Dubai Culture to manage and operate upcoming Etihad Museum near historic Union House

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate's dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, announced today that it will manage and operate Etihad Museum, recently unveiled by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The Authority will manage the permanent and temporary exhibitions, education programmes and operations following the official inauguration ceremony by the end of 2016.

Etihad Museum is a dynamic 21^st century museum focusing on inspiring Emiratis and international visitors with the story of the founding of the United Arab Emirates. The landmark site is located next to ‘Dar Al Etihad’- the historic site where the UAE declaration was first signed in 1971 - under the iconic flag pole on Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Road.

His Excellency Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais, Minister of Health & Prevention in the UAE and Chairman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “Etihad Museum celebrates the dedication and patriotism of our nation’s founders and invites individuals from all walks of life to follow their example in nation building. The museum will focus upon the political history and personal stories at a major event in the nation’s founding – that of the unification of the Emirates in 1971”.

His Excellency Al Owais added: “Our mandate at Dubai Culture is to enrich the cultural and artistic scene of Dubai and to preserve Emirati heritage in a unique and innovative way, through the creation, operations and management of museums, in partnership with relevant official UAE stakeholders - ultimately contributing towards achieving the goals of the Dubai Plan 2021, which aims to establish Dubai as a home for empowered and creative people who proudly celebrate their cultural identities.”

Through a unique visitor journey, Etihad Museum will present exhibitions and educational programmes that explore the chronology of events surrounding the signing of the agreement that culminated the formation of the Union – using photos, films and documents from 1968 through to 1974 to showcase the crucial first moments of the nation's history. The museum will also offer a series of educational initiatives and advanced technology and applications designed to elevate and inspire visitors, including school programmes, lectures, workshops, presentations of documentary films and photographs of the UAE’s ruling families.

Etihad Museum is part of a collaborative agreement formed from a Memorandum of Understanding with its partners, whereby Dubai Culture focuses on reviewing the content of the museum, developing the corporate brand and leading the crowdsourcing campaign.  The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) undertook the design, development and construction of the project.  

According to the MoU, RTA caters to designing and constructing the Etihad Museum project next to the Union House that saw the signing of the constituent document of the UAE federation back in 1971. It will also undertake the refurbishment of Al Diyafa Palace and the Union House, construction of a flagpole rising 123 meters and a car park with a capacity to accommodate 100 cars, in addition to roof-top parking space with the capacity of 100 cars. It will also source exhibits according to the chronicle endorsed by the Advisory Committee, and lend support to the Culture & Arts Authority concerning branding the Museum.

The Etihad Museum is designed in the shape of a manuscript with seven columns that simulate the pen used to sign the declaration of the union in 1971. The museum includes permanent and temporary halls, a theatre, educational and recreational areas and administration offices. In addition, the corporate identity of the museum which was inspired from the colours of the national flag, federal identity and the seven emirates.

Etihad Museum vision is to reaffirm the historical value of the place that saw the signing of the document declaring the UAE federation. It aims to transform it into a museum acting as a cultural radiation hub appealing to citizens, residents and tourists who are keen to acquaint themselves with the stages & challenges of establishing the federation along with the achievements made ever since. It would also consolidate the concept & value of the Union in the hearts of citizens and future generations.