Layan Damanhouri

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Art Jameel’s annual Photography Award is expanding this year to cover nationals and residents across all Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The deadline to submit entries is Oct. 31.



Dalia Mousa, Art Jameel program manager, told Saudi Gazette: “Each year we are expanding in order to target as many creative photographers in the region” as possible.



The theme of this year’s competition is "Transition", reflecting today’s changing society.



Participants are required to produce either a single photograph or a series of photographs that capture transitions from social, conceptual, cultural, economic, personal, or technical perspectives.



Moussa said candidates could submit photographs that capture transitions that occur in everyday life or in any field of their choice.



There will be an educational aspect to the program. Entrants will be invited to workshops led by internationally renowned photographers and experts held in Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE and Kuwait between August and November.



The winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony in December, where they will receive cash prizes, accommodations and invitations to participate in Art Jameel’s activities in Saudi Arabia and abroad. The prize-winning work will be promoted regionally and internationally.



The minimum age for entering the competition is 18 years. The work must be original and should not have been submitted to previous competitions.



The competition has received wide support by arts and cultural organizations across the Gulf in the past six years.



This year, the AJPA’s photography partners are Nuqat, Kuwait; Maraya Center, East Wing, UAE, and MuscArt, Oman. The competition is also supported by its cultural partner, the Saudi Arabian Society of Culture and Arts (SASCA).



Art Jameel is one of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives (ALJCI) which fosters contemporary art and creative entrepreneurship in the MENA region.