📖 **Introduction**

 **To mark the** _40th anniversary of diplomatic relations_ between **China and the United Arab Emirates**, the **AFD Art Awards — The Art Fund Dubai Awards** has been officially launched.

Jointly initiated by the **Dubai Department of Culture** and the **Chinese Embassy in the UAE**, with strategic co-sponsorship from **ADQ** and **BMW Group**, the award champions _innovative practices by Chinese contemporary artists_ through a cross-cultural platform rooted in _government, international curation, and commerce_.

🤝 **Sponsorship & Partnerships**

**1\. Main Organizers**

* **Art Fund Dubai**
* **Dubai Culture**
* **Chinese Embassy in the UAE**

**2\. Co-Sponsors & Institutional Partners**

* _Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ)_
* _Dubai Royal Cultural Affairs Office_
* _Belt and Road Cultural Development Fund_
* _China International Cultural Exchange Foundation_
* **BMW Group** (_Special Sponsor_)
* **UNESCO**
* **UNICEF**

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🧮 **Judging Panel**

**1\. Oversight & Structure**

 **The jury is overseen by the** _Chinese Embassy in the UAE_ and composed of **11 international cultural leaders**, ensuring diversity, credibility, and excellence.

**2\. Key Jury Members**

* **Director, Dubai Culture**
* **Council Member, Artist Association Hong Kong**
* **President & Director, Sharjah Art Foundation**
* **Curator, Venice Biennale**
* **Director, Kunsthalle Basel**
* **Arts Advisor, Louvre Abu Dhabi**

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🏆 **Award Categories**

**1\. Artist Awards**

* **Future Pioneer Award** (_Emerging Artists_)
* _For rising talents reshaping contemporary art through bold experimentation._
* **China–Arab Star Award** (_Established Artists_)
* _For mid-career artists demonstrating artistic excellence and global engagement._
* **Hall of Glory Award** (_Iconic Artists_)
* _For legendary figures whose careers have left a lasting mark on global art history._

**2\. Cross-Industry Recognition**

* **Curators** – _Visionaries driving curatorial innovation and audience experience._
* **Galleries & Institutions** – _Spaces promoting inclusivity and forward-thinking exhibitions._
* **Patrons** – _Collectors and funders empowering artistic progress._
* **Cross-Disciplinary Creators** – _Artists working across fashion, film, architecture, and more._
* **Media & Storytellers** – _Voices shaping discourse through criticism, publishing, or digital media._

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✍️ **Nomination & Selection Process**

**1\. Phase One – Application Submission**

 **Apply via: www.artfunddubai.com**

 **Or email:** _awards@artfunddubai.com / amnashamsi@artfunddubai.com_

**2\. Phase Two – Jury Review**

 **Evaluated based on:**

* _Artistic Vision & Positioning_
* _Audience Engagement_
* _Technical Skill & Execution_
* _Impact & Visibility_
* **100 awardees** will be selected on a _rolling basis_.
* Winners will be announced in **July 2025**.
* A special exhibition and awards ceremony will follow at the **Al Shindagha Museum**, Dubai.

**3\. Phase Three – Final Awards**

* Finalists will undergo _public and jury voting_.
* **12 Gold Award winners** will be announced in **December 2025**.

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💡 **Submission Instructions**

**1\. Accepted Artwork Categories**

* _Painting_
* _Installation_
* _Video_
* _Photography_
* _Multimedia_
* _Graphic Design_

**2\. Required Application Materials**

* **Personal Documents:** CV, Artist Statement or Biography
* **Portfolio Details:** Title, concept, year, dimensions, materials, high-resolution images or video links, and valuation (if available)
* **Personal Info:** Recent photo, contact information, and (if available) links to personal website or social media

🌍 **Global Resources**

**1\. Solo & Special Exhibitions**

* _Solo exhibition at_ **Art Dubai** (_main section_)
* _Solo exhibition at_ **Abu Dhabi Art**
* _Special exhibition at_ **Louvre Abu Dhabi**
* _Special exhibition at_ **Sinyagda Museum**, Dubai

**2\. International Commissions**

* _Curatorial commission for the_ **61st Venice Biennale**
* _Commissioned project at_ **Art Basel**, supported by **ADQ** & **BMW Group**

**3\. Creation & Innovation Funding**

* **$100,000 creation fund**, provided by the _AFD Global Art Fund_
* _Co-sponsorship through_ **BMW Group’s “Art & Technology Lab”**

**4\. Institutional & Network Support**

* _Touring and public program support via_ **ADQ Global Art Fund**
* _Inclusion in international digital showcases through_ **Dubai Design District (d3)**

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📺 **Media & Publicity Resources**

**1\. Spotlight Features During Major Art Events**

* _Annual Spotlight Artist_ nomination during **Dubai Art Week** and **Atlantis Art Festival**
* _Priority for interviews, press features, and curated exhibitions_

**2\. Strategic Media Partnerships**

* **ArtReview Asia – Middle East Edition**
* _High-end visuals and video features targeting Gulf-region collectors_
* **ArtReview Power 100**
* _Automatic nomination for the annual list_
* _Opportunities for exclusive interviews and editorial coverage_
* **The National – Gulf Times (UAE)**
* _Bilingual (Arabic/English) coverage_
* _Priority placement at high-profile regional events_
* **Artforum (USA)**
* _Feature in the_ **Global Emerging Artists Index**
* _Participation in virtual exhibitions and roundtables via_ _Artforum.com_
* **Chinese Media Syndication**
* _Broad exposure via_ **CHINADAILY**, _Sina, Tencent, SOHO, JiluChina, Netease, ELLE, VOGUE, BAZAAR, People’s Daily_\*, _and others_

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🎯 **Long-Term Development**

**1\. China–Arab Artist Residency Program**

* _Annual selection of_ **100 Chinese artists** _for Dubai-based residencies_
* _Emphasizing community engagement, institutional exchange, and industry integration_

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👏 **Charity Auction**

**1\. Partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi**

* _Special charity auction of donated works by participating artists_
* _Portion of proceeds to benefit_ **UN Women** _and_ **UNICEF**, _supporting global women’s and children’s programs_

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