New Law Boosts Arts Sector With Tax Breaks & Global Opportunities

The UAE has introduced a Federal Decree-Law aimed at redefining the nation’s arts sector by establishing a unified framework for art institutions and providing substantial support to artists and cultural organisations. This transformative legislation seeks to foster artistic innovation, attract talent, and bolster the country’s creative economy while promoting values of tolerance and cultural expression.

Under the law, individuals and organisations—both domestic and international—can establish private museums, art exhibitions, and theatrical performances with the necessary approvals from local authorities or the Ministry of Culture. Licensing procedures have been streamlined to encourage the formation of art institutions while ensuring robust governance through specific requirements, including the formation of boards of trustees for managing these entities.

The decree offers significant incentives to institutions and artists, including exemptions from corporate taxes and temporary customs duties for art collections displayed in exhibitions. These measures are complemented by provisions allowing institutions to accept endowments, grants, donations, and sponsorships under specific legal conditions, ensuring financial sustainability for cultural projects.

Artistic activities covered under the law span visual and audio arts, literature, theatre, music, and performing arts. In addition to hosting events, lectures, and film screenings, institutions are encouraged to use virtual platforms to make art collections and cultural content widely accessible.

The legislation also introduces strict guidelines to maintain the integrity of artistic expression, prohibiting unlicensed activities and any work that promotes hatred or incites sectarian, racial, or religious conflict.