5 great design studios and spaces in Dubai for artists to use
Find your creative space with these design studios…
If you're an artist, Dubai is the place to be. Here is where you'll find your footing in the world of art, and if you're looking for spaces and places to practice your skills, these design studios in Dubai are open for artists to use. Take your pick. The Makers Society
If you're inro woodworking, The Makers Society is the place to be. This spot offers not just beginners classes, but also courses for you to get the low down on woodworking. You'll be provided all the materials for the one hour class at Dhs150. Class takes place on Saturdays at 3pm. But if you're a professional looking to practice your craft, they also offer longer-term courses with a studio and all the heavy machinery equipment you might need.
The Makers Society, Ras Al Khor, Tel: (0) 4 329 5478, @dubaimakerssociety thejamjar
Nestled in the heart of Dubai's art scene on Alserkal Avenue, thejamjar is a community arts centre striving to grow Dubai's art scene. It holds weekly art workshops for adults, teens and children. If you want an artwork space, thejamjar has you covered with its 'do-it-yourself' painting studio. thejamjar offers diverse art programs, educational initiatives and community projects, building and strengthening the Dubai art world. It's open for all levels of artists.
Warehouse 74, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Sat to Thurs 10am to 7pm, Fri 1pm to 8pm, Tel: (0)4 341 7303, thejamjardubai.com Tashkeel
Consider this an art incubator of sorts – Tashkeel is a commercial consultancy with studio incubators for visual art and design, established in 2008 by Her Highness Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Tashkeel's facilities enable production, experimentation and discourse. Its annual programme of training, residencies, workshops, talks, exhibitions, international collaborations and publications basically offers a one-stop-shop for the artist's complete process, from conception to finding an audience. Learn more about their services and initiatives here.
Tashkeel, across various locations, Tel: (0) 4 336 3313, @tashkeelstudio Jameel Arts Centre
While perfect for the public to get a dose of art and culture in the city (for free), Jameel Arts Centre also nurtures growing local talent with several initiatives, including the Artists Garden and Art Jameel Commissions. Alongside the seven courtyards is an Artist's Garden, imagined as a space for artists to create, cultivate and experiment, via an annual commissions programme. Artists are invited to use the space in a way that compliments their practice. Learn more here.
Jameel Arts Centre, Al Jaddaf, Sat to Thurs, 10am to 8pm, Fri, 12pm to 8pm, Tel: (0) 4 873 9800, @jameelartscentre Studio Thirteen
Studio Thirteen offers residency programs to empower underrepresented artists, giving them not only a fully-funded design space to work with, but also the recognition they deserve. Here, artists get a chance to spend time in the company of like-minded individuals, draw inspiration and learn from each other and be part of a community. It's essentially an artist collective and creative space to fuel those who need it. The shared studio space brings together six growing local talents
Studio Thirteen, Al Quoz, @studiothirteen_dxb
Images: Unsplash
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Al Tayer further emphasised that expanding the use of big data and artificial intelligence will be key to better understanding and responding to community needs. Panel Discussion During the workshop Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: 'Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the city's economic and tourism success has long been underpinned by world-class infrastructure, with the RTA ensuring seamless mobility across the city and supporting its position as the world's best place to visit, live, and work in.' He added: 'Our participation in the RTA infrastructure workshop reaffirms our commitment to enhancing the visitor and resident experience. It provided a valuable platform to align on future priorities and ensure that our collective efforts continue to support the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. Sheikh Hamdan poses for a photo as he attends workshop organised by the Roads and Transport Authority. 'We thank the RTA for its leadership and look forward to continued collaboration to deliver the connectivity, innovation and excellence that define Dubai's global appeal'. Proactive Coordination Marwan Bin Ghalita, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, emphasised the need for strategic coordination between government entities and developers to support Dubai's sustainable growth while maintaining infrastructure efficiency. 'Dubai Municipality is the key authority in determining land use and selecting areas that align with the city's vision and future requirements. In recent years, however, there has been a significant shift, with developers taking a more prominent role in shaping the urban landscape and accelerating growth at an unprecedented pace,' he said. 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Smart Solutions Essa Kazim, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), said: 'We deeply appreciate and value the ongoing efforts of the RTA in developing world-class urban infrastructure in Dubai, living up to the key objectives of the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040. By uniting stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to raise awareness, foster open dialogue, address challenges, and deliver smart, technology-driven solutions, the RTA plays a key role in shaping the future of mobility in Dubai and its expanding communities.' He further added: 'The DIFC remains committed to strengthening its partnership with the RTA, as the Authority continues to improve traffic flow and expand road networks to ensure a seamless and safe mobility experience for all residents and visitors, helping position Dubai as the preferred destination for both work and living.' Amit Kaushal, Group CEO of Dubai Holding, commented: 'As a master developer of landmark communities and iconic destinations across Dubai, this workshop with key stakeholders helps advance strategic national priorities, including Dubai's 2040 Urban Master Plan and Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, ensuring sustainable urban environments for generations to come. 'Our ongoing partnership with the RTA exemplifies our shared commitment to proactively developing future-ready infrastructure that enhances the experience of our citizens, residents and visitors. As Dubai continues its remarkable growth trajectory, we remain dedicated to this strategic collaboration and to delivering innovative solutions that support our leadership's visionary aspiration for Dubai as the world's premier global city." Three Peak Periods Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: 'Dubai's rapid growth calls for transport solutions that match its scale and ambition. At Dubai Airports, seamless surface access is essential to delivering smooth and efficient journeys for millions of travellers. As airports serve as transition points between surface transport—by road or rail—and air travel, integrated solutions built on strong partnerships are vital. 'Our close collaboration with the RTA, particularly in the development of high-capacity public transport and efforts to reduce pressure on key corridors like Airport Road, is not just operationally important—it is fundamental to the city's future. As we move into the next phase of airport expansion, aligning aviation with urban mobility strategies will be critical to maintaining Dubai's global leadership.' Affordable Housing Rashed Al Awadhi, Chief Real Estate Officer at Wasl Asset Management Group, highlighted the importance of developing affordable housing in locations that are closer to where people work, helping to reduce long commutes and ease traffic congestion. 'Dubai offers substantial incentives to ensure suitable housing options for diverse segments of society. Real estate developers, when undertaking any project, carefully assess land prices, construction costs, and the potential return on investment. We aim to integrate new companies into the real estate development sector, embrace cutting-edge technologies, and implement innovative construction standards that lower building costs while reinforcing Dubai's appeal to global investors in the real estate development market.' Balancing Supply and Demand Mudassir Sheikha, CEO of Careem, said that the RTA has played a pivotal role in empowering companies like Careem to operate with high efficiency, thanks to its advanced infrastructure and regulatory support. 'Although transport services may appear straightforward, they are supported by complex technological operations aimed at enhancing efficiency and alleviating congestion, such as proactive booking assignments." He added: 'One of our key achievements is the introduction of 'peak-time pricing' to ensure a balanced supply and demand. We are committed to making transport services more affordable, thereby reducing reliance on private cars. In the delivery sector, we are focused on regulating the growth of bike usage and optimising pick-up and drop-off points, ensuring smooth operations without adversely affecting the city.' Joint Efforts Ahmad Al Matrooshi, CEO of Emaar Properties, said: 'Our participation in the 'Connecting Bridges' workshop reflects our strong commitment to fostering collaboration between government, semi-government, and private sector entities. This integrated approach is key to advancing Dubai's strategic vision and long-term goals. The exchange of ideas and expertise across sectors is essential to achieving excellence and delivering services that meet community needs. Emaar is proud to contribute to these important conversations, which are helping shape a more prosperous future for Dubai.' Six Key Themes The workshop focused on six key themes: reducing trip frequency and duration, expanding access to emerging transport modes, deploying intelligent and proactive road systems, raising public awareness around congestion and expectation management, and encouraging joint planning and development initiatives. The workshop featured interactive panel discussions with the participation of CEOs, international consultants, industry experts, and engineers. These sessions highlighted RTA's ongoing efforts and strategic plans to enhance road and transport infrastructure, with the goal of improving traffic flow and offering diverse, convenient mobility options for residents and visitors alike. Participants also reviewed recently implemented policies, including flexible working hours, remote work arrangements, and dynamic pricing for roads and parking. The workshop served as a platform for public and private sector stakeholders—including developers—to exchange ideas, provide feedback, and explore collaborative projects. These efforts aim to strengthen Dubai's mobility ecosystem, respond to the needs of its growing population, and support the city's continued development.
