December 2024: Open calls and opportunities for artists and art practitioners

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.

 

Etihad Museum Research Grant
Etihad Museum, Dubai
Deadline: 20 December 2024

Rooted in the Etihad Museum's intrinsic role as a dynamic platform for exploring Emirati identity, the 50,000 AED Etihad Museum Research Grant is an annual research grant programme. The grant awards one researcher with the unique opportunity to delve into Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s rich archive, responding directly to the Etihad Museum's diverse collection of artefacts, objects and narratives.

https://etihadmuseumresearchgrant.slideroom.com/#/login/program/78864 

 

Artist Residencies 
Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, Tashkent
Deadline: 5 January 2025

CCA Artist Residencies in collaboration with Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation has launched its inaugural Artist Residencies programme with the appointment of an international selection committee and is now launching an open call for artists and curators.

https://ccat.uz/pages/opencall 

 

Art Time Residencies: Performance
Mophradat, Brussels
Deadline: 1 February 2025

Mophradat has partnered once more with Kunstencentrum BUDA and NEXT festival in Belgium to offer a three-week residency for a performing artist to finalise a new performance using BUDA’s facilities and artistic support, and premiere their work at NEXT festival at the conclusion of the residency.

https://mophradat.org/en/program/art-time-residencies/performance/ 

 

Sharjah Film Platform Feature Fund
Sharjah Art Foundation
Deadline: 28 February 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 

 

Visual Arts Grant
Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, Beirut
Deadline: 4 April 2025

AFAC’s Visual Arts grant supports the production and exhibition of painting, sculpture, photography, installations, video and sound art, art publications and multimedia works.

The Visual Arts grant programme provides annual grants of up to 20,000 USD for individuals and teams, and up to 35,000 USD for collectives and institutions.

https://www.arabculturefund.org/Programs/22 

 

Performing Arts Grant
Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, Beirut
Deadline: 4 April 2025

AFAC’s Performing Arts grant supports the production and distribution of classical, folk and contemporary forms of theatre and dance performances for all age groups. The grant also supports public and site-specific interventions, performance art and festivals as well as training and workshops in playwriting, acting, directing, dancing and choreography.

The Performing Arts grant programme provides annual grants of up to 25,000 USD or individuals and teams, and up to 35,000 USD for collectives and institutions.

https://www.arabculturefund.org/Programs/23 

 

Creative and Critical Writings Open Call
Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, Beirut 
Deadline: 4 April 2025

AFAC’s Creative and Critical Writings grant provides support to critical arts and culture writing, children’s and youth literature (including both adaptation and original work), graphic novels, short stories and poetry, in addition to analogue and digital publishing platforms. The final product must be in Arabic.

The Creative and Critical Writings grant programme provides annual grants of up to 20,000 USD for individuals and teams, and up to 35,000 USD for collectives and institutions.

https://www.arabculturefund.org/Programs/14 

 

Documentary Film Program
Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, Beirut 
Deadline: 4 Apr 2025

The Documentary Film Program supports creative documentary films in the Arab region. The program welcomes submissions by Arab directors of feature-length documentary film projects that are in development, production or post-production phases as well as short and medium-length documentaries in production and post-production.

https://www.arabculturefund.org/Programs/7 

 

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