The Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival Open Call invites artists, creators, and researchers from around the globe to explore the grand narrative of “Civilizations” through their work. This is your chance to contribute to a dynamic cultural event that examines how human creativity has flourished across millennia and continues to shape our world today.
The Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival is seeking submissions across a wide array of artistic mediums, including photography, sculpture, film, and visual arts. The core theme, “Civilizations” encourages artists to delve into our shared past and consider how cultures evolve, meet, and merge, giving rise to new forms of art and understanding.
This open call stands out as a fantastic opportunity for artists seeking international exposure and recognition. With no submission fee, it’s a free call for entries photography and art across disciplines, making it accessible to creators worldwide. Selected works will be professionally presented at the festival, which has quickly become a significant cultural event following its successful launch. This open call aligns well with many online photo challenges focused on meaningful narratives. It’s a chance to be part of a globally connected arts ecosystem and contribute to a dialogue about civilizations through your art.
The Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival Open Call 2026 Prizes
The Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival Open Call offers selected artists the opportunity to have their work exhibited and recognized within the festival framework, with specific cash prizes and trophies for top entries.
The awarded prizes are:
- 1st Place: 5,000 AED cash prize and a trophy.
- 2nd Place: 2,500 AED cash prize and a trophy.
Students:
- 1st Place: 2,000 AED cash prize and a trophy.
- 2nd Place: 1,000 AED cash prize and a trophy.
Other Free Contests
The Categories of the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival Open Call
The Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival Open Call is unified by the theme “Civilizations.” Submissions are accepted across multiple art forms.
Categories for submission include:
- Visual Arts: Paintings, photos, graphics, mixed media.
- Sculpture & Installation: Outdoor works.
- Film: Narrative, documentary, and animation under 30 minutes.
- Students (K-12): One original work in fine art, photography, sculpture, or film.
AI-generated works are also accepted with specific guidelines.
Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival Open Call 2026 Dates and Entry Fees
Artists interested in submitting work to the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival Open Call should note the key dates for the application period and information regarding costs.
The submission dates are:
- Submission Deadline: May 31, 2025.
There is no fee to submit artwork to the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival Open Call. Participation is free for all eligible artists.
How to Enter:
To submit your artwork for the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival Open Call, use the online submission forms available on the festival website.
- Go to the “2026 Festival” section on the RAK Art website.
- Choose the relevant category (Visual Arts, Sculpture & Installation, Film, or Students).
- Complete the specific submission form for that category.
- Upload required high-quality photos (2-5MB, jpeg/jpg/png, CMYK, 300 ppi ideal). For Film, submit via FilmFreeway as specified.
- Provide details about your work, including how it relates to the “Civilizations” theme.
- Submit your application before the May 31, 2025 deadline.
Why Enter Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival Open Call?
Entering the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival Open Call offers artists a significant opportunity for international exposure in the UAE. Being part of this festival allows your work to be seen by a diverse audience and potentially by collectors and curators. The festival’s theme, “Civilizations,” is a rich subject that encourages meaningful artistic exploration.
A key benefit is the professional presentation of selected work. Visual arts pieces will be digitally printed on a large scale for outdoor display. The festival provides a platform for diverse mediums, including fine art photography competition entries. With no submission fee, it’s an accessible opportunity for artists worldwide seeking other photo competitions to showcase their talent and gain recognition.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival Open Call 2026 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
The Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival Open Call is free to enter and open to artists and directors of any age (K-12 students have a dedicated category). Submissions must be original works adhering to the theme “Civilizations.” Content must be respectful and suitable for all ages in the UAE. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Artists can submit one work per category via the specific submission forms (except Film, submitted via FilmFreeway). Multiple submissions in the same category are not considered. Works previously submitted to the festival in the last four years are not accepted. High-quality digital files are required (2-5MB jpeg, jpg, png for images, CMYK, ideally 300 ppi). Cell phone photos for Visual Arts are not accepted. AI-generated works are permitted but must be authentic AI creations with artist input/process clarified, respecting ethical standards and IP rights.
Copyright and Image Usage
Artists and directors retain sole copyright for their submitted work. By submitting, participants grant the Festival permission to use and reproduce (all or part) the entered material free of charge for promotional purposes, including publication and display in media (print, online, social media, catalog, tickets). This may involve cropping. Participants who do not wish their material used for promotion must inform the Festival Committee in writing at the time of submission. If exhibited work is for sale, the Festival does not handle sales, but provides the artist’s contact information to interested buyers.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
