Overview
The Publishing Grant invites project proposals from cultural producers such as: art and culture scholars, translators, writers, editors, independent publishers and publishing houses, collectives and non-profit institutions. We seek projects that contribute to the production of original ideas and critical thinking and that pursue an experimental and innovative approach to publishing.
Sharjah Art Foundation will provide a total of 30,000 USD to multiple grantees to support projects that stand out for their intellectual, graphic and material qualities. The requested grant amount per project must not exceed 15,000 USD.
To learn about past grant recipients and their projects, click here.
Criteria for Evaluation
• Feasibility: realistic goals and timeline are imperative. The project must be completed in time for launch at the 2024 edition of Focal Point, Sharjah Art Foundation’s annual art book fair.
• Content: we encourage a research-based and/or experimental approach to a variety of art-related topics and formats, including, but not limited to, artist zines, comics, graphic novels, publication reprints, critical texts, artist writings and narrative.
• Impact: we value a project’s potential to offer new understandings of publishing practices outside of mainstream publishing; projects that are non-commercial and independent or that serve as catalysts for expanding research on an understudied topic or that promote diversity of thought, authorship and radical forms of public engagement.
• Capacity: applicants should be able to demonstrate existing knowledge and ability to carry out the project successfully through access to necessary resources outside of the grant request.
How to Apply
● Applications must be submitted through this link.
● Deadline for application is 11:59 pm UAE local time (GMT +4), Sunday, 30 July 2023. Submissions after the deadline will not be considered.
● In case your query is not answered in the FAQs section below, contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and mention Publishing Grant 2023 in the subject line.
FAQs
Can I apply with multiple projects?
No, multiple entries will be automatically disqualified.
What is the maximum grant amount allocated to an individual project?
A single grant request must not exceed 15,000 USD.
What is the timeline to finish the project?
Grant recipients should budget sufficient time to plan, implement, publish and ship their printed projects to Sharjah on or before 1 November 2024.
We are a collective of two (or more) members. How do we ensure all our names and biographical data are included in the application?
We advise collectives to apply with their collective name and include the biography of the collective in the application form. In case of a successful application, one member can be chosen as a legal representative and the main point of contact.
Is it mandatory for the project to be in Arabic and/or English?
Yes. The final project must be presented in Arabic and/or English, in addition to any other language.
How should I distribute the grant money?
Grant money should be used towards research and fee-based activities such as honoraria, writing, editing, translation, image reproduction and licensing, designing, printing and shipping to Sharjah.
I am applying with a project that has been published before. Am I still eligible to apply?
Only projects that have never been published, at least not with an ISBN and/or for commercial distribution, qualify.
Whose responsibility is it to secure all related rights to reproduce or reprint archival material?
Applicants must already hold or agree to obtain all related rights, licences and permissions to reproduce or reprint any relevant archival material or images, including licensing support from other funding organisations/institutions at the time of application and for the finished project.
Who owns the rights to aesthetic and intellectual content?
Copyright to all aesthetic and intellectual content will remain with the applicant. Successful grant recipients should agree to acknowledge Sharjah Art Foundation’s support in all published media and accord the Foundation worldwide rights to the reproduction, distribution, public communication and adaptation of the project.
Will I have the rights to republish the project later?
Primary publishing rights should be shared with Sharjah Art Foundation. Any second or new editions and rights to republish should be discussed with the Foundation. Rights will not be unreasonably withheld.
Who is responsible for the distribution of the finished project?
Sharjah Art Foundation is the primary point of dissemination and contact for distributors in the Gulf region. Grant recipients are also encouraged to promote the material through their personal networks and channels.
What is the total number of copies to be considered when budgeting for the grant?
It depends on the scope and purpose of the project. The total can vary from a limited-edition print run to up to 1,000 copies. We do not recommend going over 1,000 offset copies.
How do I decide the price of the published project?
The price of the finished project is decided by the grant recipient based on total costs incurred during the project’s production.
How many copies does Sharjah Art Foundation retain?
The Foundation will ask the grantee to provide between 20 to 40 per cent of the total print run to be placed in libraries and institutions and to sell them at our shops for the price set by the grantee. Please note that in case of sale through the Foundation’s distribution networks, the grant recipient is not entitled to royalties.
In addition to providing funding, what else does Sharjah Art Foundation cover?
● The winner(s) will be provided a round-trip air ticket in economy class and hotel accommodation in Sharjah to launch their completed project at Focal Point and participate in the talks programme.
● The Foundation will promote the works through its own marketing and distribution network.
● If required, the Foundation can connect grant recipients to its network of editors, translators, designers, printers and shippers to support the process of producing the publication.
Which projects are not eligible for the grant?
Projects in the following categories are not eligible for the Publishing Grant:
● Including but not limited to fictional novel, drama, screenplay, poetry and biographies.
● Proposals for exhibition catalogues or monographs associated with another institution or commercial space.
● Projects where funding is intended to cover infrastructure and equipment costs as well as the costs of operating cultural facilities, archives and collections.
When will the results of the grant be announced?
Winning project(s) will be announced in Autumn 2023 on our social media platforms.