Art competitions are everywhere in Dubai right now, and if you are a creative with work ready to share, this is the moment to raise your hand and apply.
Light up the Burj Khalifa: Emaar’s projection design open call
Emaar has officially reopened its Burj Khalifa Open Call, inviting artists, designers, and creatives from the UAE and around the world to submit their ideas for a new projection on the famous Dubai landmark. This is not a small opportunity. The competition is looking for an original three-minute audio-visual projection that reflects Dubai’s creativity, innovation, and artistic spirit.
Unlike the 2025 edition, which was only open to UAE residents, this call is global, open to entrants both in the UAE and internationally. Participants are invited to submit original videos or animations that reflect Dubai’s creativity, innovation, and vibrant culture, and visuals must be fully original and accompanied by copyright-free music. Entries are judged on creativity, originality, impact, and technical feasibility, and designs generated by artificial intelligence tools are not accepted.
Submissions must be sent to op******@***ar.ae, accompanied by a short concept description explaining the inspiration and story behind the design, and entries will be accepted until Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Move fast on this one.
Sikka 2027: Dubai’s beloved art festival wants your work
Dubai Culture has launched an open call for Sikka 2027, which supports Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy, inviting creatives, artists, designers, photographers, performers, culinary professionals, and retailers specialising in creative and cultural products to take part in the festival. Sikka is one of the most welcoming platforms in the city for both new and experienced artists.
Dubai Culture invites creatives, both individuals and collectives from various art forms to apply, such as visual art, design, new media, photography, public art and installations, ceramics, performing arts, and urban culture. The festival welcomes submissions from music performers, workshop facilitators, panelists for talks and discussions, food market vendors and culinary specialists, as well as design and cultural retailers.
If you have work that reflects the spirit of the community, this festival is your stage. Check the Dubai Culture website directly for the current deadline on the Sikka 2027 open call.
National grant program: funding for UAE culture and creativity
The UAE government offers one of the most important grants in the region for local creatives. The application deadline for the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity has been extended to 1 September 2026, offering creatives and cultural projects more time to apply.
The grants target creative professionals distinguished in the cultural and creative industries, and the eligible fields include books and literature, visual arts and design, film and TV, performing arts and theatre, music, video games, and cultural heritage. There are several grant categories available. These include a Creation and Production Grant of up to 100,000 AED, a Distribution and Local Participations Grant of up to 80,000 AED, and a Capacity Development Grant of up to 50,000 AED.
This program is designed for UAE nationals, so if that describes you, the September 2026 deadline is one you should mark clearly on your calendar.
Expert perspective on art competitions and creative funding
The creative landscape across the Gulf has shifted considerably over the last decade. What we now see is a genuine ecosystem of support: government-backed grants, private sector competitions, and internationally connected festivals all running in parallel. For artists based in Dubai, this means that art competitions are no longer occasional opportunities; they are a consistent feature of the cultural calendar. The smartest move a creative can make is to treat every open call as a portfolio exercise, apply early, keep submissions specific to each brief, and think about how their work speaks to both local identity and global audiences. Funding and visibility are available; the barrier is mostly preparation and awareness.
Industry perspective, creative funding and arts development professionals in the UAE
Dubai Design Week: a platform for designers and creative thinkers
At Dubai Design Week, exhibitions serve as a platform for cultural organisations, educational institutions, collectives, and individual designers to express their unique perspectives, as well as tell compelling stories and showcase innovative design solutions across disciplines.
The programme welcomes work that moves beyond traditional formats, integrating architecture, design, and emerging technologies to address contemporary cultural, social, and environmental conditions. This makes it an ideal entry point for designers who work across several disciplines or who blend art with technology. The open call for exhibitions is one of the most practical ways to gain a professional platform and connect with industry peers in Dubai.
Watch the Dubai Design Week website for the most current submissions deadline, as the annual festival typically takes place in November each year.
Art Here and the Richard Mille Art Prize: a regional competition worth watching
This year marks the sixth edition of the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s contemporary Art Here exhibition, and the museum announced an open call to artists for proposals to participate in the event and to be considered for the Richard Mille Art Prize. The art initiative recognises regional talent and champions the UAE’s vibrant and ever-evolving art and culture scene.
The Richard Mille Art Prize recognises one of the selected artists with a prize of US $60,000 and will be announced in December 2026. Art Here 2026, conceived by guest curator Kamini Sawhney, invites artists to explore Confluences to reflect on intertwined histories, cultures, and migrations, particularly across the Indian Ocean. The theme focuses on how culture acts as a dynamic and ever-evolving exchange that shapes identities, communities, and everyday life.
This year’s open call is extended to India, encouraging nationals to apply alongside GCC artists (nationals and residents). While the 2026 submissions window has closed, Art Here is an annual event. Mark it now and prepare your portfolio for the next cycle.
Start early, apply boldly
Art competitions in Dubai are no longer rare events reserved for established names. They are active, recurring, and genuinely open. Whether you are a painter, a digital designer, a performer, or a photographer, at least one of these 5 opportunities fits your practice. Art competitions reward those who prepare well and submit with confidence. Read each brief carefully, follow the technical requirements, and send your best work. Dubai’s creative community is growing fast, and the doors are open for you to be part of that story.
Discover more about art competitions
- Sikka Art and Design Festival Open Call, Dubai Culture
- August 2026 open calls and opportunities for artists, Sharjah Art Foundation
- Burj Khalifa open call: your art could light up the world’s tallest building, Gulf News
