DUBAI, 24th May, 2016 (WAM) -- Representatives of The Cultural Office of H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum are encouraging students in the UAE to take part in this year’s Sheikha Manal ‘Young Artist Award’ competition, as part of a roadshow celebrating the 10th anniversary of the creative and visual arts competition.
The Cultural Office has already visited the American University of Sharjah, the University of Sharjah, the Canadian University Dubai and Zayed University, with plans in place to engage with students at additional universities across the UAE in coming months. During the sessions, representatives of the Cultural Office of H.H. Sheikha Manal provided insights into the competition and participated in a Q&A session with students to answer any enquiries they had.
The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award was first launched in 2006, and aims to encourage, recognise and promote emerging artists from the UAE. The competition is divided into four main categories: Fine Art, Photography, Multimedia and Design. This year, group submissions can also be entered into the competition, with artworks created and designed by two or more people, with a maximum of four artists.
This year’s competition will also feature a ‘People’s Choice’ as well as ‘Social Media’ recognition award. The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award is open to all UAE residents, young artists and students between the ages of 18-30 years old.
Mona Bin Kalli, Director of The Cultural Office of H.H. Sheikha Manal, said, "In its 10th edition, this year’s Sheikha Manal ‘Young Artist Award’ is set to be a very special one, culminating in a week-long exhibition featuring 100 shortlisted artworks, up from 50 in previous editions. The award has always been very popular amongst university students and this set of roadshows provided us with a unique opportunity to engage directly with talented young artists, encouraging them to put their work forward and be recognised. H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is one of the foremost patrons of the arts in the UAE and this initiative is an important part of her ongoing efforts to support upcoming artists and encourage their contribution to the continued growth of a thriving arts community in the UAE."
The exhibition of 100 shortlisted artworks will take place in November, in City Walk 2; the winners will be selected by a distinguished judge’s panel comprised of prominent figures from organisations and institutions within the UAE, who play a critical role in the encouragement and promotion of art. The awards ceremony will take place in December 2016. The award prizes include AED 50,000 for first place, AED 30,000 for second place and AED 20,000 for third place.
WAM/Hazem/AAMIR