With the deadline for sending applications to the first annual 'Abraaj Capital Art Prize' competition set for June 15, artists and curators from Mena and Southeast Asia region are racing to send in their entries for the contest.

Close on the heels of a highly successful 'Art Dubai 2008,' the emirate is receiving overwhelming response from artists who are vying to showcase their innovative projects and work with artists from emerging art centres at the debut art competition, the organisers said.

'The Abraaj Capital art prize – offering the world’s largest art competition endowment worth a total of $1 million - is designed to create a viable platform for individual artists who are revered in their local communities but lack international critical and commercial exposure,' said Savita Apte, chair of the Abraaj Capital Art Prize committee and director of Art Dubai.

In the first year, three artists will be selected to work alongside international curators to hone their talent, and will have an opportunity to widen their international reputation and network by unveiling their projects at Art Dubai 2009.

Displaying their work at the Middle East’s largest modern and contemporary fair will raise the curtain on their talent, allowing finalists a global platform, she added.

“Art Dubai has been instrumental in focusing international attention on art being produced in the wider Mena and SA region; the Abraaj Capital Art Prize aims to empower the potential of emerging artists from these markets by affording them an international platform,' Apte noted.

The Abraaj Capital Art Prize is an exceptional opportunity for artists to be able to realize their ambitions,” she added.

“The competition aims to expand opportunities for winning artists by providing them with necessary tools to become sustainable contributors to the regional and global art stage by pairing them with internationally-renowned curators who will help take their art to the next level,” said Apte.

The Abraaj Art Prize includes a selection committee comprising renowned curators, art fair directors, collectors, publishers and designers. The winning artists will create their projects in time for 'Art Dubai 2009' in March.

“The Mena & SA region is going through a transformational period, especially from an economic standpoint. By fostering artists from the region through this new art prize, Abraaj Capital is empowering artists to play their part in the renaissance of our societies and cultural heritage,” explained Frederic Sicre, executive director of Abraaj Capital.-TradeArabia News Service