The Jameel Prize is a global award that recognises the enduring influence of Islamic art and design on contemporary practices. Its sixth iteration will be the first thematic edition of the award and is exclusively dedicated to contemporary design inspired by Islamic tradition. To further diversify the application process, this new iteration of the prize will complement the existing nomination system with an open call for submissions.

The Jameel Prize was founded in 2009 by the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (V&A) and Art Jameel, to recognise the influence of Islamic tradition on contemporary culture and celebrate contemporary practitioners inspired by Islamic design and visual culture. Throughout its 10-year history, the prize has continued to evolve and grow; Jameel Prize 5 was jointly awarded for the first time -- to Iraqi artist Mehdi Moutashar and Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum. Through its five editions, the Jameel Prize has received more than 1,000 nominations from over 40 countries around the world; exhibited the work of 48 artists and designers; and toured 16 venues globally.

The V&A and Art Jameel announced substantial changes to the Jameel Prize, heralding in a new era for the world’s leading award for contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic tradition. Previously a mixed-media award, the next Jameel Prize is dedicated to a single discipline: in 2020-21, the focus will be contemporary design, allowing for increased exposure for fashion, product, graphic and craft designers inspired by Islamic traditions. Jameel Prize 6 will also be the first edition of the award to benefit from a dual application process, with the launch of a new open call for submissions in addition to its traditional nomination system.

Jameel Prize 6 sets out to highlight the extraordinary innovation and craftsmanship inherent in today’s design world; applications are welcome from practitioners across the discipline including fashion, jewellery, product, graphic, web, and speculative design, as well as typography, architecture, craft, and the applied arts. Applications can be submitted by practising designers plus other contemporary practitioners who identify particular works within their practice as design.

The Jameel Prize 6 exhibition will open at the V&A, London, in Summer 2021 before touring internationally; it will be the first exhibition to take place, globally, with a particular focus on innovative contemporary design inspired by Islamic traditions. Following the conclusion of the Jameel Prize 5 exhibition, which toured from the V&A to Dubai’s contemporary art institution Jameel Arts Centre in 2019, aiming to ever-enhance its relevance and impact.

Applications are open from 18 March until 31 May 2020. A renowned jury will meet and select from the applications a shortlist of notable design works, which will form the basis of a major exhibition.