Creative Industries Middle East: A Growing Creative Economy

The Middle East’s creative industries are experiencing significant growth, driven by a blend of rich cultural heritage, contemporary innovation, and government initiatives to diversify economies. From film and fashion to digital media and art, the region is emerging as a hub for creative talent and cultural expression.

League of Arab States logo
The League of Arab States (Arabic: جامعة الدول العربية‎ Jāmiʻat ad-Duwal al-ʻArabiyya), commonly called the Arab League (Arabic: الجامعة العربية‎ al-Jāmiʻa al-ʻArabiyya), is a regional organization of Arab states in and around North Africa and Southwest Asia. It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan (renamed Jordan in 1949), Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Yemen joined as a member on 5 May 1945.
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Key Sectors in the Middle Eastern Creative Economy

  • Film and Television
    The Middle East has seen a surge in film production, with countries like Egypt, Lebanon, and the UAE leading the way. Cairo remains a cornerstone of Arab cinema, while Dubai and Abu Dhabi are investing heavily in film infrastructure. Saudi Arabia’s recent lift on its cinema ban has sparked a burgeoning film industry, with initiatives like the Red Sea International Film Festival gaining prominence.
  • Fashion and Design
    Fashion in the Middle East blends traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Designers such as Elie Saab (Lebanon) and Huda Kattan (UAE) have achieved global acclaim. Events like Dubai Fashion Week and Arab Fashion Week showcase regional talent and attract international attention.
  • Visual Arts and Crafts
    The Middle East boasts a thriving contemporary art scene, with galleries and museums such as Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art (Qatar) and the Louvre Abu Dhabi (UAE) highlighting regional and global artists. Traditional crafts, including calligraphy, ceramics, and weaving, remain integral to cultural identity and economic activity.
  • Music and Performing Arts
    The region’s music industry is diverse, ranging from classical Arabic compositions to modern pop and hip-hop. Festivals like the Beirut & Beyond International Music Festival and Saudi Arabia’s MDLBEAST Soundstorm bring together local and international talent.
  • Digital Media and Gaming
    The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing markets for digital media and gaming. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing in eSports and gaming development, while content creators leverage platforms like YouTube and TikTok to reach global audiences.
  • Architecture and Urban Design
    The region is renowned for its architectural innovation, with iconic structures like the Burj Khalifa (Dubai) and the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Saudi Arabia) reflecting a fusion of tradition and modernity.

Trends in the Middle Eastern Creative Economy

  • Government Support: Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in creative industries as part of their economic diversification plans, such as Saudi Vision 2030.
  • Cultural Preservation: Efforts to preserve and promote traditional crafts and heritage are gaining momentum.
  • Digital Transformation: The rise of social media and streaming platforms is providing new avenues for creatives to monetize their work.
  • International Collaboration: Partnerships with global institutions and creatives are fostering cross-cultural exchanges.
  • Sustainability: Eco-conscious fashion and architecture are becoming more prominent in the region.

Challenges

  • Censorship and Regulation: Strict content regulations can limit creative expression in some countries.
  • Access to Funding: Many creatives face difficulties securing investment for their projects.
  • Market Fragmentation: Linguistic and cultural diversity within the region can make it challenging to create content that resonates broadly.

Future Outlook

The Middle East’s creative industries are poised for continued growth, supported by government initiatives, private investment, and a young, tech-savvy population. The rise of digital platforms and global interest in Middle Eastern culture offer significant opportunities for creatives.

The creative economy in the Middle East is a dynamic and evolving sector that reflects the region’s rich heritage and modern aspirations. By addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities, the Middle East is positioning itself as a global leader in creative innovation, bridging tradition and contemporary culture.




Dubai to host the 2024 World Cities Culture Summit (WCCS)

DUBAI, 29th October, 2023 (WAM) — Dubai secured the bid to host and organise the 2024 World Cities Culture Summit (WCCS) from 30th October to 1st November 2024, marking the first time that the event will be hosted in the MENA region. The announcement was made during this year’s summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 25th to 27th October, which was attended by a delegation from the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).
> wam.ae/article/3uqfjp-dubai-host-2024-world-cities-culture-summit


Middle East and Cultural and Creative Sectors

According to CISAC, Africa and the Middle East are a rising market for Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS), with US$58 billion in revenues (3% of worldwide CCS) and 2.4 million jobs (8% of worldwide CCS), according to EY (December 2015). In the CISAC comparison of CCS in worldwide regions, the growth seems to be high in the Middle East. The worldbank in 2017, estimates “creative industries are growing fastest, at more than 10% a year” in the Middle-East.

Numbers differ though for specific countries, as well as the characteristics of CCS vary from TV to games, and architecture to visual arts. The world bank for instance estimates creative industries to contribute 7% to the global GDP in Kuwait. CCS in other Middle East countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, are rising very fast.

Some countries have strong investment programs, based on cultural and creative industries policy. Beginning of 2018, the United Arab Emirates launched the UAE Cultural Development Fund, related to the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development. In this way, cultural activities and projects can be effectively supported.
> ecbnetwork.eu


Did you know?

The Middle East is a subcontinent with no clear boundaries. The term “Middle East” was popularized around 1900 in the United Kingdom; it has a loose definition traditionally encompassing countries or regions in Western Asia and parts of North Africa. The corresponding adjective to Middle East is Middle-Eastern and the derived noun is Middle-Easterner.

The history of the Middle East dates back to ancient times, and throughout its history the Middle East has been a major centre of world affairs. The Middle East is also the geographic origin of three of the world’s major religions – Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The Middle East generally has an arid and hot climate, with several major rivers providing for irrigation to support agriculture in limited areas. Many countries located around the Persian Gulf have large quantities of crude oil. In modern times the Middle East remains a strategically, economically, politically, culturally, and religiously sensitive region.

One widely used definition of the “Middle East” is that of the airline industry, maintained by the IATA standards organization. This definition — as of early 2007 — includes Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestinian territories, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. This definition is used in world-wide airfare and tax calculations for passengers and cargo.