Sharjah Museums call for UAE's young artistic talent to submit work for digital exhibition

Artists in the UAE are invited to participate, and the resulting exhibition will mark International Museum Day on May 18

Manal Ataya, Director General of the Sharjah Museums Authority. Navin Khianey / The National

Sharjah Museums Authority is calling on young talent in the UAE to submit work for an online exhibition launching on International Museum Day 2020, which falls on Monday, May 18.

The open call is part of a larger initiative by the International Council of Museums, a global organisation that has marked International Museum Day every year since 1977, as a way to highlight issues faced by museums and their communities.

This year, the theme "Diversity in Times of Adversity" addresses the health crisis caused by Covid-19, which has infected more than three million people worldwide. The pandemic has also led to quarantine measures in many countries, as well as the closure of museums and cultural institutions.

Under these circumstances, the International Council of Museums' theme asks participants to explore the role of art, design and creativity in uniting people and providing solace during difficult times.

Artists, musicians, poets and filmmakers aged 16 to 35 can submit works that respond to the theme on the Sharjah Museums Authority website, along with a brief description in English or Arabic of their concept.

Entries will be reviewed a committee and those selected will be included in the virtual show.

“We have always been focused on providing our audiences with access to all Sharjah Museums Authority’s museums and programmes, something that is at the heart of International Museum Day's current theme, and during these difficult times it's very important we continue to do so via digital means,” said Manal Ataya, director-general of the Sharjah Museums Authority.

Submissions are open until Sunday, May 10.

This exhibition is part of a growing list of digital initiatives launched by UAE museums and art institutions since closures in mid-March. Louvre Abu Dhabi, for example, has created a virtual tour of its current exhibition, while Jameel Arts Centre has shared a number of resources and activities on its website and social media channels. Art Jameel, the foundation behind Jameel Arts Centre, has also announced an open call for artists, with a specific focus on digital art.

More information on Sharjah Museums Authority's open call can be found at sharjahmuseums.ae