AlUla Design Award becomes a leading global platform to connect designers, artisans
In its ongoing efforts to position AlUla as a global hub for design
and emerging creativity, the Royal
Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced the extension of the call for
entries for the AlUla
Design Award. The submission period is now open until November 28, 2025.
As it approaches its fourth edition, the AlUla Design Award
has firmly established itself as a leading international platform that connects
designers, artisans, and materials with AlUla's unique cultural and natural
heritage. This year’s theme emphasizes the intersection of craftsmanship,
innovation, and sustainability, showcasing design that honors both tradition
and environmental responsibility. The 2025 edition will align with Saudi
Arabia’s Year of Crafts, putting a spotlight on craftsmanship as a driving
force for contemporary design.
2025-2026 Theme: The Ingenuity of the Human Hand
The theme for this edition invites designers to explore the
enduring legacy of the human hand as both a tool of creation and a storyteller
of culture. AlUla’s rich history—from ancient rose-gold sandstone tombs to
intricate plasterwork and hand-embroidered talismans—forms a living archive of
human ingenuity.
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AlUla
Design Residency 2026 unites international creatives with Saudi ancient
heritage
Designers are encouraged to reinterpret these ancient crafts
as adaptable, sustainable expressions of future heritage. By integrating
innovation and cultural resonance, entries should reflect how traditional
craftsmanship can be translated into tomorrow’s designs while remaining rooted
in environmental responsibility.
AlUla Design Award: Global Call for Entries
The 2025 edition places a particular focus on craftsmanship
as a catalyst for innovation, in line with the spirit of the Year of Crafts.
Selected projects will reimagine AlUla’s heritage—from Nabataean stone carving
and Najdi plasterwork to textiles and embroidery—through a contemporary and
sustainable lens.
Designers are urged to incorporate sustainable materials and
practices, inspired by local traditions and the natural surroundings of AlUla,
ensuring that their creations resonate with both the region’s history and its
future.
Key Dates
Call for Entries: October 17 - November 28, 2025
Finalists Announced: December 2025
Exhibition, Awards Ceremony & AlUla Design Store Opening:
January 23, 2026
Participation Benefits
Winners of the AlUla Design Award will receive significant
exposure and support for their work, including:
Development and prototyping of the designs of the 10
shortlisted designers within the two categories
Travel and invitation to the Award Ceremony in AlUla
Extensive press coverage through global media campaigns
Integration into AlUla’s growing design ecosystem
Eligibility & Application
The competition is open to professional designers and design
teams/firms worldwide.
Categories: Fashion Design and Product Design
Requirements: Original works that have not been previously
commercialized, with a focus on sustainability and feasibility, designed in
accordance with the 2025 theme
Submission Deadline: November 28, 2025
Jury and Prizes
The Jury will select one winner per category (fashion and
product design). Each winner will receive a €6,800 (SAR 30,000) creative fee
for their project. The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) will assume exclusive
rights to the winning design, with the ability to commercialize, reproduce, or
adapt the design worldwide for an unlimited period.
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Saudi
Arabia’s AlUla Company redefines tourism through cultural preservation and
sustainability
Prize Amount (USD): $7,905.00 (amount subject to exchange
rate fluctuations).
AlUla: A Living Laboratory for Design and Innovation
Through the AlUla Design Award, AlUla continues to evolve as
a dynamic design laboratory—a place where artisans, designers, and thinkers
collaborate to create a new creative language that blends tradition with
sustainability. This initiative is part of the RCU’s broader mission to
cultivate a sustainable cultural economy, support creative talent, encourage
international exchange, and promote design innovation both in Saudi Arabia and
globally.
Source: www.designboom.com
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