Open Call
Eligibility
- UAE citizens, residents of the UAE, and international applicants
- Individuals living and working in the UAE or teams with one member who is UAE based are preferred
- If the proposal is a team effort then a team leader needs to be identified
- One team member must be an architect
- One team member must be an Emirati National
- International applications must include a local team member to be accepted
- Teams of 5 or less can participate and can include members of different fields; curators, architects, artists, historians, designers, theorists, scientists, critics, or anyone working in similar fields.
- Applicants will need to demonstrate local expertise, experience, and understanding when submitting their proposals
How To Apply
Applications are in email submission or website submission in English and must include the following:
- Applications must be in English
- A clear narrative that describes the subject or theme and clearly explains the conceptual approach to the pavilion (proposals should not exceed more than 2500 words with a maximum file size of 5MB)
- Any visual support material (e.g. photos, sketches, etc.)
- List of team members (if applicable), if more than one please identify a lead contact
- Short bio(s) of team member(s) (no more than 500 words per person)
- Up to three samples of past work (no more than 3 images per project)
- Applications should be submitted in a single PDF format and not exceed 5 MB in size and not exceed 10 pages
Applications to be submitted online via the website or email to [email protected] Applications sent by email should be sent with a link to download the proposal using a file-sharing service such as WeTransfer or DropBox.
Selection Process
Selection will be in three phases.
- Phase 1: Concept Proposal submissions to be received by midnight UAE time on October 1, 2023.
- Phase 2: Up to 10 proposals will be selected, and individuals or teams will be invited to work up a fully developed exhibition proposal. Final detailed proposals need to be received in November 2023.
- Phase 3: Up to 3 finalists will be invited to present their ideas to the selection committee who will then nominate one proposal to represent the UAE in 2025 at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia.
For each phase an appointed selection committee of industry leaders and subject matter experts will review all proposals. All applicants will be notified of final decisions. The selection is based on content and quality of the proposal, the ability to execute the final exhibition in Venice, and most importantly, what is the UAE story being told and what is that story’s relevance on a global level.
Committee
- HE Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to HH the President Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University
- Manal Ataya, Advisor, Sharjah Museums Authority
- Rita Aoun, Executive Director of Culture Sector, Department of Culture of Tourism, Abu Dhabi
- Professor Kevin Mitchell, Trustees Professor of Architecture, American University of Sharjah
- Nada Taryam, Chief Real Estate Officer, Beeah Group
- Brendan McGetrick, Creative Director, Dubai Future Foundation
- Faysal Tabbarah, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Architecture at the American University of Sharjah, Curator 2023 National Pavilion UAE – La Biennale di Venezia
One proposal will be selected and the individual/team will be invited to work with the National Pavilion UAE team to deliver the exhibition at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition in May 2025.