OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITIES

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

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

Eid Al Etihad 55 (National Day 2026) Commemorative Stamp Design 🔗

GRAPHIC DESIGN
DEADLINE 7 October 2026

Design a commemorative stamp for the UAE’s 55th Eid Al Etihad. Cash prizes totalling AED 20,000

  • Organised by Design Commission Abu Dhabi (DCAD) and Emirates Post, pitched at “artists, designers, illustrators, students and creatives from across the UAE”
  • Create a design that embodies “the spirit of the UAE at 55, its people, heritage, culture, achievements and aspirations for the future … participants are encouraged to interpret the UAE’s story through their own creative perspective”
  • All designs must …
    – comply with the UAE brand identity principles, protocols etc (downloadable guidelines here)
    – include the official “55” logo and Eid Al Etihad logo
    – be original artwork created by the entrant (“designs must not be AI-generated, copied, traced, or substantially based on existing artwork. AI-generated or substantially AI-created submissions will be disqualified”)
  • Submit up to two design options with a description of the creative concept via online form. Max size for attachments: 100Mb (no other obvious restrictions on file formats etc)
  • Timeline:
    – Submission deadline 7 October 2026
    – Jury evaluation October 2026
    – Winning design announced 3 November 2026
    – Official stamp launch 2 December 2026 (UAE National Day)
  • Winners get certificates of appreciation and trophies, plus:
    – 1st AED 10,000
    – 2nd AED 7,000
    – 3rd AED 3,000
  • Winning design becomes the exclusive intellectual property of Emirates Post
  • No entrance fee
  • Emirati national or UAE resident
  • Three winners get certificates, trophies and cash
  • Ist Prize: AED 10,000
    2nd Prize: AED 7,000
    3rd Prize: AED 3,000
  • At least one winner (possibly all three? No info on this) will have their design on a stamp

Stories of Wulfa 🔗

ANIMATION
DEADLINE 15 October 2026

Propose an animated series of 15 x 20-min episodes inspired by Emirati culture and values. One winning project will receive AED 2m for development and production

  • Dubai Culture aims to produce an animated series of 15 episodes, each approx 20 mins long
  • Competition forms part of the ‘Season of Wulfa,’ which celebrates Emirati social and cultural occasions while strengthening family and community bonds
  • Proposals should …
    – present innovative concepts
    – be suitable for broad audiences
    – demonstrate a clear connection to Emirati culture, inc its richness and diversity
    – embody the spirit of ‘Wulfa,’ reflecting the values of belonging and family connection
    – present a cohesive creative vision, clear storytelling approach, evolving characters, and a distinctive visual identity
    – have potential to reach local and international audiences
  • Concepts may (probably “should”) draw from everyday life, family relationships, hospitality traditions, Hag Al Laila, Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, majlis culture and community gatherings, local heritage, folklore, oral storytelling traditions, traditional games, historical figures, stories that blend technology and tradition, “other themes inspired by Emirati culture”
  • Proposals should include …
    – series concept and key themes, creative vision, educational and cultural value, target audience(s), the storytelling approach and character development, potential for future expansion
    ­– synopses for all episodes
    – a complete script for the first episode
    – production proposal outlining animation methodology, production approach, team structure, relevant experience, proposed timeline
    – a visual development package featuring character artwork, environment concepts, moodboards, storyboards
    – samples demonstrating the applicant’s animation skills (preferably as YouTube or Vimeo links: submitted videos should be in 1080 × 1920 HD format with frame rate 24 or 30 fps)
  • Animation can be 2D, 3D, or hybrid – “provided it can be executed in accordance with professional television production standards”
  • Selection criteria include …
    – storytelling quality
    – cultural authenticity and originality
    – visual direction and character development
    – relevance to Emirati culture
    – production readiness
    – broadcast potential
  • No application fee
  • None stated, though animation skills are obviously required
  • The winning project will receive AED 2m to support its development and production
  • It will presumably be marketed for broadcast locally and regionally

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

ART
DEADLINE 16 October 2026

Apply to intern onsite for a month at the Biennale Architecture 2027 (Venice, slots available May 2026 to 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 to 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
  • Travel to Venice
  • Gain experience of managing an exhibition stand and dealing with visitors, press etc
  • Gain knowledge and experience of the world’s largest non-commercial art show