Shurooq pumps Dh447 mn into 5 projects to bolster Sharjah’s cultural portfolio
The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has revealed to have invested Dh447 million over the past 15 years in developing five projects to bolster its arts and culture sector. These developments are part of a comprehensive strategic portfolio that includes 52 projects across various sectors, spanning a total area of 60 million square feet throughout the emirate, with total investments and partnerships exceeding Dh7.2 billion.
The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has revealed to have invested Dh447 million over the past 15 years in developing five projects to bolster its arts and culture sector. These developments are part of a comprehensive strategic portfolio that includes 52 projects across various sectors, spanning a total area of 60 million square feet throughout the emirate, with total investments and partnerships exceeding Dh7.2 billion.
The five projects that anchor Shurooq’s achievements in this sector are the Heart of Sharjah, House of Wisdom, Al Noor Island, Maraya Art Centre and 1971 Design Space, and Mleiha National Park.
Mleiha National Park is a 34.2 square kilometres development in central Sharjah, featuring archaeological remains dating back over 210,000 years. It is part of the Faya Palaeolandscape, which was officially inscribed on United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) World Heritage List in 2025.
The House of Wisdom is a futuristic development spanning 40,391 square metres. It is well regarded for its sustainable architectural design, open spaces, and diverse intellectual events, attracting children, youth, researchers, writers, and students. It also houses the iconic Scroll monument — a piece of public art symbolising the timeless power of knowledge and the written word.
The Heart of Sharjah is one of the largest and most significant cultural restoration projects in the region. Traditional markets such as Souq Al Arsah and Souq Al Shanasiyah have been revived, while old houses have been restored and repurposed. It hosts the luxury hotel Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah and its extension, The Serai Wing – Bait Khalid Bin Ibrahim.
Situated on Khalid Lagoon and spanning 45,470 square metres, Al Noor Island is a flagship project featuring art installations, interactive light structures, landscaped botanical trails, and standout features such as the Butterfly House.
Shurooq established the Maraya Art Centre and 1971 Design Space to build a platform to showcase the evolving landscape of contemporary visual arts. Each development occupies over 621 square metres and hosts rotating exhibitions, artist residencies, open workshops, and forums. Maraya is dedicated to visual arts, while 1971 focuses on experimental contemporary design.
These developments align with UNESCO reports, which emphasise that cultural and creative projects are a significant economic and social driver, contributing meaningfully to gross domestic product (GDP), creating job opportunities, and strengthening social cohesion, while also having a positive impact on sustainable development. This underscores the sector’s strategic importance as a key element in supporting sustainable growth and economic diversification, particularly in cities that adopt cultural identity as a central part of their urban fabric.
These investments also support the UAE’s drive to position the creative economy as a cornerstone of its growth and development strategy for the next 50 years, particularly as it is one of the fastest-growing economic sectors worldwide, contributing more than 6.1 per cent to global gross domestic product (GDP) and generating annual revenues exceeding US$2 trillion.
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