Dubai Culture Launched Inaugural Global Fellowship Cohort
The six-month program brings together 20 mid-career professionals to support future civic leadership in culture.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Middle East
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Dubai Culture and the World Cities Culture Forum have announced the inaugural cohort of their new Global Fellowship program. The initiative aims to nurture future civic leaders for culture by supporting 20 mid-career professionals from around the world.
Why it matters
The program addresses the increasing responsibilities placed on cultural policymakers worldwide. By fostering international mentorship and peer exchange, it aims to develop a new generation of experts capable of managing complex civic cultural projects.
The inaugural cohort includes 20 mid-career professionals, with five fellows originating from Dubai Government entities and 15 from the international network. The fellowship spans six months and concludes with a five-day residency in Dubai in spring 2027.
The players
Dubai Culture
This is the government entity responsible for the growth and development of the cultural and creative sector in Dubai.
World Cities Culture Forum
This is a global network of major cities that share research and intelligence on the role of culture in future city planning.
The details
Fellows will engage in an extensive curriculum featuring international learning and project development alongside peer exchange. The program components include a series of online masterclasses and attendance at a major global summit before finishing with the in-person residency in Dubai.
Timeline
October 28-30, 2026: Fellows attend the 15th World Cities Culture Summit in Tokyo.
November 2026 - March 2027: Fellows participate in online masterclasses.
Spring 2027: The program concludes with a five-day residency in Dubai.
Travel Outlook
This fellowship program acts as a formal legacy initiative stemming from the 13th World Cities Culture Summit held in 2024. It marks a shift toward sustained international collaboration between cities rather than one-off annual gatherings.
This program provides a structured professional development framework for public sector workers in the cultural space. Applicants should monitor future application cycles to participate in the international residency and masterclass series.
The takeaway
This initiative represents a growing trend of global knowledge sharing among municipal cultural departments. Professionals in this sector should watch for how such peer networks shape local policy strategies.
What happens next
The fellowship cohort will officially begin their international engagement by attending the 15th World Cities Culture Summit in Tokyo from October 28 to October 30, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest cultural developments in the Middle East.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Emirates24|7.
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