Burj Khalifa Open Call is back for 2026, giving artists, designers and creative studios a chance to see their work projected onto Dubai’s most famous landmark. The competition is looking for an original three-minute audio-visual projection that can be displayed on the tower’s exterior.
For Dubai’s creative community, the appeal is clear. A selected design on Burj Khalifa is not a gallery wall or a small screen. It is a city-scale showcase seen by residents, visitors and online audiences around the world.
What Artists Need To Create
The brief calls for a three-minute audio-visual projection that reflects Dubai’s creativity, innovation and artistic spirit. The winning artwork will be projected onto Burj Khalifa, turning the building into the canvas.
Applicants need to prepare a preview video in MP4 format. If selected, they will also need a final high-resolution MOV file, copyright-free music for the projection, a separate audio file and a short written explanation of the idea.
Deadline And Submission Details
Entries are open until Tuesday, August 18, 2026, with submissions closing at 11.59pm. Artists should not leave technical preparation until the final day, because the files and format requirements are more detailed than a normal portfolio submission.
The written concept can be up to 300 words. That short note should explain the inspiration clearly, because a strong projection needs both visual impact and a simple story behind it.
Is There A Prize?
This year’s public details do not mention a cash prize. The main reward is the display opportunity itself, which can give the selected artist global visibility.
That makes the call especially interesting for artists who want a signature portfolio moment. A Burj Khalifa projection can support future commissions, media attention and commercial credibility.
What Makes A Strong Entry?
A strong submission should be designed for the building, not just resized from an existing video. Burj Khalifa’s height, shape and viewing distance mean contrast, movement and pacing matter.
Artists should also think about music rights from the start. The rules require copyright-free music, so using a popular song or uncleared audio can weaken an otherwise strong idea.
Why This Matters For Dubai Culture
The open call gives the city another public art moment linked to a globally recognised landmark. It also creates a rare route for artists to work at architectural scale, where their design becomes part of the skyline.
Dubai Bliss readers following city attractions can also read our guide to Dubai landmark experiences and cultural openings. For visitor information about the tower, check the official Burj Khalifa website.
Before You Apply
Download the template and technical guide before starting the final file. It is easier to create within the right dimensions than to fix a finished video later.
Keep the idea bold but readable. The tower is huge, and viewers may watch from different distances, so tiny details can disappear. Clear movement, strong colour choices and a concise concept will help.
It is also worth testing the idea without sound. Many people will first notice the projection from a distance, through a phone camera or from a busy viewing area. If the visual story works silently, the final audio layer can make it stronger rather than carrying the whole concept.
The Burj Khalifa Open Call is one of Dubai’s most visible creative opportunities this summer. For the right artist, the deadline is worth taking seriously.
FAQs
What is the Burj Khalifa Open Call?
It is a creative competition inviting artists and designers to submit an original projection concept for Burj Khalifa. The selected work will be displayed on the tower’s exterior.
When is the 2026 deadline?
Submissions close on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 11.59pm. Artists should prepare files early because technical requirements apply.
What files are required?
Applicants need a three-minute MP4 preview, copyright-free music, a separate audio file and a written concept. Selected artists will need to provide a high-resolution MOV file.
Is there prize money?
Public details for this edition do not mention a cash prize. The main reward is the chance to have the work projected on Burj Khalifa.