Salik and Dubai Culture Launch the "Dubai Heritage Through Your Vision" Competition

Salik, the exclusive operator of toll gates in Dubai, and the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority "Dubai Culture" have announced the launch of the "Dubai Heritage Through Your Vision" competition. The competition aims to provide an opportunity for the community of artists, creatives, and youth to contribute to designing the new Salik cards, reflecting their visions, embodying Dubai's creative spirit, and highlighting the emirate's cultural diversity and unique artistic scene.

The competition aligns with the "Dubai Heritage" initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, to revive Dubai's historical memory by documenting, collecting, and preserving stories and life experiences that illustrate the development of Dubai and the lives of its people across generations.

Salik has begun accepting entries for the competition, which offers total prizes of 100,000 AED (27,000 USD) and continues until January 19. Winners will be announced during the 14th edition of the Sikka Arts and Design Festival, organized by Dubai Culture from January 23 to February 1, 2026, in the historic Al Shindagha district.

The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of 15,000 USD, the second-place winner will be awarded 7,000 USD, and the third-place winner will receive 5,000 USD.

A committee comprising representatives from the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Culture, and Salik will evaluate the works and select the winners. The competition aims to discover artists, designers, and creatives from various disciplines, support and encourage them to continue their passion, and offer unique artistic experiences that stimulate innovation within the creative community. It also supports cultural and creative talents in Dubai, aligning with Dubai Culture's responsibilities to realize Dubai's vision, establish its position as a global cultural hub, a cradle of creativity, and a meeting point for talents.

Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, said: "Our collaboration with Dubai Culture in the 'Dubai Heritage Through Your Vision' competition represents an extension of Salik's commitment to empowering talents and supporting youth creativity, and establishing art as a pivotal element in shaping Dubai's future identity. The competition responds to the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and contributes to enhancing 'Dubai Heritage' by providing an innovative space that adds value to our digital solutions and services and contributes to developing a smart and sustainable transport system. It also opens the door for the new generation to participate in designing the cards that accompany users on their daily journeys across the city. Through this partnership, we look forward to inspiring promising talents in schools, universities, and the creative community to present works that reflect Dubai's renewed spirit and translate its ambitions to consolidate its leading global position in innovation and quality of life."

Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Arts, Design, and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, emphasized the authority's keenness to develop the local cultural sector, enhance the skills of creative community members, and make art accessible to everyone. She noted that Dubai Culture's collaboration with Salik represents an inspiring milestone to enrich artists' experiences and encourage them to unleash their imagination and develop their products. She said: "The 'Dubai Through Your Vision' competition is a new initiative to highlight the uniqueness of Dubai's essence, history, and masterpieces, spread a culture of creativity, inspire the spirit of innovation among talented individuals, and encourage them to invest the emirate's cultural and heritage wealth in expressing their diverse visions and experiences, transforming them into distinctive artworks that contribute to strengthening the cultural and creative industries and raising the artistic and visual taste level in the emirate."

Salik and Dubai Culture invite all artists, practitioners, designers, calligraphers, and graffiti art professionals to participate in the competition by submitting their innovative ideas and proposals to create customized cards, enrich Salik's design library, and increase public engagement with the brand by exploring and acquiring new designs.

Participants must submit distinctive ideas that demonstrate their commitment to innovation. Designs must be original, contemporary, not previously displayed or produced, and must not conflict with the values and traditions of the local community.