The award recognises creative excellence among youth in the performing arts. Submissions are open to individuals and groups (with at least one Emirati national member), who create an outstanding performance piece in the genre of music, dance, spoken word, or theatre.

Finalists will have the exciting opportunity to perform before a live audience and compete for a AED20000 (about $5 450) cash prize.

Admission and selection criteria

• The competition is open to Emirati nationals aged between 18 and 35 years.


• Entries are also welcome from groups of two to five people (with at least one Emirati national member).


• If the application is sent by a group, only one application form to be completed per group.


• A jury selects the winner.

The jury will be looking for the following attributes in the entries:

• Artistic merit.


• Evidence of original and creative thinking.


• Personal application of technical skills.


• Presentation.


• Storytelling.


• Professionalism

Winner(s)

• The winner(s) will receive a cash prize of AED20 000.

How to apply

• Record an original performance piece (high quality horizontal video) between three to eight minutes.


• Fill in the application form here(link is external) before 5 September.


• Send the full application package (application form, high quality video, supporting documents) to education@admaf.org(link sends e-mail), noting that the subject of the email should be as follows: Name – Gulf Capital – ADMAF Creativity Award 2023.

Terms and conditions

• The competition is free to enter.


• By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.


• Entries may be submitted in Arabic or English.


• Only completed entries will be accepted and submissions will not be returned.


• The applicant of the nominated entry confirms that he/she has not been paid for their work.


• In entering the award, applicant warrants that their entry is completely original under his/her own creation, all content therein is accurate and lawful, and does not contain material that is harmful, libellous, or defamatory to, or material that may infringe the right of, any person or entity in any nature. The applicant will be obliged to indemnify any damage ADMAF may suffer because of any inconsistency with the foregoing.


• Applicants will retain ownership of copyright for their entry. After submission to the competition, ADMAF has the right to use the nominated work in connection with the competition.


• ADMAF has the right to copy, display, publish and make available all nominated work in any format (whether online or in print or otherwise) in connection with the competition.


• The jury selects one winner, and their decision is final.


• The winner will attend and take part in the Award Ceremony during Abu Dhabi Festival 2024.


• The winner agrees to perform their work during any activity taking place in Abu Dhabi Festival 2024 or any other activity organised by ADMAF or Gulf Capital during 2024 (within reason).


• The winner agrees to appear in all photography and film associated with the ADMAF Creativity Award and will be requested to sign a waiver accordingly.


• The winner agrees to join the ADMAF Alumni and contribute to the promotion of future editions of the ADMAF Creativity Award.


• The winner must claim the prize within 12 months of receipt.


• The applicant’s contact details will be added to the ADMAF database to receive future updates from the Foundation

Any questions regarding this call should be emailed at education@admaf.org(link sends e-mail).

View the original call here(link is external).