Dubai Culture and Arts Authority Appoints Cultural Experts

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has announced the appointments of Michael Schindhelm and Scott Desmarais as Director of Culture and Director of Strategy and Business Development respectively, announced HE Dr. Omar bin Sulaiman Managing Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority on April 12.

"Both Michael and Scott bring a wealth and breadth of cultural know-how from around the world," said Dr. Omar, adding: "We have been working closely with them both and glad to have been able to attract such outstanding talent in our efforts to establish Dubai as a global centre of arts and culture."

A cultural consultant, writer, dramaturge and theater expert, Michael brings with him 18 years of experience managing some of Europe's most respected theatre companies, including a stint as CEO of the world's largest opera group, Stiftung Oper in Berlin from 2005 to 2007. He was also CEO of Theatre Basel for 10 years, overseeing co-productions and tours throughout the world. During his tenure, the Theater was awarded the Bavarian theatre prize twice and also named Theater of the year for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He is also a trained chemist and published author with numerous articles and fiction and non-fiction works to his credit.

Michael outlined his decision to move to the Middle East: "It is thrilling to work in an artistic and cultural environment that is developing dynamically and at the same time organically. I am eager to apply what I have learned throughout my career, as well as to push my own boundaries of what I know about arts strategy and administration in an emerging market. The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is going to set the standard for this new sector in Dubai, which is both an incredible responsibility for me as a Director of Culture and an honour."

Scott brings considerable expertise in cultural strategy; he has advised leading global corporations, governments and cultural institutions in Paris, London, Buenos Aires, New York, Los Angeles and other cities across the globe. Prior to moving to Dubai, Desmarais was a former partner with BCG and for the past four years, Scott has been Managing Director of the Desmarais Group, an international strategy consulting group focused on critical challenges and opportunities for social development and sponsorship for culture and the arts.

"Dubai is a unique case, in that there is the willingness, passion and ability to implement important infrastructure and programmes much faster and more comprehensively than I have experienced in other markets. There are myriad untapped possibilities for culture and the arts here, and I look forward to working within the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority toward nurturing these possibilities into concrete reality."