ArtDayMe: As the UAE’s creative sector continues to evolve and expand, Art Jameel and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) have announced the launch of the 2026 edition of the Art Jameel Research and Practice Platform (RPP), inviting creative practitioners from across the country to apply for one of the nation’s most impactful support programmes for the cultural and creative industries.

 

Established in 2020 in response to the needs of the creative community, the Research and Practice Platform has grown into the UAE’s largest micro-grants initiative of its kind. Designed to provide timely and flexible support, the programme enables creative practitioners to sustain, strengthen and advance their practices while connecting them to a wider network of peers, mentors and opportunities.

 

The 2026 edition has been developed to address the evolving realities of creative work across Dubai and the UAE, offering meaningful support to practitioners working across diverse disciplines and at different stages of their careers.

 

Applications are open to UAE nationals and residents working in a broad range of fields, including:

* Visual arts and interdisciplinary practices

* Design

* Illustration

* Architecture

* Photography and filmmaking

* Writing, publishing and research

* Music and performance

* Cultural production and curatorial practices

* Digital and emerging media

* Fashion, craft and material-based practices

 

 

The programme welcomes applications from individuals, collaborative practices and small collectives.

Eligibility

To apply, candidates must:

* Be based in the UAE

* Be aged 18 or over

* Hold a valid Emirates ID and UAE bank account

* Be actively engaged in a cultural or creative practice

 

 

What Successful Applicants Receive

 

Selected participants, chosen through an independent and rigorous jury process, will benefit from:

 

* Direct financial support for their creative practice

* Membership in the Research and Practice Platform network

* Access to mentorship and professional development opportunities

* Participation in future programmes at Jameel Arts Centre, including Creative Careers Days

Unlike many arts funding opportunities, the programme does not require a project proposal. Instead, applicants are asked to share information about their creative practice, how recent circumstances have impacted their work and how participation in the programme would contribute to their continued development.

Applications may be submitted in either English or Arabic.

Application Deadline

Applications are now open and will be accepted until 11:59 PM (UAE time) on 31 July 2026.

Through the Research and Practice Platform, Art Jameel and Dubai Culture continue their shared commitment to nurturing a resilient, connected and thriving creative ecosystem across the UAE, ensuring that artists and cultural practitioners have the support needed to grow, experiment and contribute to the country’s vibrant cultural landscape.

 

Art Jameel is an independent organisation that supports artists and creative communities through exhibitions, commissions, learning initiatives and research programmes across the Middle East and beyond.

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is the Emirate’s dedicated authority for culture, heritage, arts and literature, working to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity and a thriving hub for talent.