

The awards honour and recognize individuals, business, organisations and government entities that have demonstrated financial and in-kind contributions towards arts in Dubai, with sustained support and promotion of artistic activity. Contributions are recognised in the visual arts, film, literature and performing arts.
The awards champion and recognise financial support to Dubai's creative community. They pave the way for the city's creative environment to not only exhibit content, but also create it. The awards help develop a unique library of indigenous contemporary work.
Winners of 2012 Award distributed on 13 May 2013:
Distinguished Patrons of the Arts category:
- Sheikha Latifa bint Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
- Dr Rafeia Ghobash
- Investment Corporation of Dubai
- Emirates
- Dr Farhad Farjam
- Abraaj Group
- Jumeirah Group
Patrons of the Arts category:
- Wife of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment
- General Headquarters of Dubai Police
- Emaar
- Al Serkal Family
- Ramin Salsali
- Akram Miknas
- MBC Group
- Deutsche Bank
- Dubai Duty Free
- Arabian Gulf Mechanical Centre (AGMC) – BMW
- Cartier
Special Honorary Award:
- Wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Jumaa Al Maktoum
Supporters of the Arts:
- Sheikh Wafaa bint Hasher Al Maktoum
- Roads & Transport Authority
- Amer Ali Al Aghband
- Van Cleef & Arpels
- CNN
- Matar bin Lahej
- Bank Sarasin-Alpen and Alpen Capital
Friends of the Arts category:
- General Directorate of Residency. and Foreigners Affairs
- Dubai Media City
- Dubai Studio City
- Al Tayer Group
- Dubai Airports
- Aramex
- UBS AG
- Audi
- Abdul Latif Jamil Social Initiatives
- Electra Events & Exhibitions
- Mixed Media Publishing
- Hills Advertising
- IWC Schaffhausen
- Sharaf DG
- Michelin