Louvre Abu Dhabi and Swiss watch brand Richard Mille jointly announced the launch of a new annual exhibition, entitled "Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here", and the creation of the Richard Mille Art Prize, with the aim of promoting the best of art. Contemporary. For its inaugural year, the exhibition and award will put the spotlight on artists from the emirates and foreigners residing there, as part of the UAE's multiple 50-year Jubilee celebrations.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here will be an exciting new annual international exhibition that will serve as a platform for introducing contemporary artists working in a wide variety of techniques. Each year the exhibition will see four to six artists selected through an open call for proposals, to be presented visually in a special Forum, a space for interaction and exchange within the Louvre Abu Dhabi dedicated to contemporary art. The Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 will take place in November this year.

Following the presentation, the winner of the selected artists will receive the Richard Mille Art Award, with the announcement taking place during a ceremony held inside the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The $ 50.000 annual award will be part of the ten-year commitment between the museum and Richard Mille.

The current open call for proposals to be submitted by artists from the emirates and from abroad who reside there, has as its theme "Memory, Time and Territory". This has particular resonance in the context of the UAE's jubilee celebrations, allowing artists to reflect on the country's legacy as a territory where questions from the past, present and future combine and overlap. Proposals can be submitted until August 31st. The list of candidates will be selected by a jury of international art experts, which will be announced shortly.

Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille EMEA, said: “In just a few years, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has become one of the most iconic art museums in the world. Richard Mille and Louvre Abu Dhabi are both built on principles of excellence in innovation, art, mastery and craftsmanship. As an avid collector, I have long been inspired by the visionary perspectives brought to light by contemporary artists. Therefore, I am particularly proud to see this collaboration between the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Richard Mille born, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artistic talent. The Richard Mille Art Award will redefine the benchmarks of contemporary creativity, with the aim of offering exceptional artists the opportunity to create a new dimension of their potential. "

The Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 exhibition and the announcement of the Richard Mille Art Prize winner will run in parallel with the UAE cultural season, which is comprised of Dubai Expo 2020, Abu Dhabi Art, Dubai Design Week and Art Dubai ; an exciting complement to a growing local calendar of events that celebrates modern creativity. The Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 exhibition will run from November 2021 to March 2022.