DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Emaar has relaunched its Burj Khalifa Open Call, inviting artists and designers from the UAE and around the world to submit projection concepts for the tower’s façade.
The competition is open to creatives who want their work displayed on the world’s tallest building. Emaar announced the initiative on social media and said the selected design would bring new creative work to a global audience.
According to the call, entries should celebrate innovation, artistry and Dubai’s energy. The winning concept will be turned into an audio-visual projection shown on Burj Khalifa.
Submissions opened July 8 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 18, 2026. Applicants are required to present original work that is culturally appropriate and free of copyright issues.
Entries must run for three minutes. Organizers require a preview video in MP4 format and a final high-resolution version in MOV format. A separate audio file must also be submitted, and all music used must be copyright-free.
Along with the video, applicants must include a short concept note of up to 300 words explaining the inspiration and story behind the design. Emaar has also made a template and guidance manual available for those preparing submissions.
Artists must email their entries to opencall@emaar.ae before the deadline. Full terms, conditions and frequently asked questions are listed on the Burj Khalifa Open Call section of the tower’s website.
This year’s edition does not list a cash prize. Instead, the main reward is having the work projected on Burj Khalifa, one of the most photographed landmarks in the world.
That is different from the 2025 edition, which offered a Dh100,000 prize and was limited to UAE residents. This year’s call is broader, welcoming participants from the UAE and internationally.
For many creatives, the appeal may lie less in cash and more in visibility. The chance to have a design displayed on Burj Khalifa could provide a major platform for emerging and established artists alike.
