Unleash your creativity and honour Bahraini heritage with the Contemporary Crafts Competition 2024, a celebration of innovation and traditional artistry.

Calling all artists and designers for a chance to shine, as the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) puts a spotlight on the nation’s rich artisanal heritage through the Contemporary Crafts Competition 2024. Launched to coincide with World Creativity and Innovation Day on April 21, this annual event honours the Kingdom’s traditional crafts while encouraging innovative design.

This second edition of the competition is an open call that welcomes entries from Bahraini, regional and international artisans, designers and artists from all backgrounds, including architects, interior designers, product designers, graphic designers and digital designers. Whether you are a company, a collective, a freelancer, manufacturer, hobbyist or a student; all are invited to submit creative works that conceptualise premium retail products and VIP gifts. Categories include pottery, textile weaving, palm frond weaving and basketry, traditional chest making and carpentry, coffee pot making and metalsmithing, embroidery and dressmaking, Bahraini dhows and ships, as well as crafts relating to the sea.

The competition aims to promote the industrial design culture and the aesthetics of interior objects, as well as modern approaches to working with natural materials. It seeks to explore new design possibilities and understand the aesthetic and functional aspects of art/design. Participants are encouraged to submit works that are innovative, natural, sustainable and versatile, considering form, function and ergonomics. They must reflect Bahraini heritage and handicrafts, be it in the concept development, use of materials or applying traditional techniques to the production process. Submissions should also demonstrate thorough research and design process, including data collection.

The deadline for submissions has been extended to October 1 and it can be done through the BACA website, www.culture.gov.bh, with winners to be announced at a later date. ✤

GO: EMAIL HANDICRAFTS@CULTURE.GOV.BH
OR VISIT BACA’S INSTAGRAM PAGE @CULTUREBAH
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND THE LATEST UPDATES.