Under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Dubai Future Foundation and Dubai Culture Announce the Launch of Emirati Futurism Award
Competition aims to blend Emirati culture with high technology to create new design styles & unique innovations of the future for the UAE
Dubai-UAE: 9th January, 2021 – The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has partnered with the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) to launch the nationwide Emirati Futurism Award. Running under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, and member of Dubai Council. The competition seeks to combine authentic Emirati culture with futuristic technologies to re-imagine what the future of the UAE might look like, encouraging the creation of a new Emirati design style and supporting a new generation of designers.
The UAE boasts a rich traditional culture; however, the images of its future are often shaped by the international media. The goal of the Emirati Futurism Award is to stimulate public imagination and create a new representation of what the future holds for the country with keeping its cultural values and traditions.
The competition comprises seven categories: Architecture and Urbanism, Fashion and Jewelry, Product and Industrial Design, Photography and Graphic Design, Film and Animation, Music and Performing Arts, and Fine Arts.
Aimed at shifting mindsets and challenging the common futuristic aesthetic, the Emirati Futurism Award invites the boldest creative minds and thinkers to share their interpretation of an authentic Emirati future. The competition explores the developing intersection of Emirati culture with high technology through imagining and co-creating a new future, and increasing awareness of the UAE’s culture and heritage.
HE. Khalfan Belhoul, CEO at DFF affirmed that the launch of the "Emirati Futurism Award" in partnership with "Dubai Culture" comes in line with the joint efforts of both entities in realizing the vision of our leadership and their directives on the importance on having foresight, anticipate trends and the opportunities arising from them, and preparing for the various changes taking place in all industries, which affects the lives of community members, enhances the quality of their lives, and contributes to strengthening the position of Dubai and the UAE as a pioneer in designing the future.
He added: "We will continue to work with our partners from the government and private sectors to accelerate the adoption of innovation and digital transformation and create a positive shift in the arts and culture sector while preserving the distinctive features of our values and culture throughout our journey towards future leadership, embodying the saying of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and ruler of Dubai in which he affirmed that "The UAE is betting on a person, his mind, his imagination, and a will that does not know the impossible”
Commenting on this announcement, Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: “We are proud to partner with Dubai Future Foundation in launching the ‘Emirati Futurism Prize’ as part of a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at ensuring a brighter future that emphasises Emirati culture through technology transformation. This award reaffirms our commitment to supporting an infrastructure that would stimulate cultural and creative industries, enabling a sustainable and prosperous ecosystem that supports Dubai’s economic growth and strengthens the emirate’s position as a global centre for art and culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.”
She added: “In line with our updated strategic roadmap and the vision of the Dubai government to preserve local heritage while stimulating the economic growth of the emirate and supporting the UAE government’s vision aimed at developing a knowledge-based society, we are seeking with this award to create an innovative challenge for participants and inspire them to highlight the UAE’s contributions to civilisation.”
Awards up for Grabs
The winner of each category will walk away with cash prizes, in addition, the seven winners and seven runners-up will receive internship opportunities with various organizations. The competition also includes an Honorable Mention and People’s Choice Award.
Among other incentives are hot desks at AREA 2071, an innovation ecosystem that nurtures and supports talent, creative minds, startups and entrepreneurs, as well as exhibition and retail opportunities at the iconic Museum of the Future.
The Emirati Futurism Award is open to all citizens and residents of the UAE. Interested participants can apply at https://www.dubaifuture.ae/emirati-futurism-award/. Registration closes on [Insert date], and the deadline for submissions is [Insert date].