More than 40 road tunnels across Dubai are being opened up as permanent public art canvases, with government authorities now accepting submissions from Emirati and UAE-based artists, designers, and architects.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and the Roads and Transport Authority launched the open call on May 11, extending an invitation to the local creative community to submit original artwork designs for tunnel walls across the city. The submission window closes at 23:59 UAE time on June 15, 2026.
The call is the third phase of the Dubai Tunnels Initiative, which is anchored in the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan — a long-term blueprint for building a city where public infrastructure serves cultural as well as functional purposes. Previous phases drew public attention and recognition, establishing the programme’s track record before this latest expansion.
Proposals will be assessed against both creative and technical criteria. Works must be original and previously unexhibited, with designs that reflect Dubai’s identity, heritage, and diversity. Because tunnel viewers are typically in motion, organisers are looking for bold, uncluttered compositions — free of text — that read clearly at speed. Ceramic tile systems are specifically preferred for their durability and ability to maintain colour under Dubai’s heat and weather conditions.
Each submission package must include a concept statement, presentation boards showing the proposed design and colour palette, and an implementation plan covering public safety and artwork protection during and after installation.
Artists can register and access the full submission guidelines through the Dubai Culture official website.
The initiative positions tunnel infrastructure — typically among the most overlooked spaces in urban environments — as a large-scale, government-backed platform for permanent public art reaching millions of daily commuters and visitors.
