The Annual Student Art Show returns this November with an expanded international platform connecting art, education, culture, innovation, and the next generation of young creatives
Dubai, UAE – September 2026: The Annual Student Art Show (ASAS) returns for its sixth edition this November with “Eras of Art – A Journey Through Time,” an immersive theme inviting young creatives to explore the evolution of artistic expression while creating their own interpretations for the present and future.
Organized by Funun Arts Group and Youth Creative Minds Hub, in partnership with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and in collaboration with Amity University Dubai, ASAS 2026 will begin with a VIP Preview on 13 November, followed by the main event on 14–15 November 2026 at Amity University Dubai.
Over six editions, ASAS has evolved into a multicultural creative platform bringing together students, schools, universities, educators, professional artists, mentors, and creative communities. The 2026 edition will take the experience beyond a conventional student exhibition, connecting art with education, culture, architecture, fashion, design, entrepreneurship, and youth engagement.
ASAS 2025, presented under the theme “We Are One,” welcomed more than 1,200 participants representing over 60 nationalities and showcased 1,000+ artworks. The fifth edition also achieved two world-record recognitions, including the Largest International Student Art Show and a record for the 150-metre themed collaborative canvas painting, “We Are One.”
For its sixth edition, ASAS moves from celebrating unity across cultures to exploring creativity across time.
Through “Eras of Art – A Journey Through Time,” students will explore how art has evolved through different periods, cultures, and creative movements. Rather than simply recreating historical styles, participants will be encouraged to understand the ideas, societies, philosophies, and innovations that shaped them before developing their own contemporary interpretations.
As the collaborating university and host venue for ASAS 2026, Amity University Dubai brings an academic and interdisciplinary dimension to the initiative.
Dr. Saher Nabi, Head of Marketing & Compliance, Amity University Dubai, said:
“The Annual Art Show 2026, themed ‘Eras of Art,’ will unfold over three immersive days, taking participants on a journey through the evolution of art and its changing relationship with culture, society, technology, philosophy and the human experience.
“Through the exploration of different artistic eras, students will examine their defining characteristics while developing their own creative perspectives and contemporary interpretations. The exhibition positions art as an evolving dialogue between the past, present and future, encouraging participants to discover how artistic expression continues to respond to and shape the world around us.”
Reflecting Amity University Dubai’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning, experimentation and innovation, the program aims to encourage creative exchange and inspire new ways of seeing, interpreting, and representing the world through art.
Harjyot Oberoi, Head of Marketing & Strategic Partnerships, Funun Arts Group, highlighted the role of strategic collaborations in expanding the reach and impact of the platform.
“The strength of ASAS lies in the ecosystem that has grown around it. Bringing together cultural institutions, universities, schools, creative professionals, industry partners and communities allows us to create opportunities for young people that extend far beyond the exhibition itself. Each collaboration adds a new dimension to their experience—whether through learning, mentorship, exposure, innovation or meaningful industry interaction.”
This growing ecosystem is further strengthened by 19AGH as PR & Marketing Partner and Ahmed Al Maghribi Perfumes as Supporting Partner for ASAS 2026.
Ayush Gupta, 19AGH, said:“ASAS has developed into a powerful platform for young creativity, and we are pleased to support its journey by helping amplify the stories, experiences and voices behind the initiative to wider audiences.”
Mr. Naimuddin Syed, Marketing Head, Ahmed Al Maghribi Perfumes, said:
“We are pleased to support ASAS 2026 and an initiative that encourages young people to express their creativity, explore new ideas and grow with confidence. Supporting the next generation and meaningful community initiatives reflects values that are important to us.”
For Shiba Khan, Founder & Director of Funun Arts Group, ASAS is about giving young people opportunities to explore creativity beyond the artwork itself.
“Every edition of ASAS is designed to give young people more than a space to exhibit. We want them to explore, experiment, collaborate and discover the possibilities that creativity can open for them. ‘Eras of Art – A Journey Through Time’ gives students an opportunity to look back at the artistic ideas that shaped generations, interpret them through their own experiences and create something that represents their voice today.
“For us, ASAS is about building confidence, encouraging creative thinking and bringing young minds from different cultures together on one platform. We want every participant to leave with a sense that they are not simply learning about the history of art—they are part of what comes next.”
The creative direction of ASAS 2026 has been developed to ensure that “Eras of Art” is experienced throughout the event rather than being limited to the artworks on display.
Farah Khan, Co-Founder & Creative Director of Funun Arts Group, said:
“With ‘Eras of Art,’ we did not want the theme to remain only on the exhibition walls. Our vision is to make the journey through art visible and experiential across ASAS 2026.
“From the exhibition and Creative Zone to workshops, fashion, architecture and collaborative installations, different elements will interpret how art has evolved across time. We want students to research the past, experiment in the present and create something that carries their own identity. The most exciting part is seeing how differently young minds can respond to the same theme.”
Alongside the main student exhibition, ASAS 2026 will feature workshops and masterclasses, Youth Talks, the Creative Zone, Student Art Market & Creative Startup Zone, collaborative projects, awards, and recognition program.
Two interdisciplinary experiences will further bring the theme to life. The Eras of Art Fashion Show will connect Funun Arts Group artists with fashion-design students to reinterpret different artistic eras through contemporary wearable concepts, while the Eras of Art Tunnel will bring artists together with architecture students to create an immersive spatial journey through the evolution of art.
Teachers from participating schools and institutions will also be invited to showcase their artworks, recognizing the educators who inspire and nurture young creative talent.
The Student Art Market & Creative Startup Zone will provide young creators with an opportunity to present artworks, products, and entrepreneurial ideas, introducing them to the relationship between creativity, innovation, and enterprise.
The sixth edition will continue expanding internationally through ASAS Global Chapters, school and university collaborations and participation from young creatives across different countries.
The partnership with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority further strengthens the cultural dimension of ASAS 2026 and its focus on nurturing young talent, encouraging cultural participation and connecting the next generation with the UAE’s creative ecosystem.
Students can participate across categories including Visual Arts, Photography, Digital Art, Sculpture, and Installation Art, while gaining opportunities for learning, mentorship, recognition, networking, and creative collaboration.
As the countdown to November begins, ASAS 2026 is inviting students, schools, universities, and young creatives to become part of a platform where history becomes inspiration, and the next generation is encouraged to create its own artistic chapter.
Every era had its artists. Now it is your era.
ASAS 2026 – Eras of Art: A Journey Through Time
VIP Preview: 13 November 2026
Main Event: 14–15 November 2026
Venue: Amity University Dubai
Organized by: Funun Arts Group & Youth Creative Minds Hub
In Partnership with: Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
In Collaboration with: Amity University Dubai
Registrations are now open.
