Art Jameel, an initiative of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives (ALJCI) is pleased to announce the launch of the 6th annual Art Jameel Photography Award (AJPA). The award seeks to discover talented photographers and help them develop their skills and exhibit exceptional photography. For the first time, this year’s competition is open to nationals and residents across the GCC, having previously been open to only those residents in Saudi Arabia.

The competition has received wide support by arts and cultural organisations across the Gulf. This year, the AJPA’s photography partners are Nuqat, Kuwait; Maraya Centre, East Wing, UAE and MuscArt, Oman. The competition is also supported by its cultural partner – the Saudi Arabian Society of Culture and Arts (SASCA).

The theme of the competition this year is ‘Transitions’, reflecting today’s changing society. Male and female entrants of 18 years and above are required to produce a single photograph, or series of photographs that capture transitions from social, conceptual, cultural, economic, personal or even technical perspectives.

Photographers from different fields are encouraged to enter. In 2013 the competition was opened to residents of all nationalities living in Saudi Arabia and this year is accepting submissions from across the GCC countries.

As part of the award, entrants will be invited to workshops led by experienced and internationally known photographers and experts held in Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE and Kuwait between August and November 2015. The winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony in December 2015. Winners will receive cash prizes, the opportunity for residency and the chance to participate in Art Jameel’s activities in Saudi Arabia and abroad. Winning work will be promoted online and in print, both regionally and internationally.

Dalya Mousa, Art Jameel Programme Manager, said: “This year we are expanding the competition to include artistic talent from the entire Gulf region, which marks a really exciting expansion of the Art Jameel Photography Award and recognises the abundance of talent we have in our region. The competition offers the opportunity for these talents to receive training from some of the best in the field and to have their work exhibited professionally.”

Applications opened on 1st July and will close on 31st October 2015. Submissions can be made via the competition website – www.ajpa.artjameel.org. The competition is open to women and men of 18 years and above.

Note to Editors:

About Art Jameel:

Art Jameel, one of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives (ALJCI), fosters and promotes contemporary art and creative entrepreneurship across the MENAT region. In partnership with arts organizations worldwide, Art Jameel is developing two arts centres and cultural exchange programs to encourage networking and knowledge sharing. Art Jameel is the founding partner of Edge of Arabia, The Crossway Foundation, Jeddah Art Week, and The Archive. In partnership with the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, it awards the biannual Jameel Prize for contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic traditions. Additional projects include: Art Jameel Photography Award; Jeddah Sculpture Museum, a public park established in collaboration with Jeddah Municipality; Art Jameel Olympics, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia; and Art Jameel Program for Traditional Arts and Crafts in Fustat, Egypt, in collaboration with the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts.

ALJCI was established in 2003 to promote positive social change through the establishment of long-term partnerships with international institutions, and the creation of initiatives in the fields of Job Creation – Bab Rizq Jameel; Global Poverty Alleviation; Arts and Culture – Art Jameel; Education and Training – Education Jameel; and Health and Social – Social Jameel. For further information, please visit www.aljci.org.