Once again, Dubai is a rare opportunity for visionaries around the world. Dubai is always the epicenter of architectural genius and cultural expression. The operator of the Burj Khalifa, Emaar, has officially re-launched its much-anticipated creative campaign with a warm invitation to aspiring artists, talented designers and driven creatives from the UAE and around the world.
This amazing project offers individuals a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to submit their original audio-visual projection designs and potentially have their elaborate work stunningly displayed right on the illuminated facade of the tallest building in the world. According to the premier developer’s official confirmation, the major competition is now open and accepting entries through the official Burj Khalifa website. Organizers teased the incredible scope of the event on social media, excitedly noting that your signature could be the next amazing projection lighting the famous tower. This giant undertaking is called the Burj Khalifa Open Call and will be a platform for an incredible celebration of global design and digital art.
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An Epic Canvas for Global Artistry & Innovation
The official creative brief for this amazing competition explicitly asks for an eye-catching, intensely captivating audio-visual projection that perfectly embodies the fundamental themes of unadulterated creativity, skillful artistry and the unquestionably lively spirit of Dubai itself.
The official prize package offered this year doesn’t appear to include any direct financial compensation or specific cash reward, but there’s one huge guarantee that goes far beyond typical prizes. The winner will receive the ultimate prize: huge, unparalleled worldwide publicity. The one winning design will be magnificently projected onto one of the world’s most photographed and iconic structures, instantly displaying the chosen artist’s amazing work to a huge worldwide audience of locals, visitors and international media. Emaar has cleverly positioned this amazing project as the ultimate high-profile platform for driven creatives to literally project their limitless creativity sky-high, transforming the imposing architectural marvel into an amazing digital canvas for the whole world to see.
Reach to the official link for all the details related to get featured.
Key Dates & Global Eligibility for Campaigns
To give artists plenty of time to create their ambitious digital masterpieces flawlessly, the organizers have set a generous submission window:
- Official Entry Period: Commences on July 8, 2026, and ends at precisely 11:59 p.m. on August 18, 2026.
- Submission Window: The carefully designed schedule effectively provides aspiring artists with nearly six full weeks to fully develop, refine and formally submit their stunning visual concepts.
- Global Access: The geographical restrictions are gone, a major and widely applauded change from the previous way of operating. This year’s huge open call is a truly international event, unlike the 2025 edition of the competition, which was exclusively for permanent residents of the United Arab Emirates. The prestigious competition is now open to gifted participants living within the United Arab Emirates and abroad, giving a diverse array of creative voices from around the world the chance to compete fiercely for the ultimate architectural spotlight.
Getting Through the Strict Technical Submission Requirements
The entry requirements clearly demonstrate the massive logistical challenge of projecting giant, high-definition artwork onto the complex façade of the world’s tallest building, which naturally demands total technical perfection. All official entries must be 100% original, highly culturally relevant to the area and free of any possible copyright issues with regards to the accompanying audio tracks and visuals.
The specifications of the technical file are very detailed and must be perfectly respected:
- Design Length: All final video designs must be exactly three minutes in length.
- File Formats: The final projection file must be submitted in high resolution MOV format only. However, the MP4 preliminary preview clip must be strictly submitted by the applicant.
- Audio Specs: The preview file will also have to have music that is perfectly blended with a stand alone audio track that has been specially mixed for the final live projection use. Of course, all music used in the submission must be copyright free.
- Concept Note: In addition to the complete technical files, applicants are required to submit a well-written concept note up to 300 words explaining the main idea and deep inspiration behind their digital design. Emaar has produced a detailed guidance manual and a comprehensive specification template for download to help entrants prepare perfect submissions.
The Official Application Process and Changing Rewards
The application process has been streamlined to be as accessible as possible to creatives around the world. Artists interested are requested to send their concept note in detail and the finished video files directly to opencall@emaar.ae well in advance of the strict deadline.
By submitting their creative artwork in the official competition entry form, participants expressly agree to abide by all the specific terms, conditions and FAQs of the competition. These are meticulously posted in the Open Call section of the main Burj Khalifa website. It is noticeable that the call does not include the much publicized cash prize, which was an important factor in the success of last year’s edition. Emaar’s 2025 Open Call was exclusively for UAE locals and was famous for the huge prize of AED 100,000 for the winning designer, as well as the projection itself.
Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar spoke eloquently when he unveiled the final version, calling the Burj Khalifa more than just a giant feat of engineering. He called it a giant canvas open to anyone with real talent to share, formally situating the whole competition as a key part of the company’s larger, ambitious drive to foster creative voices. It’s an interesting strategic move by Emaar, going from a very local cash-stimulus contest to a much longer, truly global, and exposure-driven initiative, suggesting it is confident in casting a much wider net this year. The famous developer is obviously betting that the sheer unequalled prestige of the Burj Khalifa platform is a great enough attraction in its own right, and for many very passionate artists working all over the world, having their work showcased brilliantly across the world’s tallest building is certainly the ultimate incentive.
