Dubai Festival City Mall, part of Al-Futtaim Malls and DC Aviation Al-Futtaim have partnered to launch the Al-Futtaim Festival of Arts competition which invites emerging artists across the country to express their creativity and transform their innovative ideas into practical reality.
Under the theme ‘Flight into Innovation,’ the inaugural edition of the Al-Futtaim Festival of Arts will be split into four categories – calligraphy, fine art, photography and design with the deadline for entries Tuesday 30 November from participants residing in the UAE aged under 30.
Submissions will be accepted for wall-based art only.
The panel of judges will be led by Patricia Millns, who has a Middle East-based practice centred on women’s studies, identity and cultural significance defined through clothing, adornment and old factory heritage of the region.
Patricia acts as a Creative Industries advisor and mentor. Other judges include Emirati photographer Jassim Al Awadhi, Emirati poet, artist and film director, Nujoom Al-Ghanem, renowned street artist ElSeed, art journalist Aidan Imanova, and a representative from Al-Futtaim.
Judging will take into consideration originality, visual identity, technique, artistic skills and understanding of the overall creative process.
Four winners will be selected, one from each category, who will get the chance to display their work at an Art Gallery in a premium location at Dubai Festival City Mall, as well as an exclusive mentorship with the judges and a business startup programme supported by Al-Futtaim.
The grand prize winner, selected by the judges will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of having an interpretation of their artwork featured on the Dassault Falcon 2000 LXS aircraft owned and operated by DC Aviation.
The aircraft is expected to transport VVIP passengers around the world for six months.
Holger Ostheimer, Managing Director of DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Al-Futtaim Malls for this initiative that will provide a platform for upcoming artists to showcase their work to a wider audience.
“With its transcontinental range, the super-midsize Dassault Falcon 2000 LXS can connect major cities across the globe further exposing the grand prize winners artwork to a global audience.”
Genevieve Colaco, Regional General Manager, Marketing & Customer Experience Al-Futtaim Malls commented: “As a family-owned business and a business deeply rooted in the success of the UAE, the Al-Futtaim Group is proud to support our local emerging talent.
“Through this unique competition, we will deliver to our customers another reason to come and experience our mall, beyond the vast shopping, entertainment and dining options.”