In recognition of his profound contributions to the UAE’s cultural landscape, Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal, founder of the Alserkal cultural enterprise, has been awarded the Abu Dhabi Award, the highest civilian honour in the Emirates. Presented under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the award celebrates individuals whose generosity and civic commitment have left a lasting positive impact on society.

Now in its 12th edition, this year’s Abu Dhabi Awards adopt the theme “Hand in Hand”, aligning with the UAE’s Year of Community and reinforcing the nation’s long-standing tradition of compassion, cultural stewardship, and collective progress.

A Cultural Pioneer Who Transformed Dubai’s Creative Landscape

A respected business leader and a pioneering patron of the arts, Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal has been instrumental in shaping Dubai’s contemporary creative ecosystem. His vision took root in 2007 with the founding of Alserkal Avenue, a once-industrial site in Al Quoz that he transformed into a dynamic cultural district. Today, the Avenue is home to more than 100 creative spaces, attracting over two million visitors annually, and stands as one of the region’s most influential hubs for art, design, performance, and cultural dialogue.

What began as a grassroots initiative has evolved into Alserkal, a global cultural enterprise with three interconnected pillars:

• Arts Foundation – supporting artistic experimentation, residencies, grants, and public art
• Advisory – providing cultural strategy and creative economy consulting across the region and worldwide
• Cultural Districts – developing creative spaces that foster community, collaboration, and innovation

To date, Alserkal has delivered more than 5,000 public programmes, collaborated with over 500 institutions, and welcomed millions of visitors, reinforcing Dubai’s position as an international centre for arts and cultural exchange. Through its residency programmes, the Arts Foundation has supported over 50 artists, curators, and researchers since 2017, while its contributions to Dubai Public Art continue to shape the city’s cultural identity through site-specific commissions.

A Lifetime Honour

Reflecting on the recognition, Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal shared:

“It is a lifetime honour to receive the Abu Dhabi Award by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Award reflects the spirit of generosity, collaboration, and civic responsibility that drives our nation forward. Alserkal was founded on the belief that culture can transform how we live—turning spaces into communities and ideas into shared purpose. I remain deeply thankful to the artists, curators, creative entrepreneurs, partners, and members of the public who continue to give meaning to our work.”

Vilma Jurkute, Executive Director of Alserkal, added:

“Abdelmonem’s vision has created spaces where artists and cultural practitioners can take risks, experiment, and push boundaries. His belief in the power of culture to foster dialogue has shaped conversations not only in Dubai but around the world.”

A Legacy of Impact

This latest honour joins a distinguished list of recognitions, including:

• Patron of the Arts Award (2012, 2013) by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
• Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2023) by the French Republic
• Medal for Culture and Creativity (2024) by the UAE Ministry of Culture

Through steadfast commitment, visionary leadership, and an unwavering belief in culture as a force for progress, Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal continues to shape the UAE’s artistic future—one community, one dialogue, and one creative space at a time.

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