Creative workshops and classes to resume at key cultural sites across Abu Dhabi

01 Nov, 2020

Creative workshops and classes will be resuming from 8 November at Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)-run cultural sites and community centres in the emirate, including Manarat Al Saadiyat, Cultural Foundation, Bait Al Oud, Berklee Abu Dhabi, and Al Qattara Arts Centre in Al Ain.

Artistic and cultural sessions and courses are an important creative outlet for all members of society, and at the current moment are especially crucial for children and their parents, providing children and youth with an extra activity to enjoy outside of their homes.
Attendees can be assured that all sessions will be run according to the highest standard of hygiene and safety, in accordance with Government of Abu Dhabi-mandated guidelines and protocols.

Workshops and classes
The Manarat Al Saadiyat Art Studio will be offering onsite sessions in illustration, collage, ceramics, painting and drawing.
Berklee Abu Dhabi will resume in-person private musical instruction and ensemble sessions as well as its Turntable Technique and DJ Skills, Songwriting Essentials, and Digital Music Production courses.
Cultural Foundation’s Al Marsam Al Hor and Bait Al Khatt will once again offer onsite workshops in painting and drawing, and calligraphy.
Bait Al Oud, which has been offering one-to-one private lessons since July, will resume onsite registration examinations and concert rehearsals. In addition to online Solfege classes, in-person courses available at the institution now include Oud, Qanun, Violin, and Vocals.
Al Qattara Arts Centre will resume music classes in piano and oud, as well as art workshops including drawing and painting, decoupage, calligraphy and mosaic.
Safety measures
Pre-booking is required for all classes and workshops, which are restricted to participants ages 12 to 60. Each session will not exceed a two-hour time limit.
All employees, partners , and teachers at DCT Abu Dhabi sites will be undergoing regular COVID-19 testing, and the use of protective masks is mandatory for all personnel.
Upon arrival, all those entering the sites will be subject to a thermal screening and temperature check, and social distancing will be required in waiting areas.

Classrooms and workshop areas will be set up to maintain distancing between participants, with session capacity set at a maximum of 10, including staff and teachers, based on space size and social distancing requirements. There will be no sharing of materials or instruments allowed. Classes and workshops will use disposable materials where possible, and students will be asked to bring their own instruments and materials where appropriate. Equipment such as hand sanitiser and disinfecting wipes will be provided to participants to enable them to keep their hands and stations clean.
After each class, cleaners will disinfect all areas before the next session begins, including sterilisation of any shared computers and screens.