American luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co. has partnered with Design Commission Abu Dhabi (DCAD) to launch the Tiffany & Co. Design Residency Program, a specialized initiative dedicated to jewelry and watch design. Bringing together the UAE’s cultural heritage and Tiffany & Co.’s design expertise, the program will provide emerging designers with opportunities spanning education, creative development and international professional experience.
Summary
Tiffany & Co. has partnered with Design Commission Abu Dhabi (DCAD) to launch the Tiffany & Co. Design Residency Program for jewelry and watch design.
The residency runs from November 2026 to April 2027, with weekly Saturday sessions in Abu Dhabi, selecting ten participants through an open call.
Applications are open to UAE residents with foundational jewelry and/or watch design knowledge, submitted via DCAD between August 17 and September 20, 2026.
The program concludes with a Capstone Exhibition in May 2027.
The three highest-performing residents will receive three-month internships at Tiffany & Co.’s New York headquarters (June–August 2027).
Bringing Together Emirati Culture and Tiffany & Co.’s Design Legacy
Chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, DCAD is working to position Abu Dhabi as a global destination for design and creativity through education, international collaboration and professional development.
The residency will unite Emirati culture, Abu Dhabi’s architecture and artistic heritage with nearly two centuries of design innovation and craftsmanship at Tiffany & Co. Jewelry and watchmaking will be approached as contemporary creative disciplines in which materials, technical expertise and cultural storytelling converge.
Developing an Individual Design Language Through Experimentation
Participants will study the conceptual, creative and technical foundations of jewelry and watch design while conducting research, experimenting with materials and developing new ideas. Beyond learning established practices, each resident will be encouraged to form an individual design language and creative identity.
The program will include workshops, mentorship and an immersive educational experience led by Tiffany & Co. Residents will gain the design thinking, technical knowledge and creative methodologies required to transform their ideas into contemporary jewelry and watch concepts.
Founded in New York City in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany, Tiffany & Co. currently operates more than 300 stores worldwide. More than 3,000 skilled artisans cut Tiffany diamonds and craft jewelry in the company’s own workshops. The residency will allow participants to engage with the specialist knowledge and creative practices developed throughout the House’s history.
Ten Residents to Be Selected
The residency will run from November 2026 to April 2027, with weekly sessions taking place every Saturday at a dedicated venue in Abu Dhabi.
Ten participants will be selected through an open call. Applications are open to UAE residents of all nationalities who possess foundational knowledge of jewelry and/or watch design. Candidates must submit an application and portfolio through DCAD’s official website between August 17 and September 20, 2026.
The program will conclude with a Capstone Exhibition in May 2027. The exhibition will present the residents’ final projects within the broader cultural landscape of Abu Dhabi.
Three Participants to Receive Internships at Tiffany & Co.’s New York Headquarters
The three highest-performing residents will be awarded three-month internships at Tiffany & Co.’s New York headquarters. Scheduled to take place from June through August 2027, the internships will offer direct exposure to the working environment and design processes of one of the world’s most internationally recognized jewelry houses.
By combining education, mentorship, public presentation and international professional experience within a single initiative, the residency goes beyond conventional creative training. Connecting regional cultural identity with the expertise of a global luxury House, the program aims to develop a new generation of designers while strengthening the talent infrastructure supporting Abu Dhabi’s creative economy.
Applications can be submitted through the official DCAD program page.
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