Abraaj Capital Art Prize (ENG)

Application Deadline for 1 Million USD Abraaj Capital Art Prize Set for Mid-June

Artists and curators from MENASA region vie to create innovative projects for Art Dubai 2009

On the heels of a highly successful Art Dubai 2008, international art curators are submitting applications to work with artists from the emerging art centers of MENASA (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia) to participate in the first annual Abraaj Capital Art Prize competition. The formal application deadline is 15 June 2008.

The Abraaj Capital art prize – offering the world’s largest art competition endowment worth a total of 1 million USD - is designed to create a viable platform for individual artists who are revered in their local communities but lack international critical and commercial exposure. In the first year, three artists will be selected to work alongside international curators to hone their talent, and will have an opportunity to widen their international reputation and network by unveiling their projects at Art Dubai 2009. Displaying their work at the Middle East’s largest modern and contemporary art fair will raise the curtain on their talent, affording finalists a global platform.

The Abraaj Art Prize includes a selection committee comprised of renowned curators, art fair directors, collectors, publishers and designers. The winning artists will create their projects in time for Art Dubai 2009 in March.

Criteria to participate in the Abraaj Capital Art Prize:
Interested applicants must come from an emerging art center, which is defined as any artistic environment in which an individual artist lacks commercial and critical opportunities to further their career.
Curators may come from any nationality and age bracket, and may submit a proposal for collaboration with an artist from an emerging art center.
Curators must submit a biography, curriculum of past exhibitions and three written articles.
Curators must submit a short essay on the work of the artist they are collaborating with in
the competition.

Applications should be submitted at http://www.artdubai.ae
Applications may only be submitted by curators and must be signed by both participants, and must be received no later than 5:00pm on June 15, 2008.

For press enquiries please contact:
Eileen Wallis/Jumana Bississo at The Portsmouth Group PO Box 71765, Dubai, UAE
E: eileen.wallis@theportsmouthgroup.com
jumana.bississo@theportsmouthgroup.com
T: 009 714-3693575