Emirates Airlines has launched a competition to find the 'most exciting budding artist in the world,' whose winning artwork will replace the designs of renowned artists, such as Damien Hirst, on the membership cards of its frequent flyer programme, Skywards.

The winners will receive a commission of $5,000, enjoy global exposure and recognition for their work and will be flown to Dubai, where their winning design artwork (and other art in their portfolios) will be displayed at the Art Dubai fair in March 2011.

Art Dubai is the leading contemporary art fair in the Mena and South Asia, attended by art critics, collectors and gallery owners from around the world.

This new competition will be annual and open to budding artists around the globe, except for the US and Italy. All styles of art, including sculpture, photography and paintings will be welcome.

The deadline for submitting artwork is August 31. Winners will be announced on September 25.

There will be three winning entries, which will be used on the Skywards membership cards, as well as all supporting online and offline communications and promotional material. Each artist’s name will be displayed beside their winning artwork.-TradeArabia News Service