The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award
Under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan. Presented in partnership with New York University Abu Dhabi and produced in collaboration with The NYUAD Art Gallery.
Established to nurture artistic talent in the UAE, the award supports the creation of temporary large-scale artworks that can be publicly exhibited and enjoyed, in the spirit of the renowned artist duo Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
Celebrating the legacy Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the award inspires artists in the UAE to push the boundaries of their creativity and produce impactful, publicly accessible works of art.
ADMAF’s partnership with The NYUAD Art Gallery underscores a shared commitment to arts and cultural development in the UAE. Dedicated to fostering creativity and innovation within the local art scene, The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award serves as a platform for emerging artists in the UAE to showcase their talent and contribute to the region's cultural landscape.
The call for applications welcomes proposals for artwork in various forms, including photography, film, land art, sculpture, painting, illustration, and multimedia. It also provides flexibility in choosing exhibition spaces, accommodating works designed for either indoor or outdoor display.
Award Prize
USD 10,000
Deadline
01 Submission Deadline: 31-January-2024
Guidelines and materials
Eligibility
Entrants must be UAE residents who have graduated from a university or college within the last five years or full-time degree students enrolled at a UAE university or college.
All applicants must apply for the Award with the support and nomination of a mentor (from within or outside of the university system).
Conditions
1 – You will need a mentor. By nominating you, they commit to working with you throughout the production and installation of your work, to guide and support you. They can be a practicing artist, a current or past professor, a client, a gallerist – anyone whom you would like to work with. It is an important relationship and one that will help you to realise your work.
2 – When filling in the online application form your answers don’t have to be long, but they need to be focused and honest. If you foresee challenges in the creation of your work, for example, tell us what they are and how you may need help in overcoming them.
3 – Do your research: if you are thinking about what your artwork production might cost, ring potential suppliers and ask them to quote. A budget doesn’t have to be definitive at the beginning, and it will be a work in progress, but it’s helpful to start somewhere.
4 – Think big, think small BUT think practical:
Is your work DURABLE? If the work is exhibited outside it will need to withstand all of the elements: wind, rain, sun.
Can you produce your project for $10,000 USD [approx. AED 36,730]?
Can you DELIVER your artwork on time? Can you manage the challenges of making art AND juggling your other commitments?
Do you have a PLACE to work?
Is your work SAFE to exhibit in a public space?
5 – Do you want to work as a TEAM or on your own? If you have an idea between you and think that it would be good to work together, go for it [maximum of three entrants per application].
6 – Think OUTSIDE OF THE BOX. Previous winners of the Award may provide inspiration, but the Selection Committee will always be looking for innovation and something ORIGINAL.
7 – ENJOY the experience and have fun. This is a tremendous opportunity to create art and work with arts professionals.
Required Forms
In order to submit your application, please download the following files:
Do you have any questions?
Previous Winners
URBAN FABRIC, 2022
Artists: Roudhah Al Mazrouei, Gerald Jason Cruz, and Jennifer Tsai. New York University Abu Dhabi students Roudhah Al Mazrouei, Gerald Jason Cruz and Jennifer Tsai formed a collective to combine their shared expertise in civil engineering, architecture and visual arts to create a unique and intricate work of design.
COCOON, 2021
Artists: Nour Elbery, Marawan Mahmoud, and Rashid Modibbo. Marawan Mahmoud, Nour Elbery and Rashid Modibbo are architecture graduates of the American University of Sharjah. The trio met in 2017 during their freshman year of college and became good friends, sharing interests and diatomic ideas regarding art, philosophy, and architecture
HAWEIA, 2020
Artists: Sara Mohamed, Laura AlDhahi and Sahil Rattha. A trio of architecture students from the American University of Sharjah (AUS): Sara Mohamed from Egypt, Laura AlDhahi from Kuwait and Sahil Rattha Singh from India, are the winners of the eighth edition of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2020.
