Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts, heritage and literature, announces an open call to all emerging Emirati, UAE-based and GCC artists for the ninth edition of SIKKA Art Fair. Applications will be accepted until 27^th September 2018.

Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Office at Dubai Culture, SIKKA Art Fair returns to Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood 16^th—24^th March, 2019 as a headline event of Dubai Art Season, a two-month city-wide celebration of arts, culture and creativity in the Emirate, taking place across March and April every year.

SIKKA, a contemporary, artist-led fair set in the heart of Old Dubai, is one of the region’s most anticipated platforms for young talents offering a unique celebration of visual and performing arts, music, and film, along with home-grown food vendors, a vibrant programme of free adult and children’s workshops and an array of activities for the whole family. The 2019 edition will focus on the activation of the neighbourhood’s charming alleys, and outdoor courtyards and spaces, calling on applicants to submit original proposals, and concepts for site-specific art installations.

Walid Moosa Ahmed, Project Manager of Dubai Art Season and SIKKA Art Fair at Dubai Culture, commented: “SIKKA Art Fair has become a regional destination for creativity throughout the year, attracting young artists and art enthusiasts from all over the region to celebrate creative talents. This event represents a major part of our efforts to achieve our vision of establishing Dubai as a creative and sustainable global city for culture, heritage, arts and literature, and our mission to nurture and support local talent. We are confident that the upcoming edition of the fair will continue this successful journey, and we look forward to receiving entries for 2019, and discovering the outstanding talent that continues to flourish and develop in our region, reaching out to the world.”

The latest 2018 edition featured the work of more than 60 entries and saw record-breaking numbers, attracting over 200 submissions, and over 45,000 visitors over 10 days, with more than 1,500 people participating in over 50 workshops. Furthermore, SIKKA 2018 hosted a ‘Creative Economy Youth Circle’ for the first time ever, in partnership with the Emirate’s Youth Council which was attended by over 30 young Emirates and several leading figures from the culture and arts sector.

SIKKA Art Fair complements the city-wide activation of cultural events that will take place during Dubai Art Season, which runs throughout March and April every year. The season’s flagship events include Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Art Dubai, DIFC Art Nights, Al Serkal Avenue Galleries Night, and Middle East Film & Comic Con, alongside an array of creative events and activities.

To register to SIKKA Art Fair 2019, visit www.dubaiculture.gov.ae  http://dubaiculture.gov.ae/ar/pages/sikka-form.aspx