Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF)

Based in the UAE, Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation was established in 1996 by Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo to promote arts, music, and culture across the Arab region. ADMAF hosts performances, concerts, talks, and workshops and gives grants to support talented regional artists. ADMAF's flagship event is the annual Abu Dhabi Festival, one of the region's largest cultural events and a key promotor of Arab culture.

  • Organisation type Foundation
  • Year founded 1996
  • Headquartered Abu Dhabi
  • Registration United Arab Emirates
  • Website https://www.admaf.org/

Related sustainable development goals

  • Quality Education
  • Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Focus areas

Focus sectors

  • Arts
    • Performing arts
      • Performing arts education
      • Dance
      • Music
      • Performance art
      • Theater
    • Visual arts
      • Architecture
      • Design
      • Sculpture
      • Painting
      • Textile arts
    • Cultural awareness
    • Humanities
      • Languages
      • History
      • Art history
    • Museums
      • Art museums
    • Arts education
    • Arts exchange
    • Arts & Culture

Focus populations

  • Academics
  • Artists and performers
  • Students
  • Teachers

Focus geographies

  • Middle East
    • United Arab Emirates

Partners

  • Chopard
  • Dolphin Energy
  • GS Energy
  • Gulf Capital
  • L’ECOLE Van Cleef and Arpels
  • Mubadala
  • TotalEnergies Foundation

Programmes

  • Abu Dhabi Festival

    An annual cultural festival organised by Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) since 2004 that showcases artistic and cultural works of Arab creators.

  • ADMAF Awards

    Part of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation's (ADMAF) education programmes, ADMAF awards include several specialised awards that recognise talent and excellence through training opportunities and cash rewards sponsored by corporate partners. They include: Dolce&Gabbana x ADMAF Design Awards, TotalEnergies Sustainability Design Award, Gulf Capital ADMAF Creativity Award, Gulf Capital – ADMAF Visual Arts Award, ADMAF Design Fund in Partnership with L’Ecole, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, and the Christo & Jeanne-Claude Award.

  • ADMAF grants scheme

    Grants, for which registered organisations or individuals can apply, to launch initiatives or projects that fall into the categories of cultural citizenship, community arts, and arts education. 

  • Music in Hospitals

    An initiative by Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and supported by Dolphin Energy which brings UAE-based musicians to perform in hospitals for patients, doctors, hospital staff, and families.

  • Riwaq Al Adab Wal Kitab

    ADMAF's initiative at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, where it presents the achievements of Emirati and Arab writers.

  • Riwaq Al Fikr

    An initiative by the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), and supported by Emirates Global Aluminium, that focusses on providing a platform for dialogue for diplomats, cultural leaders, and the general public to discuss contemporary issues revolving around culture.  

  • Tandem Al Emarat

    A professional development and cultural collaboration programme for cultural professionals done in partnership with the European Cultural Foundation and Berlin-based NGO MitOst. 

  • The Artists' Studio

    An online resource platform launched by Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation which includes talks, interviews, and other digital material related to arts and culture. The platform is made available to young artists and other creatives as an education and inspiration tool to learn from leading international artistic professionals. 

  • The Nationals' Gallery - Riwaq Al Fan Al Emirati

    A register launched by Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) to connect Emirati visual artists with collectors and art lovers.

  • Young Filmmakers' Circle

    An annual programme supported by Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) where a group of young filmmakers in the UAE are selected to undergo intensive training by film experts in the region to develop their creative and technical skills. In parallel, public film screenings from regional talents are also held to provide exposure to local filmmakers and entertainment for film enthusiasts and the wider public. This initiative is done in partnership with Germany's Film Academy Baden-Württemberg and Orient Meets Occident.

  • Young Media Leaders

    An annual vocational training programme for Emirati students launched by the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) for those aspiring to pursue a future in media.

Financials

Funding model

  • Foundation-administered programme awards
  • Grants to Individuals
  • Pro bono services
    • Pro bono advocacy services
    • Pro bono program design and analysis services
  • Programme related investment

Primary funders

  • Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo

Funding source

  • Corporate
  • Private

Operations

Key staff

  • Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, founder and chair
  • Michel El Gemayel, executive director

Board members

  • Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, founder and chair
  • Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak
  • Sheikha Noor Fahim Al Qasimi
  • Mohammed Al Otaiba
  • Karim El Solh
  • Reen Al Shemari

Contact details