ICOM Dubai 2025 Launches Participation Grant Programme to Empower Voices from the MEASA Region
The excitement surrounding the upcoming ICOM Dubai 2025 is palpable, especially with the recent announcement from the Organising Committee in partnership with ICOM UAE. They’ve unveiled a dedicated Grant Programme for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, signaling a strong commitment to inclusion and accessibility in the cultural sector. This initiative aims to amplify diverse voices just ahead of the 27th ICOM General Conference, set to unfold this November in vibrant Dubai.
A Closer Look at the Grant Programme
To ensure a broad representation from the MEASA region, the ICOM Dubai 2025 Grant Programme will award a total of 140 grants. This is a significant step toward fostering participation among museum professionals, students, and cultural practitioners. The grants are divided into two categories:
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In-Person Participation Grants: 70 grants will facilitate travel, accommodation, visa fees, and complete admission to the conference, enabling participants to engage face-to-face.
- Digital Access Grants: The remaining 70 grants will provide complimentary digital access, ensuring that those who cannot attend in person can still partake in the discussions and activities.
This inclusive programme is particularly focused on applicants who align with the key pillars of the conference: intangible heritage, youth empowerment, and the integration of new technologies.
Application Details and Timeline
For those eager to apply, the process is straightforward. Applications can be submitted through the official ICOM Dubai 2025 website. It’s important to note that the deadline is set for May 31, 2025. This window provides ample time for prospective participants to prepare and submit their applications, ensuring they secure their chance to be part of this landmark event.
Voices of Inclusion: Insights from Leadership
Her Excellency Hala Badri, the Director General of Dubai Culture and the Chairperson of the ICOM Dubai 2025 Organising Committee, has emphasized the overarching theme of inclusion and opportunity in this initiative. “At ICOM Dubai 2025, we are nurturing a legacy built on inclusion, opportunity, and shared purpose,” she explained. This sentiment reflects a commitment to incorporating a variety of perspectives in shaping modern museum practices. By welcoming participants from across the MEASA region, the conference aims to enrich the global dialogue surrounding cultural narratives.
Understanding ICOM and its Mission
Founded in 1946, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) is recognized as the leading global organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and development of museums and the museum profession. With more than 57,000 members across 129 countries, ICOM serves as a crucial platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among museum professionals worldwide.
In 2021, ICOM-UAE, together with various local stakeholders—including Dubai Culture, Dubai Municipality, and the Department of Economy and Tourism—successfully bid to host the 2025 General Conference in Dubai. The UAE was chosen as the host city due to its formidable global presence and commitment to cultural and heritage preservation, alongside its growing creative economy.
The Importance of Regional Representation
The launch of the Grant Programme is more than a call for applications; it’s a pioneering move toward recognizing the significance of diverse voices in the museum sector. Museums serve as cultural gatekeepers, and their narratives should reflect the plurality of experiences and histories present in the MEASA region. By offering these grants, ICOM Dubai 2025 is actively working to dismantle barriers and elevate those perspectives that have often remained unheard.
How to Get Involved
If you are a museum professional, student, or cultural practitioner hailing from or contributing to the MEASA region, consider seizing this opportunity. Visit the official ICOM Dubai 2025 grants page for more details and to submit your application before the May 31, 2025, deadline. This is a significant chance to be part of a transformative event that seeks to redefine the future of museums and cultural engagement in an increasingly interconnected world.
As preparations for ICOM Dubai 2025 progress, the anticipation builds around what promises to be an enlightening and dynamic conference. By backfilling existing gaps in representation through initiatives like the Grant Programme, the conference is poised to not only shape the future of the museum sector but also empower the diverse voices from the MEASA region to tell their stories to the world.
