Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has unveiled the latest edition of its School of Life programme under the theme ‘Hello Summer’, offering a rich line-up of creative and educational activities across Dubai Public Libraries throughout July.
Designed to nurture life and creative skills across all age groups and backgrounds, the programme includes 23 curated experiences. It forms part of Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy, aiming to promote creativity, community engagement, and cultural learning in a relaxed, interactive environment.
Participants can choose from sessions that explore everything from content creation and storytelling to well-being and emotional intelligence. Workshops will be hosted at public libraries including Al Safa, Al Mankhool, Al Rashidiya, and Hatta, with each venue offering a distinctive mix of activities.
At the Reporters Training and Media Production Center, the workshop The Art of Storytelling will equip writers, influencers, and filmmakers with tools to create digitally savvy, culturally relevant content. Meanwhile, at Hatta Public Library, Nada Saeed Kattan’s Smoothie Your Way session will teach nutritious drink-making as part of the Health & Nutrition Club.
The Family Development Club will host sessions titled Keys to Life: Self-Confidence and Personal Strength Skills in Hatta and Al Rashidiya libraries. Led by Jehan Safar, the sessions focus on building emotional resilience, stress management, and women’s empowerment through practical and mindful techniques.
At Al Safa Art & Design Library, hands-on creativity takes centre stage. Workshops include Barjeel: Pencil Holder, inspired by traditional Emirati architecture, and Inspiration from Van Gogh’s Paintings, where budding artists channel emotions into expressive art. StuDIYo Lab and Medaf Creative Studio are leading several workshops that cover plaster sculpting, marine-themed crafts, and advanced painting techniques.
Dubai’s multilingual and multicultural spirit is also reflected in the programme. Al Mankhool Public Library will host ‘Baybayin Calligraphy on Beach Hat’, introducing Filipino heritage and the ancient Baybayin script in an artistic beachwear format. The same venue will also serve up a Japanese Kakigori dessert class, blending hands-on culinary skills with insights into Japanese summer traditions.
Language learners can join six ‘French for Beginners’ sessions at Al Mankhool, aimed at boosting real-world communication skills. Modules cover conversational basics, dining out, shopping, city navigation, and workplace dialogue.
The programme also features a School of Life Photography Exhibition at Al Safa Library, celebrating emerging talent from Dubai Culture’s Photography Impact Track. The exhibition showcases how photography is being used as a storytelling and cultural preservation tool.
By offering diverse, inclusive, and creative experiences, School of Life reaffirms Dubai Culture’s commitment to enriching community life through accessible public programming. The initiative continues to position public libraries as cultural hubs where residents can learn, create, and connect.
