Arab Region

Arab Region

DutchCulture is stepping up its collaboration with the Arab region, together with Hivos and their Mideast Creatives programme.

In the 2015–2016 period, DutchCulture is working with the international organization Hivos on a programme to strengthen the creative sector in the Arab region. Within the existing programme Mideast Creatives we are focusing on supporting cultural dialogue and stimulating the presentation of the Dutch cultural and creative sector in the region.

Collaboration with the Arab region is nothing new for DutchCulture. We have been working on a cultural network since 2008, and have realized various cooperative projects, including the successful Mediterranean Crossings programme. Due to a period of instability and unrest in the region, however, collaboration temporarily has decreased in intensity. At present, it is necessary to create new, different forms of collaboration that promote cultural dialogue.

There is a need for creative solutions to pressing social issues. The current situation in the Arab region requires support from the young creative generation. The new collaboration with Hivos addresses this matter.

Disrupt!/ Creative Competitions
An important component of Mideast Creatives is the three-day training sessions in the region based on a specific theme: Disrupt!/. In these sessions, teams consisting of creatives (artists and designers) compete with one another during an ideathon in order to turn creative concepts into concrete business plans. The teams are coached by local and international experts. DutchCulture brings in experts from the Netherlands. In addition, Mideast Creatives offers participants from the Arab region the possibility of participating in a cultural visitors’ programme in the Netherlands.

Want to keep abreast of the latest news?
The next Disrupt!/ ideathons are being held in the autumn of 2015. If you would like to know more about the complete programme in the Arab region and who our (local) partners are, sign up for our newsletter and keep an eye on our website. Plus, you are always welcome to give us a call!