Young Artist Award appoints student ambassadors

The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award today announced the appointment of official Student Ambassadors, who will work with the Award, both on and off campus, as positive student role models, encouraging fellow art students to participate in the award and explaining the importance of opportunity and the possibility of winning. Mona Bin Kalli, Director of The Sheikha Manal Cultural Office said, "We are pleased to launch the YAA Student Ambassadors project, which will not only help enlighten young art students about the Award but will also present a tremendous opportunity for the public to gain a more comprehensive understanding and greater appreciation of the art and culture scene in the UAE." She added, "Under the directives of H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who has consistently emphasised the continued growth of this annual competition, which has in turn, helped identify and supporting the careers of local and regional emerging UAE talents, we are confident that the addition of this new initiative will help fulfill the main purpose of this competition to propel new talented young artists into the spotlight." The process kicked off at the beginning of the year when distinguished UAE universities were invited to nominate a promising art student to work with The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award and The Sheikha Manal Cultural Office, by offering support to their peers as the as key reference to any questions they may have with regards to the Award and the submissions process. This year, a total of 7 Student Ambassadors will be nominated. The selection will be based on demonstrated interest, commitment and excellence in the arts, as well as academic record, leadership experience and dedication to education and community service. The contest is open to all UAE-based students, male and female, between the ages of 18 and 30 years. One major criterion for the award is that the artist should not have had an independent solo exhibition previously. The entries will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges comprised of industry professional and practicing artists from the local and international art community. Furthermore, after the nominations have been announced online, the public/visitors will have a chance to vote for their favourite art work at �The People's Choice Award' through the website's online voting feature. The application process will be conducted via the competition website. Interested participants can follow the instructions on the website to make their online submission. The deadline to apply and upload entries is 15th of October 2013.