The UAE, in cooperation with the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), will host the fourth edition of the GCC Visual Arts Forum from December 20 to 25, 2022. The forum will host a selection of Gulf artists from various branches of visual arts at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi and will be accompanied by an art exhibition, which will run until December 30.
The forum seeks to promote the creativity of GCC artists in line with the GCC Cultural Strategy 2020-2030 launched under the directives of the heads of states and the Ministers of Culture of the GCC countries. The programme for the event also includes a series of technical workshops, cultural tours, as well as networking activities to facilitate greater exchange of knowledge and experience among the participants.
The exhibition which is also inspired by the event’s slogan “You and I, what and when?” will be a platform to elevate the status of the arts and support the artists’ cultural vision. The art exhibition will honour the best three participating works in four categories namely: “Visual Arts”, “Traditional Arabic Calligraphy”, “Arabic Calligraphy Letters”, and “Photography”.
In a statement, Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said:
The UAE attaches great importance to investing in artistic energies and creations. Art projects are important for our mental wellbeing and are fundamental to the progress and growth of civilizations and human beings. Such art projects contribute to creating a fertile and conducive environment for more creations. This forum is an opportunity to take a closer look at the creativity of Gulf artists. It is a promising platform for networking, learning from each other’s experiences and developing new techniques to advance art in the region.
Her Excellency continued: We have developed an integrated strategy to implement a series of cultural programmes aimed at promoting the cultural seasons in the GCC countries. These will help maintain continuity, while also supporting efforts that serve to revive the folklore of our region and introduce it to the world as an integral part of our Arab identity. We give great value to the effort that goes into the creation of art and offer support for artists and creators to access global platforms. Showcasing their works would open new avenues and unleash opportunities for them to hone their craft.”
The art exhibition hosts a variety of works of participating artists which will be judged by a committee of specialists within a specific theme chosen by the organising country. Based on a set of criteria, three works will be selected for the gold, silver and bronze awards.
To participate in the exhibition, please refer to the official website of the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth https://mcy.gov.ae and send your entries via email to gcc_forum@mcy.gov.ae. The deadline for submitting artworks for the exhibition is November 21. Each participant is allowed to submit only one artwork and uploaded it in PDF format.
The winners will receive prize money and all participants will be given certificates of appreciation for their participation in the event.
