Dubai Festival City Mall, part of Al-Futtaim Malls, and DC Aviation Al-Futtaim have announed a partnership with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture)to support the Al-Futtaim Festival of Arts competition. Held under the theme ‘Flight into Innovation,’ the competition invites emerging artists across the country to turn their creative ideas into practical reality.
Dubai Culture will support the event by promoting it across its social channels to help expand the reach to a wider network of emerging artists.
UAE residents have until15 December to submit their wall-based artworks. The sky is the limit for this inaugural edition of the Al-Futtaim Festival of Arts, which will be split into four categories, comprising calligraphy, fine art, photography and design.
The festival’s panel of judges will be led by Patricia Millns, a creative industries advisor and mentor as well as an elected Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts London, IAPA,and UNESCO. Millns’ Middle East-based practice centres on women’s studies, identity and cultural significance, defined through clothing, adornment and the olfactory heritage of the region. She has represented the UK in the United Nations (UN), at Women of the World organisations, as well as at the Sharjah and Cairo Biennials.
Other judges include Emirati photographer Jassim Al Awadhi,;Emirati poet, artist and film directorNujoom Al-Ghanem; renowned street artist ElSeed; art journalist Aidan Imanova; and a representative from Al-Futtaim. Criteria will take into consideration originality, visual identity, technique, artistic skills and an understanding of the overall creative process.
Four winners will be selected for each category, who will have the opportunity to showcase their works at a strategically located, premium art gallery in Dubai Festival City Mall. The winners will also take part in an exclusive mentorship experience with the judges as well as in a business start-up programme supported by Al-Futtaim. One lucky contender will be selected to have their artwork featured on the DC Aviation-owned and operated Dassault Falcon 2000 LXS aircraft, which is expected to transport VVIP passengers around the world for six months.
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication Department at Dubai Culture, said: “We are delighted to partner with Al-Futtaim for the Festival of Arts competition, an initiative which emphasises the importance of the arts as a key pillar of UAE culture. This partnership reaffirms our commitment to supporting ingenuity as a drive for the cultural and creative industries, enabling a sustainable and prosperous ecosystem which supports Dubai’s economic growth and strengthens the emirate’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.”
Genevieve Colaco, Regional General Manager, Marketing & Customer Experience at Al-Futtaim Malls commented: “Al-Futtaim Group is a family-owned business, deeply rooted in the success of the UAE, and that is why we were keen on showcasing the nation’s rich artistic talent. We appreciate local art and have deliberately kept the criteria for entry wide enough to attract as many entrants as possible. We look forward to giving visitors another reason to come and experience our mall.”
Holger Ostheimer, Managing Director of DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, said: “We are excited to see how the winners of the Al-Futtaim Arts Festival will capture and express the spirit of aviation for all to see. Our partnership with Al-Futtaim will offer upcoming artists a platform with real vibrancy and breadth, granting endless possibilities for inspiration and exposure on a greater scale than ever before.”
