Calling all artists eager to showcase their creative works! The Emerging Artist Prize is now accepting submissions from talents worldwide.
The long-standing collaboration with World Art Dubai, organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), has grown to become an important event for up-and-coming talent, attracting thousands of entries every year, and on this edition it promises to be just as exciting.
The shortlisted artworks will be displayed at the Rove Hotels’ Emerging Artist Prize stand at the event. The 12th edition of the MENA region’s largest and most accessible art fair takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 23-26 April 2026 and will bring together 10,000+ artworks from 400+ solo artists and galleries from 65+ countries worldwide, from emerging artists to established talent.
How to Enter The Emerging Artist Prize
The competition is divided into three rounds:
1. Submission Stage:
Dates: Before 31st March 2026
Theme: Threads of Connection
This theme encourages artists to explore human connection in the digital age, how relationships, communication, and empathy evolve as technology intertwines with daily life.
Using the form below, artists can submit their artworks to the competition. Additional details below:
- Accepted Media: Digital art: Images, illustrations, animations and 3D digital art.
- Minimum artwork resolution: 1000×1000
- Digital submission file. Accepted formats: JPEG, GIF, PNG and MP4.
The prize is open to artists from all over the world.
2. Final Shortlist:
Dates: Shortlist will be announced by 13th April 2026
Number of artworks: A maximum of 10 pieces will be shortlisted
All shortlisted artworks will be featured at Rove Hotels’ Emerging Artist Prize in World Art Dubai.
Two winners will be selected out of these pieces, a Grand Winner and a People’s Choice Winner.
3. Exhibition At World Art Dubai
All 10 shortlisted artworks will be exhibited at World Art Dubai between 23rd to 26th of April 2026.
Prizes:
- Grand Prize: The grand winner, selected by the judges, will be awarded complimentary space to exhibit their artworks at World Art Dubai 2027 and a one-night stay at Rove Hotels.
- People’s Choice Award: The winner of this category is chosen by the public and will receive a monetary cash value of AED 5,000 and a one-night stay at Rove Hotels.
Competition Timeline:
- Now to 31st March – Artwork Submission
- 1st April to 13th April – Judges deliberation time
- 15th April – All shortlisted artworks will be announced.
- 23rd to 26th April – Shortlisted artworks will be exhibited at World Art Dubai. Winners will be declared.
The judging panel:
- Rove Hotels Design Team
- Petra Kaltenbach – World Art Dubai Art Advisor
- Samar Kamel – World Art Dubai Curator