Overview

Sharjah Art Foundation invites art and cultural scholars, independent publishers and publishing houses, collectives and public institutions to submit proposals for a project that will contribute to the production of original ideas and critical thinking and will take an experimental and innovative approach to publishing in the broader discourse on art and culture.
The 2021 edition of the FOCAL POINT Publishing Grant extends the Foundation’s mission to provide opportunities that contribute to interdisciplinary publishing practices in the region. The grant is committed to supporting printed matter that stands out for its intellectual, graphic and material qualities.

The grant is issued in conjunction with the annual FOCAL POINT Art Book Fair which showcases printed matter by artists, writers, scholars and publishers from the UAE, the MEASA region and across the world. The fair will take place from 9–11 December 2021 at Bait Obaid Al Shamsi, Arts Square.

The Foundation will provide a total of USD 30,000 to multiple grantees in addition to publishing and distribution support across the following three categories:

Long-form essays (6,000+ words) that will utilise unpublished original research or offer new readings of ideas and themes pertaining to solidarity within Global South networks, such as the MEASA (Middle East, Africa, and South Asia) region; underrepresented histories; or a new collection or anthology. The grant winning essay will be printed in a small reader format.

Reproduction of small publications, specifically any avant-garde experimental art that requires translation. This includes publications that have been out of print for the last 10 years and could be revised, updated and supplemented with a new academic introduction. Publications in languages other than English are encouraged to apply.

The newly added experimental publications category invites printed matter on a variety of topics and media including but not limited to: cookbooks, picture books, personal anecdotes, travelogues, geography books, artist zines, comics, graphic novels, children books, illustrated material and combinations of the above or any other type. While the final project must be presented in a printed format, an e-book version or digital reading component is encouraged.

Since its establishment in 2009, Sharjah Art Foundation has published a variety of books on modern and contemporary art, including artist books, exhibition catalogues and critical essays. The Foundation supports the research-based efforts of visiting artists, curators and scholars year-round and publishes catalogues for biennials and curated exhibitions, which are made available to audiences interested in contemporary art and publishing.
The 2020 grant recipients were Ali Essafi, Ridha Moumni, Gabriella Nugent and hākārā, who were selected from more than 100 submissions. The winners shared a total of USD 27,000 that supported research projects in the Long-Form Essay and Publication Reprint categories. In line with the overarching theme of Sharjah Biennial 15, which is highlighted in its title—Thinking Historically in the Present—the grant’s open call was directed towards supporting art historical research focusing on global modernism in the MEASA (Middle East, Africa and South Asia) region. Individual scholars, research teams, publishing houses and public institutions were all invited to submit proposals.
The application deadline is 11:59 PM (GST) on 15 November 2021. Submissions after the deadline will not be accepted.


For additional information and to apply, visit sharjahart.org.

About Sharjah Art Foundation

Sharjah Art Foundation is an advocate, catalyst and producer of contemporary art within the Emirate of Sharjah and the surrounding region, in dialogue with the international arts community. Under the leadership of founder Hoor Al Qasimi, a curator and artist, the Foundation advances an experimental and wide-ranging programmatic model that supports the production and presentation of contemporary art, preserves and celebrates the distinct culture of the region and encourages a shared understanding of the transformational role of art. The Foundation’s core initiatives include the long-running Sharjah Biennial, featuring contemporary artists from around the world; the annual March Meeting, a convening of international arts professionals and artists; grants and residencies for artists, curators and cultural producers; ambitious and experimental commissions; and a range of travelling exhibitions and scholarly publications.
Established in 2009 to expand programmes beyond the Sharjah Biennial, which launched in 1993, the Foundation is a critical resource for artists and cultural organisations in the Gulf and a conduit for local, regional and international developments in contemporary art. The Foundation’s deep commitment to developing and sustaining the cultural life and heritage of Sharjah is reflected through year-round exhibitions, performances, screenings and educational programmes in the city of Sharjah and across the Emirate, often hosted in historic buildings that have been repurposed as cultural and community centres. A growing collection reflects the Foundation’s support of contemporary artists in the realisation of new work and its recognition of the contributions made by pioneering modern artists from the region and around the world. Sharjah Art Foundation is a legally independent public body established by Emiri Decree and supported by government funding, grants from national and international non-profits and cultural organisations, corporate sponsors and individual patrons. All exhibitions and events are free and open to the public.

About Sharjah

Sharjah is the third-largest of the seven United Arab Emirates, and the only one bridging the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Reflecting the deep commitment to the arts, architectural preservation and cultural education embraced by its ruler, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Sharjah is home to more than 20 museums and has long been known as the cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates. In 1998, it was named UNESCO's 'Arab Capital of Culture' and was designated the UNESCO ‘World Book Capital’ for the year 2019.

Media Contact
Alyazeyah Al Marri, alyazeyah@sharjahart.org, +971(0)65444113