Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - 25 March, 2026: The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Mubadala are pleased to announce that the open call for submissions for the second edition of the House of Artisans Design Competition has been extended. Creatives across the United Arab Emirates now have until 20 April to submit their entries for this prestigious competition, which celebrates and reinterprets traditional Emirati craftsmanship through contemporary design.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the competition, sponsored by Mubadala, is a vital initiative under House of Artisans, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing emerging talent and preserving the UAE’s rich heritage. It offers a unique platform for designers to engage with traditional crafts, with selected designs having the opportunity to be acquired by Mubadala Foundation. 

Winners of the competition will receive valuable exposure both locally and internationally. The previous winning design, “Moza”, was showcased at the esteemed NOMAD St. Moritz and NOMAD Abu Dhabi. Designed by Khaled Al Shaer and Mohammad Samara, the modern low-back lounge chair embodies sophisticated Emirati craftsmanship. It featured an innovative combination of an industrial steel pipe structure and a seat upholstered in handwoven palm frond leather (Khoos), crafted by Emirati artisan Alia Al Mansouri. The piece successfully brought a unique cultural expression to both regional and global audiences, balancing form and function with a warm, contemporary aesthetic.

The competition invites established artists, designers and students from UAE-based higher education institutions to participate across three categories: Furniture Design, Product Design, and Deco Art. Following an initial shortlisting, 20 candidates will enter a tailored design development programme, culminating in the selection of eight winners by an esteemed panel of experts.

A key initiative within the five-year partnership between DCT Abu Dhabi and Mubadala, the competition bridges generations, fostering collaboration between participants and skilled artisans to create designs that merge past and present. This initiative underscores DCT Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to protect, preserve and promote the UAE’s cultural heritage.