Artistic talent to benefit from set-up of Fujairah Fine Arts Academy

The academy will provide educational services and training programmes in collaboration with well-known British and Egyptian institutions, with a plan to offer certified higher education certificates as well.

The father of Emirati artist Hamad Al Zyoudi, 14, is delighted that his son will have an outlet for his talent. Pawan Singh / The National

FUJAIRAH // Young people with a talent for the arts will soon have an outlet for their creativity with the introduction of the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy.

Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed, the emirate’s Ruler, has issued a law to allow the set-up of the academy, which will develop young people’s talents in painting, Arabic calligraphy, ballet and music.

The academy will provide educational services and training programmes in collaboration with the Academy of Arts in Egypt and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in London, with a plan to offer certified higher education certificates as well.

“Talented children and young adults will learn ballet, study music theory and learn how to play professionally on instruments such as the oud, qanun, guitar, piano and violin, ­applying the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music system,” said Ali Al Hafiti, member of the academy’s board of trustees.

“The academy will also include Arabic calligraphy teaching programmes in styles such as kufic, naskh, riq’ah and diwani.”

The academy will be based in Fujairah city.

“There will be practice and teaching rooms that fit 10 to 15 students each session, a theatre to present the talents to the community and the world, plus management offices and waiting areas,” said Mr Al Hafiti, who is also a musician.

“Instruments will be available at the academy in case pupils can’t afford to buy them and reasonable fees will be offered as an encouragement to everyone.

“Our aim is to prepare artists with international qualifications and to international standards.”

The most talented pupils will have the opportunity to show off their skills while presenting Fujairah and the UAE at international fine arts events.

Afternoon sessions at the academy will be held between 4pm to 10pm.

“Most of the students are expected to be school pupils who can’t attend during morning hours,” said Mr Al Hafiti. “We might add morning sessions in future, if needed.”

Parents and pupils in Fujairah were delighted to learn of the project and excited at the prospect of having professionals on hand to help improve their artistic talents.

“Having an arts academy in the area will allow me to fulfil my son’s desire and keep my promise to him,” said Mohammed Al Zyoudi, father of Hamad, a 14-year-old Emirati boy skilled in calligraphy and painting.

“The arts teacher discovered Hamad’s talent when he was eight years old and since that day we supported him with everything we can, such as tools and a space at home to practise and prepare for exhibitions away from his other siblings.

“I promised to enrol him in a specialised institution but couldn’t manage to do so because they are all far away from Fujairah. But now I feel relieved knowing they will open an academy in Fujairah.”

Hamad has taken part in many arts events and won first place in an exhibition organised by the Ministry of Education in 2014.

“I like to paint historical sites and traditional things that represent the country,” said the teenager, from Al Bithnah near Fujairah.

“I didn’t know that I would be good at calligraphy but my teacher asked me to try to I managed to impress her and myself. I use colours and varied materials in my paintings, such as cardboard and sometimes palm fronds; I try to be creative each time.

“I can’t wait to be part of this academy and represent my country in international exhibitions.”

The academy is expected to open in September.

* This story has been amended to reflect that it is the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in London and not the British Royal Academy of Music that is involved with the academy.