The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has launched the Frame by MATATO art competition, inviting artists to submit their work for this annual event that celebrates Maldivian creativity and highlights the nation’s cultural heritage through the lens of tourism.

Artists of all ages can participate by submitting a variety of artistic expressions, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, 3D models, and installations, between December 10, 2024, and January 20, 2025.

From each age category, 10 entries will be selected to be featured in a grand exhibition at the National Art Gallery, set for the February 8, 2025.

The theme for the 2025 edition, 'The Maldivian Mystic,' will focus on showcasing Maldivian folklore through art, making this the first-ever exhibition of its kind in the country.

All submissions will be carefully evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including both local and international experts. In a new development this year, the winners will be chosen through public voting, providing attendees with a direct role in selecting the best works.

The competition is backed of several prominent institutions, such as the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage, and the National Centre for the Arts.

Interested artists are encouraged to visit the competition’s website for additional information and to submit their entries.

MATATO, founded in 2006, is a non-profit organisation in the Maldives that has played a vital role in developing the tourism industry in the country.