Art Jameel, an initiative of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives (ALJCI), has launched the 6th annual Art Jameel Photography Award (AJPA).

The award seeks to discover talented photographers and help them develop their skills and exhibit exceptional photography. For the first time, this year’s competition is open to nationals and residents across the GCC, having previously been open to Saudi Arabia alone.

The competition has received wide support by arts and cultural organizations across the Gulf. This year, the AJPA’s photography partners are Nuqat, Kuwait; Maraya Centre, East Wing, the UAE; and MuscArt, Oman. The competition is also supported by its cultural partner — the Saudi Arabian Society of Culture and Arts (SASCA).

The theme of the competition this year — Transitions — reflects today’s changing society. Male and female entrants of 18 years and above are required to produce a single photograph, or series of photographs that capture transitions from social, conceptual, cultural, economic, personal or even technical perspectives.

Photographers from different fields are encouraged to enter. In 2013 the competition was opened to residents of all nationalities living in Saudi Arabia and this year is accepting submissions from across the GCC countries.

As part of the award, entrants will be invited to workshops led by experienced and internationally known photographers and experts in Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE and Kuwait between August and November 2015. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in December 2015.

Dalya Mousa, Art Jameel program manager, said: “This year, we are expanding the competition to include artistic talent from the entire Gulf region, which marks expansion of the Art Jameel Photography Award and recognizes the abundance of talent we have in our region.”

Applications opened on July 1 and will close on Oct. 31. Submissions can be made via the competition website.