If you are an artist based in the UAE and you want a credible, juried opportunity with real visibility, the NBF ART 2025 26 open call is one you should not ignore. National Bank of Fujairah is inviting artists to respond to this year’s theme, “We Belong Here”, with the promise of prizes, mentorship, and an exhibition pathway for shortlisted works.
This article breaks down what matters for artists, what is actually verified on the official pages, and how to submit without losing time.
Quick facts at a glance
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Open call deadline: 30 January 2026
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Theme: We Belong Here
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Prizes: AED 10,000 (1st), AED 5,000 (2nd), AED 3,000 (3rd)
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Eligibility: UAE based artists, 18+ (see eligibility note below)
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Selection outcomes: Top 10 shortlisted, top 30 exhibited at a “renowned” venue, winners announced May 2026
What is NBF ART and why it matters
NBF positions NBF ART as part of its wider sustainability and social impact agenda, and it has built the initiative over multiple editions. For artists, that matters because it signals repeatability, institutional commitment, and a public facing exhibition outcome instead of a one off social media post.
The 2025 26 edition is described as the fifth edition of the initiative.
Who can apply (important eligibility note)
Here is what the official sources say, and where you should double check:
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NBF’s press release states the open call is open to all UAE based artists aged 18 and above, including emerging and established artists.
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The NBF ART website guidelines say the prize welcomes emerging artists who are 18+ and residents of the UAE, and notes that a valid UAE Emirates ID is required to claim the prize.
How to verify if you are unsure: open the submission form on nbf-art.com and check the exact wording shown during submission (and any terms linked there). If you are established but UAE based, you can still submit, but treat the website guidelines as the stricter eligibility reference.
The theme: “We Belong Here”
This year’s theme is intentionally broad. The official text frames it around belonging, identity, inclusion, empathy, and the idea that unity is not uniformity. That is a gift if you build a clear personal angle and avoid generic statements.
A practical way to approach it:
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Define what “belonging” means in your lived UAE context (community, language, migration, family, work, landscape).
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Show evidence through form, material, and composition, not only through words.
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Keep your concept tight enough to fit the short text fields in the submission form.
What you can submit (mediums + file rules)
The official guidelines list these mediums:
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Painting
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Sculpture
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Drawing or sketching
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Digital art
For physical works (painting, sculpture), you submit high resolution photos. The NBF press release specifies PNG or JPEG.
From the submission form itself:
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Upload PNG or JPEG, max 5MB for the artwork image.
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If you have submission issues, they ask you to email a combined PDF (max 4MB) containing Artwork Picture, Personal Photo, Portfolio, and Artwork Concept to art@nbf.ae.
How to apply (step by step)
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Go to the official NBF ART website and open the submission form.
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Prepare your artwork image in PNG or JPEG and keep it under 5MB.
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Fill in the required fields (the form shows items like nationality, country of residence, date of birth, medium of choice, plus short text fields with character limits).
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Submit before 30 January 2026.
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If the form fails, send the combined PDF package to art@nbf.ae as instructed.
Link to application page: https://nbf-art.com/
Who judges it (and how to aim your submission)
The judging panel and advisor listed for this edition include:
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Khalil Abdul Wahid (Dubai Culture and Arts Authority)
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Mara Firetti (Firetti Contemporary)
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Sumayyah Al Suwaidi (Art Curator)
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Patricia Millns FRSA (Art advisor for the edition)
What that signals: your work should be visually resolved and professionally documented, and your concept should be clear enough to stand on its own without a long essay.
What happens after you submit
Based on the official process description:
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All entries are reviewed by a Selection Committee
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Top 10 are shortlisted
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Top 30 are exhibited at a “renowned” venue and also featured on NBF channels
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Winners are announced in May 2026
What cannot be verified yet: the press materials do not name the exhibition venue for the top 30. If that detail matters for your decision, monitor NBF ART updates or ask directly via the official contact channels listed on the NBF ART site.
Artist checklist: how to avoid a weak submission
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Photo quality decides everything: shoot straight, correct lighting, clean background for 2D works, multiple angles for sculpture, and consistent color.
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Write a concept that matches the form: do not submit a generic belonging statement if the work does not visually carry it.
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Make the scale legible: include dimensions in your documentation or portfolio when possible.
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Respect the limits: file size, format, and character limits are not optional.
For art fair and festival organisers: why this model works
Even if you are not an artist, NBF ART is a useful case study. It uses a clear theme, credible judges, a transparent funnel (open call, shortlist, exhibition), and adds mentorship as a value layer. That is how you attract better applicants and build long term trust in your platform.
If you are planning a prize, fair, or festival in the GCC, your open call structure is part of your brand. Done well, it upgrades applicant quality, press interest, and community buy in.
The Art Fair Guy Consultancy
Artists: If you want to apply to NBF ART 2025 26, I can help you tighten your concept, select the strongest work for the theme, and improve your documentation package so your submission reads professionally in seconds.
Organisers: If you run a fair, festival, or prize, I can help you design an open call and selection workflow that attracts higher quality exhibitors and partners, without turning it into noise. The goal is clarity, credibility, and a process you can repeat every year.
FAQ
What is the deadline for the NBF Art Prize 2025 26 open call?
The submission deadline is 30 January 2026.
Who is eligible to apply?
Official info states UAE based artists aged 18+ can apply. The NBF ART site also mentions emerging artists and a valid Emirates ID requirement to claim the prize, so check the submission form wording if you are unsure.
What mediums are accepted?
Painting, sculpture, drawing or sketching, and digital art are listed in the guidelines.
How much are the prizes?
AED 10,000 for first place, AED 5,000 for second place, AED 3,000 for third place, plus mentorship for the top winners.
What if I cannot upload my submission via the form?
The NBF ART site instructs applicants to email a combined PDF package (max 4MB) to art@nbf.ae if they encounter issues.
When are winners announced?
Winners are scheduled to be announced in May 2026.
