O M I C
Open Call
Call for Artists — Shared Ground. OMIC Art Prize 2026. Apply now, deadline 20 October 2026.

OMIC Art Prize 2026

Theme: Shared Ground

Shared Ground explores the UAE as a space shaped by exchange between people, cultures, experiences, and perspectives. The competition invites artists to reflect on what we bring to the place we call home, what we receive from it, and how these exchanges shape both the individual and the shared environment.

Awards

Total prize pool

AED 15,000

1st prize

AED 10,000 + OMIC Art Emblem

2nd prize

AED 3,000

3rd prize

AED 2,000

Things to Note

All eligible submissions will be reviewed by the jury. Selected artworks will be shortlisted for exhibition at OMIC and consideration for the OMIC Art Prize.

Submission Guidelines

Eligibility

  • Open to artists aged 18 and above.
  • Applicants must be residents of the UAE.
  • Artists of any nationality are welcome to apply.

Eligible Media

  • Painting
  • Sculpture
  • Installation

Artwork Requirements

  • Each artist may submit one artwork only.
  • The artwork must be an original work created by the applicant.
  • The artwork must not have been previously exhibited publicly.
  • The artwork must not have previously won an award in another art competition.
  • Selected artworks must be available for exhibition at OMIC.
  • There is no size limitation.

Deadline

  • 20 October 2026

Jury Members

  • Patricia Millns FRSA

    Patricia Millns FRSA

    British artist, arts advisor, and mentor based in the Middle East for over 38 years. Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts; work held in the British Museum and British Council collections.

  • Jalal Luqman

    Jalal Luqman

    Emirati multidisciplinary artist and author, active since the 1980s. Introduced digital art to the UAE in 1996; work shown in New York, Tokyo, Beijing, London, and beyond.

  • Manish Mundra

    Manish Mundra

    Indian multi-disciplinary artist, filmmaker, and founder of OMIC. Producer of award-winning films including Newton, with a practice spanning photography, painting, and poetry.

  • Khalil Abdulwahid

    Khalil Abdulwahid

    Contemporary Emirati visual artist spanning painting, video art, and mixed media, trained under the late Hassan Sharif. Also featured in the Video + Art Talk panel.

  • Robin Corcos

    Robin Corcos

    French gallerist and co-founder of Hestia Gallery in Dubai, bringing over 15 years of European art and design expertise to contemporary decorative arts and collectible works.