This compilation is a resource for those seeking arts and culture opportunities in the UAE and beyond

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.


Tejumola Olaniyan Creative Writers-in-Residence Fellowship
The Africa Institute, Sharjah
Deadline: 17 April 2025


This residency program welcomes applications from creative writers, including novelists, short story writers, playwrights, poets and scriptwriters, whose work relates to Africa and the African diaspora. The grant of 50,000 AED includes accommodation, a return airfare ticket, visa and a monthly stipend of 10,000 AED per month per fellow.


https://www.theafricainstitute.org/institute-program/tejumola-olaniyan-creative-writers-fellowship/


Arts Intensive Study Program
Fire Station, Doha
Deadline: 20 April 2025


Fire Station is pleased to announce the 2025/26 Open Call for the Arts Intensive Study Program. This is a transformative opportunity for emerging visual artists to engage in an immersive, interdisciplinary environment where they can refine their technical skills, deepen their conceptual approaches, and expand their artistic practices. The fully funded program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to foster critical thinking, hands-on learning, and professional development for a cohort of 20 emerging international and َQatari artists. The program is led by Artistic Director Wael Shawky.


https://firestation.org.qa/en/opportunities/open-calls/


Curatorial Open Call
Art Jameel, Jeddah
Deadline: 25 April 2025


Art Jameel launches a Curatorial Open Call for exhibition proposals, to be developed for Hayy Arts’s first floor gallery at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah for May 2026. Exhibition proposals should engage with themes pertaining to the Red Sea – including but not limited to its connected geographies, histories, ecologies or the movement of people and ideas. The awarded curator will work alongside the Art Jameel team who will provide guidance on the exhibition’s development, exhibition production and design, logistics, and installation.
Award Details:
Curatorial fee of 37,500 SAR.
Curator travel and accommodation fees to be covered by Art Jameel.
Artists fees, travel and accommodation will be covered by Art Jameel.
All related exhibition costs to do with producing, installing and promoting the exhibition will be covered by Art Jameel.


https://hayyjameel.org/whats-on/art-jameel-curatorial-open-call-2/


Open Call: Archival Cassette Tape Correspondence
Sharjah Art Foundation
Deadline: 8 May 2025

Individuals, families and communities are invited to contribute cassette tape recordings to an ongoing project that seeks to explore and preserve the history of voice correspondence in the UAE.


https://www.sharjahart.org/en/news/details/open-call-archival-cassette-tape-correspondence


Sharjah Film Platform Feature Fund
Sharjah Art Foundation
Deadline: 31 May 2025


The Sharjah Film Platform Feature Fund is offering one UAE-based scriptwriter, director or lead/executive producer the opportunity to receive a grant of up to 500,000 AED. The Fund will support the completion of an English- or Arabic-language feature-length narrative film currently under production.


https://www.sharjahart.org/en/news/details/open-call-for-the-sharjah-film-platform-feature-fund


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