Paolo Petrocelli

Dr. Paolo Petrocelli

An internationally recognized cultural leader with more than 15 years of experience in leading and developing cultural and artistic organizations across the world, Dr. Paolo Petrocelli currently serves as the Head of Dubai Opera in the United Arab Emirates.

Paolo Petrocelli collaborated with some of the most prestigious international organizations, like the United Nations, UNESCO, the European Commission, and the World Economic Forum.

Before joining Emaar in February 2023, he served as the founding Director General of the Stauffer Center for Strings of Cremona - the first international music centre dedicated entirely to stringed instruments and Director General of the Accademia Stauffer, one of Italy’s most prestigious music institutions.

Former Board Member of the Rome Opera House, Petrocelli is the Founder and President of EMMA for Peace (Euro-Mediterranean Music Academy), the Founder and Honorary President of the Italian Youth Association for UNESCO, the largest youth organization in the UNESCO system, Cultural Diplomacy Officer for the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates and Cultural Advisor to Coldplay.

Paolo Petrocelli has a Ph.D. in Cultural Economics from IULM University of Milan, an Executive MBA from the Bocconi School of Management, a Diploma in Violin Performance (MA) from the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia of Rome, a BA in Literature and Musicology from La Sapienza University of Rome, a BA (Hons) Music from Middlesex University of London.

In 2023, he was recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum for continued contributions to arts and culture.

In 2022, he was selected by the think tank Friends of Europe among the 40 most influential young personalities in Europe and nominated European Young Leader.

In the same year, the magazine Fortune named him among the 40 most influential personalities under 40 in Italy as the first cultural manager ever selected.