Skywards Future Artists Competition Connects Emerging Artists with Audience of 7 Million

Skywards' Future Artists competition is searching for undiscovered talent, whether self-taught, art students or even experienced individuals, who hadn't yet achieved their artistic aspirations. By engaging with the widest possible audience, Skywards wants to introduce these artists worldwide and showcase their original work.

The competition is open to all artists, across three broad media categories: photography/digital media painting/illustration, and 3D (sculpture, ceramic and glass). Three winning entries will be chosen, one for each tier of Skywards membership. The winning images of the selected artwork will be featured on the 2013 Skywards membership cards, as well as in all supporting online and offline communications and promotional material.

Each artist's name will be displayed alongside their winning artwork.

"As the company continues its global expansion, Emirates, through the Skywards frequent flyer programme, wants to enable talented artists to share their innovative artwork with the rest of the world," says Brian LaBelle, Senior Vice-President Skywards.

"Skywards' members are a vast global community, one that acts as a distinctive virtual platform of its own. The Skywards Future Artists Competition is the perfect link between our diverse Skywards community and new, aspiring artists in the art world."

The creators of the winning artworks will receive US$5000 along with aUS $2000 prize for the institution where the winners have studied (if applicable). Judging will be conducted by a panel of highly regarded industry professionals, experts, and Skywards members. The panel of judges will create a shortlist of entries which will then be judged by the Skywards members through a voting process on the website. The website for submitting entries and competition rules is www.skywardsfutureartists.com. The deadline for submitting artwork is 25 June 2012, voting by Skywards members is open from 30 July to 15 August 2012 and the winners will be announced August end 2012.