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The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2023 Applications are Now Open to UAE-based Artists

The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2020 winning artwork titled "Haweia" - a sculptural installation inspired by notions of identity.

The eleventh edition of the Award continues to serve as a launch pad for art students and recent graduates

Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), have announced the opening of applications for the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2023, with submissions welcome until January 31, 2023.

Produced annually since 2013, in collaboration with The NYUAD Art Gallery, the eleventh edition of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award serves as a launch pad for artists across the Emirates, encouraging new artwork and offering winners insight into professional life as an artist, from commission to exhibition. The program is open to UAE-based students and recent graduates. 

Entrants may select any media with which they wish to work. This includes, but is not limited to, photography, painting, sculpture, film, illustration, land art and multimedia. They are also encouraged to think creatively about how to exhibit their work in a public context.

The winning artist or team will be awarded USD 10,000 to complete their installation. In the true spirit of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s work, the winning artwork will be publicly exhibited and enjoyed in Abu Dhabi, in November 2023. 

Last year’s winning artists, NYUAD sophomore undergraduate students Roudhah Al Mazrouei, an Emirati national, Gerald Jason Cruz from the Philippines, and Jennifer Tsai from Taiwan presented the winning proposal, Urban Fabric - a series of four sculptures resembling pieces of thread. The installation was designed in a way that encourages interaction in order to create a dynamic and thought-provoking space. 

Internationally acclaimed artists Christo and his wife and artistic partner Jeanne-Claude had a relationship with the UAE spanning four decades. It was Christo’s desire to support emerging artists in the UAE that resulted in the creation of an award in his name in 2012. Christo and Jeanne-Claude created highly celebrated works of art around the world, changing the concept of “public art” by creating temporary works that were transitory by design Jeanne-Claude passed away in November 2009, and Christo died in 2020. 

To apply, all entrants need to complete an application form, which includes a proposed budget and schedule.