Ministry of Culture launches ‘UAE Traditional Crafts Award - Make it in the Emirates'

Abu Dhabi, March 25, 2026 - The Ministry of Culture launched the ‘UAE Traditional Crafts Award – Make it in the Emirates’, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. It aims to promote Emirati crafts and enhance its presence as one of the most prominent components of national identity, as well as a key contributor to strengthening the national cultural and creative industries.

The award is a part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to safeguard intangible heritage and reimagine it within contemporary contexts, creating sustainable economic value. It further reflects the wider comprehensive vision to transform traditional crafts from isolated heritage practices into a vibrant, productive sector capable of competing both locally and globally.

H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, said: “The ‘UAE Traditional Crafts Award – Make it in the Emirates’ marks a practical step in the development of the Emirati crafts from a cultural legacy into a sustainable productive sector that can further strengthen the UAE’s cultural economy. These crafts are an integral part of national identity and reflect the values of the UAE’s society and its roots. We aim to reinforce this by supporting and empowering artisans to further develop their products and access wider markets.”

His Excellency further stated: “The award also seeks to open new avenues for partnerships with the private sector and encourage the adoption of innovative models that integrate Emirati crafts into modern industries, preserving their authenticity while strengthening their competitiveness locally and globally.”

The award is designed to transform the Emirati crafts ecosystem into a sustainable, productive sector, while empowering Emirati artists both economically and professionally by providing various development opportunities. It also aims to drive private sector investments in this field through innovative business models that integrate traditional crafts into high-quality products, ensuring added cultural value. It will further help promote the transmission of traditional handicraft knowledge to future generations, ensuring the continuity and evolution of this unique cultural asset in line with contemporary demands.

The award is segregated into two categories. The first category honours individuals or artisans who demonstrate excellence in practising Emirati crafts, while contributing to their preservation, development and transmission to future generations through training initiatives as well as active participation in events and exhibitions.

The second category is designed for the private sector – targeting companies, factories and studios that have successfully integrated Emirati crafts into their products, presenting innovative models that reflect national identity while driving tangible economic impact.

Overall, the award is based on a specific set of criteria that balances authenticity, innovation, product quality, craftsmanship, as well as adherence to Emirati heritage elements. It further analyses sustainability and productivity, capacity for development and growth, their economic impact and role in strengthening the crafts ecosystem as well as knowledge transfer. Aligning with this, the submissions will be evaluated by a specialised committee comprising heritage and creative industry experts, ensuring the highest levels of transparency in determining winners.

Applications for the award will remain open until April 1, 2026, and the winners will be announced during the event in May.

The Ministry of Culture invites all Emirati artisans, entrepreneurs, companies and relevant organisations to take part in this initiative and benefit from the opportunities it offers. This is vital to enhancing the visibility of Emirati crafts and building a sustainable cultural economy that reflects authentic national identity and the spirit of innovation.

Notably, the 4^th edition of the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative, held last year, witnessed the launch of the first-ever heritage pavilion dedicated to Emirati artisans, organised by the Ministry of Culture. It served as a pioneering platform for celebrating authentic Emirati heritage and showcasing its economic potential. Spanning 1,000 square metres, the pavilion featured over 200 artisans from across the UAE, alongside entrepreneurs, industrial experts and technology innovators. It also featured live demonstrations of over 40 traditional crafts, held across 10 main zones, as well as a comprehensive program of artistic performances and capacity-building workshops delivered in collaboration with local partners.