Fire Station: Artist in Residence and Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) have joined forces to unveil the "Humanity First" competition, a platform designed to underscore the significance of humanitarian work.
The competition, open to the public, will run until September 19. It seeks to recognise the often overlooked endeavours of individuals who engage in humanitarian work, highlighting their unwavering commitment to selflessly serving humanity.
The collaboration between Fire Station: Artist in Residence and QRCS reflects their shared commitment to cultivating a spirit of empathy and social responsibility within the community.
In a press statement, Fire Station director Khalifa Ahmad al-Obaidli said: “We are proud to announce our collaboration with Qatar Red Crescent, as we intertwine the universal language of art with the noble pursuits of humanitarian initiatives. Just as art transcends barriers and evokes emotions, much like humanitarian efforts that bridge divides and provide solace, this competition stands as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of art. It is a platform that champions social responsibility and compassion, embodying the shared values at the heart of our partnership”.
Participants are invited to submit personal artworks and art projects that promote the realm of humanitarian work. Submissions will be evaluated on their ability to capture the profound human essence within the artwork, their skillful representation of humanitarian efforts, their alignment with the messaging of QRCS, and their embodiment of the motto: "Saving Lives and Preserving Dignity."
Prizes provided by QRCS will be awarded to the top three winners: QR3,000, QR2,500, QR2,000, respectively. All participants will receive certificates of participation and appreciation from QRCS.
The competition is open to individuals aged 18 and above. Artwork dimensions should fall within the range of no less than 50 cm x 70 cm and no more than 120 cm x 120 cm. Participants have the freedom to select colours and materials.
The artwork should vividly express the theme of the competition (humanitarian values) and encompass the seven Fundamental Principles of QRCS: humanity, impartiality, unity, independence, universality, neutrality, and voluntary service.
In case the artwork features QRCS' logo or other attributions, they should remain the same with no alteration. All submitted artworks will become the property of QRCS, granting the organisation the right to utilise them in its publications available on QRCS’ and Fire Station’s websites.
The participation form must be securely affixed to the artwork (the form will be provided upon artwork submission). Participants must assert that the submitted work is entirely their own creation. Therefore, the work cannot be transferred or quoted without proper authorisation, and the participants bear full legal responsibility if the validity of this assertion is proven otherwise.
The assessment process is overseen by a specialised technical committee, responsible for evaluating the artworks and selecting the winners.
Hussein Aman al-Ali, director of Volunteering and Local Development Division at QRCS, stated: "It is our pleasure to work with Fire Station: Artist in Residence on this art competition, which combines artistic talent with a sense of humanitarian compassion. Partnership is a cornerstone of our humanitarian and community development efforts, both locally and internationally. Together with Fire Station, we can further promote a culture of humanitarianism and volunteerism among the youth, the future leaders of Qatar’s humanitarian and community service sector”.
Fire Station: Artist in Residence is an integral component of Qatar Museums’ Creative Hub, which undertakes and backs initiatives aiming to establish a robust and enduring cultural foundation.
By means of exhibitions, workshops, and cultural undertakings, Fire Station endeavours to cultivate a lively art environment, while evoking constructive transformation within the community. The collaboration with QRCS for the "Humanity First" competition naturally aligns with Fire Station's dedication to advancing socially aware initiatives.