Dubai Culture Calls For Entries To The 13th Sikka Art & Design Festival

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced the Open-Call for the 13th Sikka Art & Design Festival. This event, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, will take place from 31st January to 9th February 2025 at Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood.

Dubai Culture is inviting Emirati and UAE & GCC-based artists, creatives, and designers to participate in the festival. The event will showcase a variety of works including visual arts, painting, sculpture, photography, design, murals, multimedia, culinary art and more. The festival aims to highlight diverse artistic expressions and support the global art sector's trends.

The Authority will begin accepting applications on 8 August with a deadline of 8 October. A committee of experts and artists will then review submissions and select eligible works for the festival. This initiative falls under the umbrella of the Sikka Platform.

The open call targets both established and emerging artists in the UAE and GCC regions. Participants can work individually or as part of a group. They are required to present unique ideas that reflect their perspectives and the richness of the local art scene. Additionally, they must use environmentally friendly materials in their artworks and ensure that their works are original, recent, and have not been produced for or displayed in other festivals or events before.

Creatives interested in participating can find all necessary details and access the application form by visiting Dubai Culture’s website.

Festival Goals

The Sikka Art & Design Festival aims to provide an innovative platform that brings together various types of arts. It celebrates leading and emerging talent as well as young artists from or residing in the UAE and GCC. This aligns with Dubai's cultural vision to make the emirate a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.

The previous edition of the festival successfully attracted over 162,000 visitors who viewed a collection of works adorning the houses of Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood. Visitors engaged with artistic performances, workshops, and discussion sessions held throughout the 10-day event.

Over 500 Emirati and UAE & GCC-based artists participated in last year's festival. They showcased around 300 different artworks across multiple forms in 14 houses.

The upcoming festival will also feature interactive workshops, musical performances, cinematic shows, talks, and panel discussions. These activities aim to enrich the local cultural movement while supporting global art trends.

This year's event promises to be an engaging experience for both participants and visitors alike.

With inputs from WAM