Open calls and opportunities for artists and art practitioners

Overview:

Along with announcements of our year-round open calls and grants, which support emerging and established artists working in contemporary art, Sharjah Art Foundation has compiled a list of reputable local, regional and international open calls, educational opportunities, grants and residencies in other institutions. In keeping with the Foundation’s commitment to supporting the art community, this reference tool is updated on a regular basis.

Open Call: Echoes of the Shells—Musical Tales from the Red Sea
Hayy Jameel, Jeddah
Deadline: 15 August 2024

Selected applicants, together with FLEE art collective and writer Nouf Abdulkarim, will immerse themselves in a seven-day workshop, documenting and researching the sounds of the Red Sea. The exchange will be an opportunity to learn different ways to interact, document and research art forms.

https://hayyjameel.org/

Open Call: The Chemistry of Feeling [Vol II]
Gulf Photo Plus, Dubai
Deadline: 22 August 2024

Gulf Photo Plus invites photographers based-in/from the SWANA region to submit film photography that reflects compelling storytelling, to potentially be a part of its upcoming community exhibition this September.

Photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to apply, and are invited to explore analogue by making the best of the medium—no matter the format, development technique or film type. Photographers can submit up to 10 images; successful entries will be exhibited at Gulf Photo Plus in Warehouse D36, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai.

https://gulfphotoplus.com/

Research Grant
Alserkal Arts Foundation, Dubai
Deadline: 1 September 2024

The Research Grants awards individuals and collectives amounts of 5,000 USD to 10,000 USD in funding for projects to be completed over two years. The programme will award three grants for the 2025–2027 cycle.

The Alserkal Arts Foundation seeks applications that demonstrate an interest in pursuing intersectional and experimental approaches to research. The award welcomes applications from practices that have been impacted by or are attentive to the violence and polarisation that we are witnessing today. Grant awardees may include multidisciplinary visual and sonic artists, architects, writers, independent publishers, documentary filmmakers, educators, geographers, historians, economists and more.

https://alserkal.online/event/research-grants-2025-2027

Open Call: 11th ADPP Mentorship
Arab Documentary Photography Program (ADPP), Beirut
Deadline: 12 September 2024

The 11th cycle of the ADPP Mentorship invites emerging Arab photographers to apply for a production grant, mentorship and professional network.

The programme provides up to eight photographers with a 7,000 USD grant to work on projects in their country of residence over a period of 10 months. The grant may be used to begin a new project or to complete work on an existing project.

In addition, ADPP grantees will benefit from mentorship provided by distinguished programme mentors. They will be required to attend three specialised workshops (two in-person and one virtual) to help them develop and produce their projects and consider avenues for distribution. Photographers can apply to the ADPP in either English or Arabic. To facilitate exchanges, access to translations will be provided throughout the programme.

https://www.arabculturefund.org/Programs/17

The Art Circle Award 2024
The Art Circle, Abu Dhabi
Deadline: 15 September 2024

The mission of this award is to support the local art scene and offer a platform to highlight talented artists through a physical exhibition presenting the top finalists and offering a financial award to the winner. All finalists will receive a certificate of participation and social media coverage.

The Art Circle Award is by medium a painting and mixed media competition and each year holds a thematic to which the artists open call responds to. The open call invites artists to respond to their view of a map, maps or mapping, and how they see the world from their perspectives.
Open to nationals and residents of the United Arab Emirates, over the age of 18.

https://www.theartcircle.ae/award

International Awards for Art Criticism
International Awards for Art Criticism, Shanghai and Edinburgh
Deadline: 15 September 2024

The 10th Edition of the International Awards for Art Criticism invites international candidates to submit a review—1,500 words in English or 2,500 Chinese characters—about any contemporary art exhibition held anywhere in world or online between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024.

The First Prize will consist of a cash award of 10,000 Euros (pre-tax) or the RMB equivalent of this amount. Each of the three Second Prizes includes a cash award of 3,500 Euros (pre-tax) or the RMB equivalent of this amount.

http://www.iaac-m21.com

Open Call: Chennai Photo Biennale 4
Chennai Photo Biennale, India
Deadline: 20 September 2024

The Chennai Photo Biennale 4 (CPB4) International Open Call invites photographers and artists of any age from anywhere in the world. Photographic work from any niche, documentary, portraiture, nature, climate and environment, and other genres is allowed and will be exhibited as part of CPB4.

Submissions must be photographic or lens-based but can include combinations with other art forms such as performance, painting, sculpture, music, literature and more.

https://opencall.chennaiphotobiennale.com/

The information shared here has been sourced from the online platforms of the listed institutions.