President of Dubai Ladies Club, Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, launched the Young Artist Award: “New Signature”, an art contest targetting new and young local artists in the UAE.

The contest will be open for artists aged 18 years and older, who will submit some sample artworks, and a panel of local and international judges, consisting of art critics, recognized artists, and art educators, will be responsible for choosing the winners.
The competition will be divided into 3 main categories: 2 Dimensional Artworks, 3 Dimensional Artworks, and Modern Media.

The goal of this contest is to create greater awareness of the UAE’s artistic heritage and to specifically promote interest in local, contemporary art.
It is also an initiative to encourage sponsorship of the arts by the business sector, and to promote sustainable business-arts partnerships that will, in the long term, benefit the community at large, which will therefore secure the future of art and its development in the country.

Registration for the contest opens in May and final submission deadlines are in October, 2006. The selected works will be featured in an exclusive exhibition at the end of year. So if you’re a young artist who is looking for a chance to become a shooting star, this is it, don’t miss it. You can find more details about the contest and some contacts: here.
I believe it’s such an impressive initiative.