Mecent Culturel and the European Cultural Foundation. Lisa has edited/co-edited several books on contemporary art from the UAE and wider region. A Fellow of Glasgow University, she has lectured on contemporary art and cultural management in Europe, USA, MENA and South Africa and moderated sessions for the likes of Abu Dhabi Festival, Art Dubai and the World Bank.

About Tashkeel

Established in Dubai in 2008 by Lateefa bint Maktoum, Tashkeel provides a nurturing environment for art and design practice rooted in the UAE. With studios, workspaces and galleries located in both Nad Al Sheba and Al Fahidi, its annual programme includes professional development programmes, residencies, workshops, talks, lectures and exhibitions to enable creative practice, experimentation and dialogue among practitioners and the community. Tashkeel’s specialist design initiatives include the Tanween design programme, Make Works UAE, the Tanween Collection, Designer-in-Residence programme and the Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East Emergent Designer Prize.