Shubbak champions contemporary Arab art and culture through an award-winning, biennial festival, national touring and original engagement programme. Its artistic excellence was recognised in 2018 by Arts Council England when it achieved National Portfolio Organisation status. Since its inception in 2011, Shubbak Festival has become Europe’s largest festival of contemporary Arab arts and culture. It’s multi-art form programme of new and unexpected voices and established artists has reached combined audiences of over 240,000 over the course of 5 festivals, and an audience of millions through its extensive media coverage and online platforms. The most recent market research findings show that the festival attracts a more ethnically diverse audience than is generally seen in London arts audiences. Its achievements were acknowledged in 2018 when the Festival was awarded the UNESCO Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture for its work in promoting intercultural dialogue, developing Arab culture and enhancing mutual understanding. Shubbak’s pioneering engagement programme is supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. It comprises a range of activities including community-engaged artist residencies and commissions, public realm programming, Young Shubbak - a professional development programme for young people, and an internship programme.