His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurates Sheikha Manal ‘Young Artist Award' exhibition, celebrating 10th edition of the competition

Exhibition for 100 shortlisted artworks to conclude on November 27, 2016

HH Sheikh Mansoor: “The tireless work of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and The Cultural Office to support and encourage the arts movement in the UAE through various initiatives and projects such as the Sheikha Manal ‘Young Artist Award’ has contributed significantly to the development of the arts and in nurturing home-grown artistic talent throughout the UAE”

HH Sheikh Zayed: “The Sheikha Manal ‘Young Artist Award’ competition has provided significant opportunities to our youth and paved the way for a new creative and artistic generation”

Dubai, 21 November, 2016:  His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the 10th edition of the Sheikha Manal ‘Young Artist Award’ exhibition yesterday evening, founded and organised by The Cultural Office of HH Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Held under the royal patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the Award is an annual cultural event which was first launched in 2006, and aims to encourage, recognise and promote emerging artists from the UAE.

The event was attended by HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the H.H Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian & Scientific Foundation, Dr. Salah Al Qassim, Advisor to Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Saleh Al Geziry, Vice President - Retail Marketing, Promotions and Recreation at Meraas Holding, and Mona Bin Kalli, Director of The Cultural Office of HH Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The event marked the launch of an eight-day exhibition being held at City Walk 2, Dubai, to showcase the 100 shortlisted artworks of the competition. The exhibition is now open to the public until November 27th.

During the opening, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum toured the exhibition, and discussed the various artworks with the featured shortlisted artists. His Highness was accompanied by representatives of The Cultural Office of HH Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, members of the Sheikha Manal ‘Young Artist Award’ judging panel, representatives of the local and international art community and members of the media.

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said: “I was very impressed with the quality of the artworks and variety of creative techniques presented by so many talented young artists from across the UAE, which highlights how much progress, under the guidance of our wise leadership, has been made in the development of the arts and in nurturing home-grown artistic talent throughout the country in recent years. The tireless work of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and The Cultural Office to support and encourage the arts movement in the UAE through various cultural initiatives and projects such as the Sheikha Manal ‘Young Artist Award’ has contributed significantly to this progress. Over the past 10 years, the Sheikha Manal ‘Young Artist Award’ has evolved to become one of the foremost arts competitions within the region. It was my privilege to open this milestone edition of the exhibition and meet with some of the UAE’s most creative talents.”

HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the H.H Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian & Scientific Foundation, said: “The Sheikha Manal ‘Young Artist Award’ competition has provided significant opportunities to our youth and paved the way for a new creative and artistic generation. It has become one of the region’s most recognised art awards, through the tremendous dedication and efforts of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and The Cultural Office.”

The Sheikha Manal ‘Young Artist Award’ competition is divided into five main categories: Fine Art, Photography, Multimedia, Design and Architecture, which is a newly launched category, and participants were able to enter group submissions for the first time this year. Members of the public can vote for their favourite artwork at the exhibition for the ‘People’s Choice’ award by visiting www.youngartistaward.ae, and submit their moments from the exhibition to Instagram as part of the #ClickYAA social media photography competition. The ‘People’s Choice’ competition winner will be awarded a prize of AED 12,000, whilst the #ClickYAA winner, runner-up and second runner-up will receive AED 10,000, AED 5,000 and AED 3,000, respectively. 

Throughout the exhibition, the 100 shortlisted artworks will be judged by a range of art influencers from prominent organisations and institutions within the region and beyond, including Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, Founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation, Hamad Khoory, architect and partner at the Loci Architecture & Design Studio, Venetia Porter, Assistant Keeper (Curator) - Islamic and contemporary Middle East at the British Museum in London, Ali bin Thalith, Secretary General of the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA), Mohammed Saeed Harib, Founder of Lammtara Art Production and Cyril Zammit, Fair Director of Design Days Dubai. 

The competition winners will be announced at a gala dinner on December 4th.

The Sheikha Manal ‘Young Artist Award’ is open to all UAE residents, young artists and students between the ages of 18-30 years old. The award prizes include AED 50,000 for first place, AED 30,000 for second place and AED 20,000 for third place.