Emirates announces the launch of its future artists programme

Emirates has launched a competition to find the world’s most exciting budding artists, whose winning artwork will replace the designs of renowned contemporary artists, such as Damien Hirst, on the membership cards of its frequent flyer programme, Skywards. The winners will enjoy global exposure and recognition for their work and will be flown to Dubai, where their winning design artwork (and other art in their portfolios) will be displayed at the Art Dubai fair in March 2011. Art Dubai is the leading contemporary art fair in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, attended by art critics, collectors and gallery owners from around the world.

This new competition will be annual and open to budding artists around the globe, except for the United States and Italy. All styles of art, including sculpture, photography and paintings will be welcome. The deadline for submitting artwork is 31st August 2010. Winners will be announced on 25th September 2010.

There will be three winning entries, which will be used on the Skywards membership cards, as well as all supporting online and offline communications and promotional material. Each artist’s name will be displayed beside their winning artwork. The website for submitting entries is www.ourfutureartists.com. Rules of entry are on the website.

Judging will be conducted by a panel of highly regarded industry professionals and experts and the Skywards members. The panel of judges will create a shortlist of entries which will then be judged by the Skywards members through a voting process on the website. Among the judging criteria are creative merit, technical excellence and suitability for end use.