FAQ

To be eligible to apply for this award you must be:

• A full time degree student enrolled in a university or college in the UAE.

OR

• A resident of the UAE who has graduated from a university or college within the last seven years.

The winner will be selected by a distinguished committee. Applications will be presented to the committee and five artists will be shortlisted. Shortlisted artists and their mentors will then be invited to present their ideas to the committee. A winner will be chosen based on their presentation.

The committee will be looking for the following attributes in the winning application:

• Artistic merit
• Evidence of original and creative thinking
• Feasibility of producing and exhibiting the work on time and within budget
• Application Deadline: February 1, 2027 (midnight GMT+4)
• Conditions of applicant acceptance

TO APPLY ONLINE

To submit your application and supporting materials you will be redirected to Slideroom.com, our secure application website. In order to submit your application and materials you will be asked to sign up for an account. Please use the same E-mail for both Slideroom sign up and contact information when requested during the application process. When applying online, it will be possible to save your progress and return to submit prior to the deadline  (February 1, 2027, midnight GMT+4)

Artwork and supporting materials can be uploaded during the online application process and must be in PDF or JPG format. No more than five (5) documents or files are allowed sent with your application.

All applications must include the support and nomination of a mentor (either within or outside of the university system). By nominating a student or graduate, the nominator commits to mentoring them through the application, production and exhibition process.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please send your query via email to Award Director, Emily Doherty at christo.award@nyu.edu.

A. You will need a mentor. By nominating you, they commit to working with you throughout the production and installation of your work, to guide and support you. They can be a practicing artist, a current or past professor, a client, a gallerist – anyone whom you would like to work with. It is an important relationship and one that will help you to realize your work.

B. When filling in the online application form your answers don’t have to be long, but they need to be focused and honest. If you foresee challenges in the creation of your work, for example, tell us what they are and how you may need help in overcoming them.

C. Do your research: if you are thinking about what your artwork production might cost, ring potential suppliers and ask them to quote. A budget doesn’t have to be definitive at the beginning, and it will be a work in progress, but it’s helpful to start somewhere.

D. Think big, think small BUT think practical:

1. Is your work DURABLE? If the work is exhibited outside it will need to withstand all of the elements: wind, rain, sun.
2. Can you produce your project for $10,000 USD [approx. AED 36,730]?
3. Can you DELIVER your artwork on time? Can you manage the challenges of making art AND juggling your other commitments?
4. Do you have a PLACE to work?
5. Is your work SAFE to exhibit in a public space?

E. Do you want to work as a TEAM or on your own? If you have an idea between you, and think that it would be good to work together, go for it [maximum of three entrants per application].

F. Think OUTSIDE OF THE BOX. Previous winners of the Award may provide inspiration, but the Selection Committee will always be looking for innovation and something ORIGINAL.

G. ENJOY the experience and have fun. This is a tremendous opportunity to create art and work with arts professionals.

A. If your Award candidate is shortlisted, they will be asked to present their artistic proposal in person to the Selection Committee.

B. In both your application statement and any future presentations, you are requested to be transparent and flag up any potential challenges in your applicant’s proposal.

C. By nominating an applicant, the mentor commits to working with the artist throughout the application, production and exhibition processes. It is a substantial time commitment. The mentor will be expected to be present for key phases, and will have public visibility as a member of the Award process.

To submit your application and supporting materials you will be redirected to Slideroom.com, our secure application website. In order to submit your application and materials you will be asked to sign up for an account. Please use the same  e-mail for both slideroom.com sign up and when filling in the contact information section on your application.

Artwork and supporting materials can be uploaded during the online application process, or emailed as an attachment when using the downloadable form, and must be in PDF or JPG formats. No more than five (5) documents or files should be sent with your application.