OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITIES

A page of local competitions, open calls, residencies and other opportunities open to the Gulf’s creative community

Sikka Art & Design Festival – Open Call

ART / DESIGN

DEADLINE EXTENDED 31 August 2026

Submit proposals for participation in Sikka 2027 (to be held in January: dates not yet specified) as artist, performer or workshop facilitator

  • The usual diverse collection of activities – visual arts, drawing, sculpture, photography, design, murals, multimedia, culinary arts, interactive workshops, musical performances, talks “and more” – held as usual in Al Shindagha plus for 2027 some events in Al Fahidi
  • Theme:  ‘The Return’ – to roots, traditions, and identity “while revitalising places through memory, people, and cultural exchange” and reflecting the symbolic return to Sikka’s original home, Al Fahidi
  • Currently only artists can apply (form here) with “other categories to be announced soon” (no indication when: maybe keep checking this page)
  • Apply online with …
    – Personal details, bio, professional CV, professional photo
    – Spec of artwork (implies one only)
    – Brief description (50w)
    – Price if for sale (Sikka takes no commission)
    – Portfolio (max 4Mb, doc, .docx, .pdf, .png, .jpg, .bmp)
    – Artwork concept Proposal: detailed written description supported by photos or drawings of work with any special display requirements (max 4Mb, doc, .docx, .pdf, .png, .jpg, .bmp)
    – “Proposal summary” (not clear what this is, but it’s optional: max 4Mb, doc, .docx, .pdf, .png, .jpg, .bmp)
  • No entry fee
  • (Implicit) based in UAE
  • Participation in Sikka Festival

Open Call: The Art Circle Award

ART

DEADLINE 10 September 2026

Apply to be part of an exhibition of shortlisted submissions in Alserkal Avenue in November; one winner gets AED 20,000

  • 6th edition of annual award for UAE-residing artists
  • Theme: ‘On Mending’ – “reflect on the act of mending while the process of breaking is still unfolding … Consider repair not as a conclusion, but as a continuous gesture of resilience, care, hope, and transformation”
  • Submissions:
    – Only one per artist
    – Painting and mixed media only (no digital techniques)
    – Size: min 40cm max 80cm per side
    – Simple wooden “American-style” frame (max 3cm width, no glass/Plexiglas)
    – Label on back with artist’s name and artwork title
    – Artwork must not have won an award in any other competition
  • Apply with …
    – UAE ID copy (pdf)
    – Artist bio (pdf)
    – High res image of artwork (jpg)
    – Artwork dimensions (HxW)
    – Brief description (max 1,200 chars)
    – Portfolio of past works (optional, pdf)
  • Jury of “art and culture professionals” selects shortlist from submitted images. Criteria:
    – Conceptual Strength: match for the theme
    – Composition & Design: balance, structure, visual harmony
    – Material & Technique: innovation and technical skill
    – Originality & Expression: interpretation of the theme
  • Finalists (no indication how many) notified by 16 Oct, must then submit original artworks for physical assessment
  • Finalists are exhibited (Alserkal Avenue in Nov, exact dates to be confirmed) and must attend the exhibition opening
  • All finalists receive a certificate of participation and social media coverage. One winner gets AED 20,000; winning artwork becomes part of The Art Circle collection, will be reproduced as a giclée print (signed and numbered by the artist) for distribution to “art professionals”
  • Finalists retain all other rights but agree to loan works free of charge to TAC for two months following the jury’s decision (probably duration of the exhibition plus a few more days) 
  • No entry fee
  • UAE residents and nationals
  • Aged 18+
  • Participation in shortlist exhibition in Dubai (exact dates tbc)
  • One prize winner:
    – selected by jury from shortlist
    – gets AED 20,000
    – giclée prints of winning work for art professionals

AI Park Design Challenge

DESIGN / ARCHITECTURE / URBANISM

DEADLINE EXTENDED 21 September 2026

Redesign Dubai’s Al Safa Park 2 using AI tools (demonstrating that such tools can be at the heart of creating inclusive, human-centred environments). Three cash prizes totalling AED 200,000

  • Redesign Dubai’s Al Safa 2 Park (15,000m2 neighbourhood park) with AI tools deployed to produce “innovative concepts that are both visionary and implementable”
  • Dubai Municipality pilot initiative “to harness the power of AI across urban planning, architecture, and park design – reimagining the future of parks and public spaces in Dubai”
  • Aim: to explore how an integrated AI ecosystem can augment “the entire design journey from site analysis and user insights to concept generation, scenario testing, and solution development … ultimately elevating design quality while accelerating innovation, creativity, and human-centred outcomes … Exploring AI as a tool not the designer, every design must begin and end with human experience, ensuring spaces are shaped around people and their daily needs … enabling the exploration of new possibilities, challenging conventional approaches, and generating innovative, human-centred public spaces”
  • Specifically: challenge aims to use artificial intelligence as a design support and decision-making tool, rather than as an end product or a requirement to incorporate AI technologies within the park itself
  • Prizes: 1st AED 100,000 2nd AED 65,000 3rd AED 35,000
  • Target applicants: “a diverse community of participants at the intersection of design, artificial intelligence, and innovation across the fields of urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, and public space design”. Specifically referenced:
    – architecture, urban planning, landscape design professionals
    – startups innovating in design and AI
    – AI and technology innovators
    – “creative individuals”
  • Apply individually or as a team (one member must be designated as the team leader and primary point of contact)
  • Very detailed project files available to download. Proposals must include (as a minimum) these elements:
    – Walking and jogging tracks
    – Children’s play areas for different ages
    – Shaded seating and gathering spaces
    – Landscaped green areas and open lawns
    – Community plazas and flexible event spaces
    – Family picnic and social interaction areas
    – Outdoor fitness and wellness spaces
    – Universal accessibility and inclusive design features
    – Public amenities and services inc restrooms and drinking fountains
    – Wayfinding, lighting, safety features
    – Commercial facilities
  • Submit …
    1. Executive Summary Presentation: summary of design vision, concept, key innovations
    2. Design Narrative and Concept Statement: design philosophy, vision, placemaking approach, overall concept
    3. Site Analysis and Opportunities Assessment: site context, opportunities and constraints, environmental and climatic analysis
    4. User and Community Analysis: user groups, personas, community needs, aspirations, human-centred design considerations
    5. Artificial Intelligence Methodology Report: AI tools and platforms utilised, workflows, methodologies, design alternatives explored, role of AI in decision-making
    6. Concept and Preliminary Masterplan: overall masterplan illustrating spatial organisation, zoning, and activity distribution
    7. Landscape and Public Realm Plans: landscape strategy, public realm design, planting strategy, and open space framework
    8. Accessibility and Circulation Strategy: universal accessibility, pedestrian and bicycle circulation, service access strategy
    9. Sustainability and Resilience Strategy: environmental, social, and economic sustainability measures and resilience strategies
    10. Concept Diagrams and Preliminary Design Drawings: concept evolution, user journey, environmental, circulation, and analytical diagrams
    11. Sections and Elevations: key sections and elevations required to communicate the proposal
    12. Visualisations and Renderings: aerial perspectives, human-scale perspectives, key experiential views
    13. Day and Night Perspectives: visualisations illustrating the park experience during daytime and nighttime activation
    14. Full Project Presentation: presentation summarising the proposal, including analysis, concept, masterplan, diagrams, and visualisations
    15. One-Minute Concept Animation Video: illustrating the design vision, user experience, key interventions
  • Total implementation budget: AED 35 million
  • Proposals …
    – should organise paths, activities, and open spaces into a clear and cohesive spatial experience with strong connectivity, accessibility, and functional zoning
    – design must be practical, buildable, and functional – must exhibit human-centred design approach with “practical solutions that enhance sustainability and quality of life”
    – AI used to explore design iteration, analyse data, user behaviour, optimise spatial layouts (focus not on automation, but how on how AI can strengthen human-centred, sustainable, context-responsive design)
  • Use of AI: Participants must demonstrate how AI tools were integrated into the design process, eg …
    – Concept Exploration: generating and testing design ideas
    – Design Iteration: refining layouts and spatial arrangements
    – Environmental Analysis (shade, heat, solar exposure, wind) and Response: optimising shade, microclimate, sustainability strategies
    – User Experience Insights: design decisions based on predicted user behaviour
    – Design Optimisation: efficiency, performance, functionality
    – Visualisation: visuals to communicate design intent
    – Site/User Data Analysis: climate, context, behaviour patterns
  • Selection process:
    1. submissions are evaluated by jury
    2. shortlisted designs presented to the local community, who “participate” in selecting winner
  • Jury members:
    – Maryam Al Muhairi
    – Abdulaziz Al Jaziri
    – Shaikha Al Jarman
    – Bader Anwahi
    – Ahmed Bin Shabib
    – Rashid Bin Shabib
    – Carlo Ratti
    – Ahmed Bukhash
    – Adam Scott
    – chair: Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO Dubai Municipality Building Regulation & Permits Agency
  • Jury evaluation scoring
    – 1. Innovation and Creativity: 20%
    – 2. Human-centred design, quality of life: 20%
    – 3. Integration and Effective Use of AI: 20%
    – 4. Quality of Design and User Experience: 15%
    – 5. Feasibility: 20%
    – 6. Quality of Presentation and communication: 5%
  • Queries: ulab@dm.gov.ae before 5 Aug
  • No entry fee
  • None stated
  • Opportunity to win prize:
    1st AED 100,000
    2nd AED 65,000
    3rd AED 35,000
  • Possibility that winning design will be implemented

Rove Hotels / World Art Dubai Emerging Artist Prize

ART

DEADLINE 30 September 2026

Apply to be part of the shortlist exhibit at World Art Dubai 2026; one Grand Winner gets a booth at WAD 2027, one People’s Prize winner gets AED 5,000

  • Collaboration between Rove Hotels and World Art Dubai, “attracting thousands of entries every year”
  • Submit works on the theme Threads of Connection (“encourages artists to explore human connection in the digital age, how relationships, communication, and empathy evolve as technology intertwines with daily life”)
  • Submissions:
    – Accepted media: images, illustrations, animations, 2D and 3D digital art
    – Min resolution: 1000×1000px
    – Accepted formats: JPEG, GIF, PNG, MP4
    – No indication of how many works can be submitted (we’d guess one per entry)
  • Shortlist announced by 13 April 2026, contains up to 10 works (we assume only one work per submission and per artist)
  • Shortlisted artworks will be displayed at the Rove Hotels’ Emerging Artist Prize stand at World Art Dubai (19-22 Nov)
  • Two winners will be selected from shortlist:
    – Grand Winner, selected by jury (prize: exhibition space at World Art Dubai 2027)
    – People’s Choice Winner, chosen by the public (presumably at WAD – prize: AED 5,000)
  • Selection jury comprises …
    – Petra Kaltenbach, World Art Dubai Art Advisor
    – Samar Kamel, World Art Dubai Curator
    – unspecified members of Rove Hotels Design Team
  • No entry fee
  • None stated (though there is no definition for what constitutes an “emerging” artist)
  • Participation in shortlist exhibition at World Art Dubai 2026 (total of 10 artworks on show)
  • Grand Prize:
    – one work selected by jury from shortlist
    – complimentary space to exhibit at World Art Dubai 2027
    – one-night stay at Rove Hotels
  • People’s Choice Award:
    – one work selected by public vote (no indication how this works)
    – AED 5,000 cash
    – one-night stay at Rove Hotels


Venice Internships for National Pavilion UAE at 20th International Architecture Exhibition

ANY CREATIVE / INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

DEADLINE 16 October 2026

Apply to intern onsite for a month at the Biennale Architecture 2027 (Venice, 6 May to 21 Nov 2027)

  • Since its inception in 2009, 300+ Emiratis and UAE residents have been Venice interns
  • Selected interns work across all facets of the UAE pavilion at Biennale Architettura 2027 (6 May – 21 Nov 2027) in Venice for one month. UAE pavilion is permanently located at Sale d’Armi, Arsenale https://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/2027
  • Open to …
    – Emiratis and long-term residents (min 6 years)
    – aged 21 and above
    – with an interest or background in arts, architecture, design, diplomacy, international relations “or representing the UAE on a significant global platform”
    – graduates or students in relevant majors
    – fluent in English
  • Applicants must be available to travel for up to 40 days (with written consent from parents)
  • Internship activities include:
    – Guest Services: Managing the pavilion during opening hours, assisting visitors and journalists, guided tours
    – Exhibition Management: Ensuring the pavilion space is tidy, and collateral are replenished and in good condition, equipment is in working order; filing condition reports, exhibition inventory
    – Communications Support: document visitor feedback, contribute to social media
  • Programme begins with training and workshops in the UAE then a month-long placement in Venice. Interns are grouped into cohorts of three and will work in Venice alongside an Italian interns from Ca’Foscari University or IUAV
  • Timeline:
    1. Applications are reviewed against the program’s eligibility and selection criteria. By our count, 21-24 interns will be selected
    2. Shortlisted applicants interviewed in December
    3. All applicants (successful and unsuccessful) notified by February
    4. Mandatory training sessions and workshops weekends to April
    5. Batches of 3 interns are sent to Venice on a 30-day rotation from April to November (selection is at the discretion of the organiser “but we take availability into account”)
  • Provided:
    – Travel Dubai-Venice-Dubai ­
    – Accommodation in Venice (shared room) – Per diem expenses (amount unspecified)
    – Local Internship Coordinator to manage the program and support interns
    – Help with EU visa application
  • Apply online with …
    – personal details, CV etc
    – Cover Letter giving your motivation for applying for the internship (max one letter page in 11pt font, max 2MB)
    – Supporting materials – eg essays, previous works, artwork
  • No application fee
  • Queries to internship@nationalpavilionuae.org
  • Emirati national or long-term UAE resident (six consecutive years’ residency)
  • Aged 21+
  • Graduate or student in a relevant major
  • Fluent in English
  • Practical experience in managing an exhibition space, dealing with visitors, acting as an ambassador for the cause

BASE39 Creative Accelerator

DESIGN

DEADLINE unspecified

Apply to participate in a furniture design and product development programme at Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK). 20 places available, cash prizes for top three graduates

  • Programme is designed to support local creative talents in developing furniture design concepts into “refined, commercially viable products” and “nurturing scalable creative ventures that translate identity, craft, and material exploration into market-ready products
  • Hosted at SPARK’s Base 39 creative hub (“brings together designers, architects, artists and creative entrepreneurs within a collaborative ecosystem”)
  • Programme is …
    – Rooted in regional heritage
    – Driven by contemporary design approaches to furniture
    – Focused on translating furniture concepts into market-ready products
  • Applicants must …
    – Be a UAE National or UAE Resident
    – Be currently based in the UAE
    – Submit an original and unpublished design
  • Designs submitted should be …
    – culturally inspired
    – rooted in Arab heritage
    – ”interpreted through a contemporary cross-cultural lens … The goal is to reimagine the bridge of tradition and contemporary design with relevance and creativity”
  • Submissions are in Categories. Select one from …
    – Seating
    – Tables
    – Storage
    – Lighting
  • Apply with …
    – Concept Statement (max 300 words: explains design inspiration, cultural narrative, intended functionality)
    – One furniture project presented in one PDF file (A3 format, max 7MB) that includes
    > Technical drawings / sketches (inc top, front, and side views with dimensions: hand sketches and digital drawings both acceptable)
    > 3D renderings (inc perspective views, detail views, in-context visuals)
    > Material and Production Specifications (list of materials, finishes, proposed manufacturing techniques)
  • 20 designers or studios will be selected. Programme participants receive …
    – Mentorship from designers, industry experts, creative leaders
    – Support in product development and prototyping
    – Guidance on pricing, branding, positioning, storytelling
    – Access to makerspaces and fabrication resources (at SPARK)
    – Exposure to buyers, collectors, potential investors
  • Programme concludes with a Final Showcase Day, where participants present their work to a jury of industry professionals and potential collaborators. Cash prizes for top three:
    > 1st Place: AED 60,000
    > 2nd Place: AED 20,000
    > 3rd Place: AED 10,000
  • Programme’s length, details of sessions, attendance requirements and deadline are unspecified. Also unsure where queries can be directed – try a LinkedIn or Instagram message
  • No application fee
  • UAE National or UAE Resident
  • Currently based in the UAE
  • Participation in design and professional development programme
  • Prizes for top three graduates:
    – 1st: AED 60,000
    – 2nd: AED 20,000
    – 3rd: AED 10,000