The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has opened submissions for the fourth edition of the annual Sikka Art Fair, a contemporary artist-led fair aimed at nurturing and promoting Emirati and UAE-based talent.

To be held from March 15 to 25, 2014 at the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Sikka 2014 will open doors to artists and collectives working within and across visual arts, performing arts, music, and film.

Khalil Abdulwahid, manager of Visual Arts, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “Since its inception, Sikka has become the definitive platform for emerging artists, whether they are looking to excel in painting, sculpting or in music. With the previous edition of Sikka expanding its scope to become a truly community-focused event, we have been able to reach out to all spectrums of audiences and instill a genuine appreciation for the city’s burgeoning arts scene.

“Over the last three years, Dubai Culture has been able to spark creative dialogue among local, regional, and international artists, while encouraging intercultural collaboration and exchange of ideas.”

Aspiring and established artists interested in producing original works, commissioned exclusively for Sikka 2014 can download their applications and submit their proposals until December 30.

Held concurrently with Art Week, Dubai’s premier umbrella arts initiative, comprising Art Dubai and Design Days Dubai, both of which are strategically supported by Dubai Culture, Sikka will feature a plethora of activities ranging from workshops, talks and discussions, guided tours and walks, film and animation screenings and children’s programmes.

The fair will also host the Open Studios Exhibition, featuring works by the artists selected for the annual Artists-in-Residence (A.i.R) Dubai programme, with the participants creating site-specific work.

Having expanded its scope to include visual arts, performing arts, film, and music, Sikka 2013 included a diverse spread of mediums, including animation workshops, Haiku walks, art auctions, Polaroid photography and Arabic calligraphy.

The fair also covered a range of subjects from visual arts, animation, design, new media, literature and poetry, music and performing arts offering artists, art enthusiasts, children, and visitors, insights into the creative flourish of culture and arts in Dubai. – TradeArabia News Service