Along with announcements of our year-round open calls and grants which support emerging and established artists working in contemporary art, we have compiled a list of reputable local, regional and international open calls, educational opportunities, grants and residencies in other institutions. In keeping with Sharjah Art Foundation’s commitment to the art community, this reference tool is updated on a regular basis.
Curatorial Open Call
Kutubna Cultural Center, Dubai
Deadline: 7 June 2026
Kutubna Cultural Center will offer its gallery walls to the community twice in 2026—in September and December—to showcase the art, research or other creations of members of the UAE community through the curatorial vision of two separate guest curators.
https://www.kutubna.ae/pages/curatorial-open-call?_pos=2&_sid=ee5bf6c5a&_ss=r
BAM × Scânteia Residency
Bayt AlMamzar, Dubai
Deadline: 7 June 2026
This open call invites two UAE-based artists to undertake separate month-long residencies at Scânteia in Bucharest—one in August–September 2026 and one in March–April 2027—followed by a joint exhibition curated by Scânteia in April 2027. An exchange initiative between Bayt AlMamzar and Scânteia, the programme is aimed at fostering sustained dialogue between artists working across the UAE and Romania.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOZlc6AIuPdWjMt2V-MR4JHpXov-sqktxdZrwnZhW2_z5mNQ/viewform
Khoj International Residency
Khoj Studios, New Delhi
Deadline: 7 June 2026
Khoj invites applications from artists whose practice engages with mental health and distress, critically examining how pain—physical, psychological, or historical—shapes both the self and society.
https://khojstudios.org/programme/khoj-international-residency/edition-august-september-2026/
Filmmaking Residency at ESRA International Film School
Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation
Deadline: 8 June 2026
Four weeks of hands-on workshops combining an introduction to French cinematic culture with practical filmmaking courses and a collaborative short film project. Participants will take part in masterclasses, cultural visits across Paris and the production of a short fiction film from concept to final cut.
https://admaf.org/residency/young-filmmakers-circle
Fundación Casa Wabi x ArtReview Residency Prize 2026-2027
Fundación Casa Wabi, Oaxaca and ArtReview, London
Deadline: 14 June 2026
Fundación Casa Wabi and ArtReview have announced the ninth iteration of their open-call residency prize for three artists interested in cultural cross-fertilisation and wishing to enter into a creative dialogue with members of one of the communities around Casa Wabi in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca (México).
https://airtable.com/app4c71qDGKMH853e/pagsSwcKgp7e1QS7l/form
RTA TUNNELS OPEN CALL 2026
Dubai Culture
Deadline: 15 June 2026
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, in collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority, has launched an open call to transform more than 40 tunnels across the emirate into artistic spaces through original works that speak to Dubai’s character and bring culture into everyday life.
https://dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/events/RTA-Tunnels---2026
Oto Award X Dar Jacir for Art and Research
Oto Sound Museum, Zurich and Dar Jacir for Art and Research, Bethlehem
Deadline: 15 June 2026
Dar Jacir for Art and Research and OTO Sound Museum unite to amplify Palestinian voices across borders through sound and listening. This opportunity is open to both emerging and established sound artists, providing a platform for their work to resonate with diverse audiences.
https://oto.museum/oto-award-x-dar-jacir-for-art-and-research/
Cinema Grant
Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, Beirut
Deadline: 19 June 2026
AFAC's Cinema programme supports feature and short-length fiction films in the Arab region. For feature-length films, the programme welcomes submissions by Arab directors whose projects are in development, production or post-production phases. For short films, the programme supports projects in production and post-production, provided the director has not previously made a feature film.
https://www.arabculturefund.org/Programs/12
Music Grant
Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, Beirut
Deadline: 19 June 2026
AFAC’s Music grant supports music production, performances, collaborations, album recordings, music-related podcasts and festivals. The Music grant programme provides annual grants of up to 25,000 USD for individuals and teams, and up to 35,000 USD for collectives and institutions.
https://www.arabculturefund.org/Programs/15
Training and Regional Events Grant
Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, Beirut
Deadline: 19 June 2026
AFAC’s Training and Regional Events grant supports training and workshops in the different cultural and artistic fields, archive and documentation platforms, in addition to residencies, symposiums, forums, and festivals (multidisciplinary, music, film, performing arts, visual arts, and literature). The Training and Regional Events grant provides annual grants of up to 25,000 USD for individuals and teams, and up to 35,000 USD for collectives and institutions.
https://www.arabculturefund.org/Programs/16
Open Call: Corniche 8
Sharjah Art Foundation
Deadline: 30 June 2026
Illustrators and comic artists from the GCC are invited to submit pitches for a six-page comic to be considered for publication in the eighth edition of Corniche, an annual comic anthology.
https://www.sharjahart.org/en/open-calls/details/open-call-corniche-8
WOMEN IN FILM III: Training Through Practice
Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, Beirut
Deadline: 17 July 2026
The initiative is open to early-career Arab women filmmakers residing in the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt. It offers upcoming women talents an opportunity to showcase their unique voices while receiving mentorship and training across various filmmaking departments to help them develop their skills and advance their careers.
https://www.arabculturefund.org/Programs/78
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The information shared here has been sourced from the online platforms of the listed institutions.