Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), met with Erandy Vergara, Chair of ISEA International, and Everardo Reyes, Secretary of ISEA International, during the Authority’s official delegation visit to Linz and Vienna, Austria. The meeting focused on preparations for ISEA2026 Dubai and opportunities to build lasting connections between Dubai’s creative community and international practitioners working across art, science and technology.

Her Excellency outlined the rapid developments in electronic and emerging art and the possibilities that new technologies offer artists and cultural institutions. She highlighted Dubai Culture’s efforts to advance the emirate’s digital arts ecosystem through initiatives including the Digital Arts Roadmap and the Museum of Digital Art (MODA). The recently announced museum will be the region’s first dedicated to digital art and new technologies, providing a platform for immersive artistic experiences, research, education and interdisciplinary exchange.

The meeting reviewed the latest preparations for the 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art (ISEA2026 Dubai), which the emirate will host from 6 to 15 November. Discussions covered its artistic and academic programmes and their role in connecting Dubai’s cultural institutions and creative practitioners with the international ISEA community. Her Excellency emphasised the value of bringing global perspectives and expertise into dialogue with the talent, ideas and artistic practices emerging from Dubai and the wider UAE.

Both sides also explored how the symposium’s relationships and knowledge exchange could support continued collaboration beyond the event. Her Excellency expressed Dubai Culture’s interest in maintaining an active role within ISEA’s international network and developing pathways for Emirati and UAE-based artists, researchers and creative practitioners to participate in its programmes and contribute their expertise.

Vergara shared insights into ISEA International’s future strategic priorities, prompting discussions on areas of alignment with Dubai Culture’s longer-term objectives. Potential avenues included collaborative programming, continued knowledge exchange and stronger institutional connections. Both sides emphasised the importance of identifying shared priorities that could form the basis of a sustained relationship and extend the impact of ISEA2026 Dubai.

The meeting was attended by Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture; Maitha Ali Al Blooshi, Director of the Emerging Arts Department; Ahlam Al Bannai, Director of Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children and Acting Director of the Visual Arts Department; and Sara Al Pachachi, Senior Project Manager in the Corporate Communication and Marketing Department.