MATATO has unveiled its annual art competition and exhibition, ‘Frame by MATATO’.

‘Frame by MATATO’ is an initiative that celebrates creativity among the Maldivian society and promotes the island nation’s rich culture through the lens of tourism.

In a press release issued on Monday, MATATO highlighted that the flagship event seeks to spark interest within the local creative community and present the exceptional artistic talents of Maldivians to both tourists and the general public.

The theme for the 2025 edition revolves around ‘The Maldivian Mystic’, marking the first-ever exhibition in the Maldives to bring local folklore to life through art.

Artists in four age categories are invited to participate and submit their work in a variety of mediums including drawings, paintings, 3D models, installations and sculptures, from 10 December 2024 to 20 January 2025.

MATATO highlighted that all submissions will be carefully evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges featuring experts from the Maldives and abroad.

10 entries from each age category will be shortlisted for the grand Art Exhibition at the National Art Gallery, scheduled for the first week of February 2025.

Winners will be chosen through public voting for the first time in ‘Frame by MATATO’, giving attendees a unique chance to engage directly with both the artwork and the artists.

Leading institutions are supporting this groundbreaking event including the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Art, the Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture, and Heritage, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), the National Centre for the Arts (NCA), the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), the Maldivian Artist Community (MAC) and the National Hotels and Guesthouses Association of Maldives (NHGAM).

‘Frame by MATATO’ aims to elevate Maldivian art and culture on the global stage, offering a platform for artists of all ages to share their visions and interpretations of the ‘Maldivian Mystic’ through this collaboration.

Individuals may visit www.framebymatato.com for more information and to submit their entries to participate.

Thriving for the development of the Maldivian tourism industry through unity, empowerment and cooperation, MATATO is an NGO that has been a strong partner in developing tourism in the Maldives over the course of the last 18 years.