Zayed University (ZU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Urban Arts Projects (UAP), a global company curating and constructing public art projects recently at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi campus.The MoU came to reinforce collaboration with UAP in mutually beneficial initiatives such as specific public art projects, strategies and masterplans, curatorial development with sourcing and curating artists, workshops and concept development sessions and events and to enhance culturally collaborative public art projects for ZU artists and alumni. Present at the event were Dr Marilyn Roberts, Provost at Zayed University, Ann-Maree Reaney, Dean of the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises (CACE), David Howarth, Assistant Dean of the CACE, Walter Willems, Zayed University Exhibition Coordinator, Mathew Tobin, Director of UAP, HE Donna Massie Trade and Investment Commissioner, Middle East Trade & Investment Queensland – Queensland Government, Australia, and Geoffrey Schuhkraft, Senior Advisor Middle East Relations, Queensland Government, Trade & Investment Queensland.
Speaking on the occasion, Ann-Maree Reaney said:“ It is a wonderful opportunityfor our students and alumni to work with a prestigious global company such as UAP, on projects integrating public art administration, and public art strategies.We look forward to participating and collaborating on selected projects, in the UAE and surrounding region. I see this opportunity as mutually beneficial, CACE students will receive training and mentoring by leading international specialists in the field of public art,and studentswill bring a strong context of cultural and heritage advisingand Emirati presence to these collaborations.” She also added: “It will be a great example of youth, innovation and knowledge development in the art and design sector, in the UAE. Public art and cultural precinct development is a significant player in making our public spaces more liveable and crucial to our health and sense of well-being.”UAP collaborates with artists, architects, designers, property developers and local authorities to deliver creative outcomes for the public realm. Its ground-breaking approach to using materials, experimentation and research in innovative fabrication methods has been the key to its success. UAP is currently working on several international projects, including the curatorial vision and public art program of Queen’s Wharf in Brisbane with kinetic artist Ned Khan and a large scale artwork with Lawrence Argent at Uniwalk, a mixed-use development in north Shenzhen, China.Speaking on behalf of the Queensland Government Commissioner, Donna Massie said: “It is great to see such a strong collaboration formed around the arts and it only strengthens the broad collaborative agreement between Abu Dhabi and Queensland. Queensland, being a state of innovation and a great supporter of the arts is excited about the future of this collaboration and the opportunities it will provide both parties.”
About Zayed University
Zayed University is today the premier national university in the United Arab Emirates and a regional leader in educational innovation and change. It has created and implemented a skills-rich, outcome-based general education program that systemically develops student skills, knowledge, and values associated with liberal learning and provided a solid foundation for pursuit of disciplinary majors and future careers. Zayed University welcomes national and international students, and provides them with a high quality education, offered by seasoned teaching scholars to prepare them to shape the future of the United Arab Emirates.Zayed University offers Undergraduate and Graduate degrees in the following Colleges: College of Arts & Creative Enterprises (recognized as substantially equivalent by NASAD), College of Business (Accredited by AACSB), College of Communication & Media Sciences (Accredited by ACEJMC), College of Education (Accredited by NCATE), College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, and College of Technological Innovation (Accredited by ABET). For more information, visit www.zu.ac.ae