Overview

Deadline: Saturday, 10 October 2020

Sharjah Art Foundation announces an open call for the second edition of the FOCAL POINT Publishing Grant, furthering the Foundation’s mission to advance scholarly research and publish content that generates a more expansive understanding of the history of art in the region and its relationship with the wider world. The 2020 edition of the grant will support one or more art historical research projects that focus on global modernism in relation to artists, practices and/or theoretical content produced in the MEASA (Middle East, Africa and South Asia) region during the post-war period.

For the 2020 grant cycle, the Foundation invites proposals for publications in two categories exploring global modernism in the MEASA region: long-form essays of unpublished and original research or new readings of historical content, and reproductions of critical historical texts or small publications that have been out of print for at least 10 years, either published between the 1940s to the 1960s or engage with content from the period. Texts in both Arabic and English are accepted, and individual scholars, research teams, publishing houses and public institutions are eligible to apply. In addition to providing funding, Sharjah Art Foundation will publish the text from its publishing platform and provide design and printing support.

Since its establishment in 2009, Sharjah Art Foundation has published a variety of books on modern and contemporary art, including artist books, catalogues and scholarly volumes. 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 local, regional and international audiences interested in contemporary art and publishing.

The inaugural edition of the FOCAL POINT Publishing Grant in 2019 was awarded to Ma3azef, an online magazine dedicated to the critique and analysis of contemporary music, to support the launch of a series of print publications in collaboration with Beirut-based design studio SHFRA.

The 2020 FOCAL POINT publishing grant recipients will have the opportunity to present their work at future editions of FOCAL POINT Art Book Fair, the Foundation’s annual fair dedicated to presenting varied printed matter across the UAE, the MEASA region and the world.

The application deadline for the 2020 grant cycle is Saturday, 10 October 2020. Interested applicants should complete the application form here.

For more information and for the terms and conditions, 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 Contacts

Sharjah Art Foundation:
Alyazeyah Al Reyaysa, alyazeyah@sharjahart.org, +971(0)65444113