Yalla breaks down what you need to learn about Abu Dhabi’s hub for art and culture, THE CULTURAL FOUNDATION, and its most exciting activities this March.
THE CULTURAL FOUNDATION, founded in 1981, was a hub of creativity and launched the careers of many an Emirati artist. The centre for art and learning was closed in 2009 as part of extensive renovations to the Al Hosn site. The Foundation now hosts the Abu Dhabi Children’s Library, a 900-seat theatre, and workshops for calligraphy, art, research, exhibitions, and cultural learning and is expected to again become a hub for art and culture, adding to the city’s other cultural offerings such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Manarat Al Saadiyat.
ABU DHABI CHILDREN’S LIBRARY
The Abu Dhabi Children’s Library is a place to connect and exchange, learn, and create. Their education experts strive to create a unique and innovative environment that fosters creativity, literacy, and lifelong learning. The Library has a rich print and digital collection in a number of languages.
The Abu Dhabi Children’s Library runs over 150 programmes per month, including story times, writing workshops, robotics, puppet theatre! Open 7 days a week. For more information, please visit Culturalfoundation.ae/en/childrenslibrary
Here are Yalla’s top picks:
• The Montessori Club: weekly activities based on Montessori principles.
• In Pictures & in Words: a multidisciplinary exploration of what authors and writers do.
• Arabic Puppet Theatre: a workshop where children make puppets and script a puppet show.
• Laser Cutting and Mad Scientist workshops
• March is Reading Month so there will be special activities and events throughout the month.
CHILDREN’S ART CENTRE
The Children’s Art Centre located in the Cultural Foundation welcomes young artists (aged 5 – 14) to participate in courses in arts, crafts, and music on a monthly basis. Workshops include painting, drawing, paper arts, ceramics, piano and more. Open 7 days a week. For more information, please visit Culturalfoundation.ae or call 02 657 6367
AL MARSAM AL HOR
Also located in the Cultural Foundation, Al Marsam Al Hor is the oldest arts education space in Abu Dhabi. It offers a year round programme of art classes for teens (ages 15+) and adults of all skill levels. Courses include drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery making, and more. Open Sat – Thu (closed Fri). For more information, please visit Culturalfoundation.ae or call 02 697 682
TO VIEW:
THE RED PALACE runs from 26 Jan – 28 Mar 2020 and is a major solo exhibition by celebrated Saudi Arabian artist Sultan Bin Fahad. Following well-received presentations in Riyadh and Jeddah, this multidimensional and immersive exhibition will be on view at the Cultural Foundation.
It presents a series of investigations of Saudi Arabia’s history through multimedia interventions including video, sculpture, photograms and installations. Named after the Red Palace in Riyadh, where the exhibition was first presented, the piece is inspired by the rise and fall of this iconic site that existed at the height of Saudi Arabia’s modernisation.
TO MAKE:
Learn the process of painting realistic STILL LIFE PAINTING in acrylics with pioneer Emirati Artist Ibrahim Al Awadhi. Offered on 17 March
Learn the ART OF RESIN & ACRYLIC POURING with Nasim Al Majed who will cover different variations of resin art applications using neon colours. Offered on 3 & 31 March
Learn PORTRAIT PAINTING like a pro with artist Saggaf Al Hashmi. Offered on 10 Mar
Learn the techniques of CLAY ART & DESIGN with Hessa Al Ajmani. Offered on 24 Mar
Entry to House of Artisans, Cultural Foundation, and landscape is complimentary, excluding Qasr Al Hosn, special workshops and events. Ticket pricing, ticketed workshops, and events details are available at Qasralhosn.ae or Culturalfoundation.ae/calendar
