ADMAF seeks to nurture the arts, education, culture and creativity for the benefit of society and the advancement of Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision. Established in 1996, ADMAF is an independent, non-profitmaking organisation which delivers initiatives for audiences of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities through annual educational and community programmes, special projects and the Abu Dhabi Festival, often in partnership with national and international institutions. ADMAF invests in the visual arts sector in a number of ways. It contributes to the professional development of artists through The Nationals’ Gallery, which seeks to enhance and elevate the UAE art scene through publications, consultations, discussions, grants, commissions and exhibitions as well as an online directory of artists’ profiles. In schools and universities, initiatives such as The Gulf Capital– Abu Dhabi Festival Visual Arts Award, The Christo & Jeanne-Claude Award as well as workshops and lectures with national and international artists inspire and inform the next generation. In celebration of International Museum Day, ADMAF stages events that reference the rich history of the United Arab Emirates, Middle East and North Africa. ADMAF also tackles social issues through the visual arts. ‘Silent Voices’ is an annual exhibition by the human trafficking survivors of Ewa’a Shelters for Women & Children. Emirati artist-led workshops in orphanages across the UAE build children’s cultural identity as well as creativity and soft skills. Finally, the ADMAF Art Collection seeks to present the creativity of the UAE through contemporary Emirati artworks. Through the visual arts, ADMAF is empowering a nation and securing a brighter future for its communities and its artists.
