Sharjah Art Foundation announces open call for Collection Research Fellowship

Sharjah Art Foundation is accepting applications for the Collection Research Fellowship, a two-year programme supporting sustained research into the Foundation’s Collection and archives. The first cycle will focus on Emirati artist Hassan Sharif’s studio and archive, a dedicated space within the larger Foundation Collection that houses artworks, objects and documents pertaining to Sharif’s practice, artistic networks and related social and cultural contexts.

The fellowship offers researchers, curators, artists, writers, archivists, conservators and interdisciplinary practitioners time and access to explore the Foundation’s resources and develop projects shaped by their own research interests. In addition to Sharif’s materials, fellows can draw on other Foundation resources, including the rest of the Collection, library holdings and publications, while working closely with both the Collections and the Learning and Research teams. Through this engagement, fellows will contribute to the documentation, interpretation and enhancement of knowledge around the Collection, bringing greater attention to artists and practices that merit further scholarly inquiry beyond the region.

The fellowship is open to applicants with demonstrated interest and experience in research, writing, curatorial practice, archival work or related fields, and a good understanding of Gulf and regional art history as well as the contemporary art scene. Applicants must have strong reading proficiency in Arabic and writing proficiency in Arabic and/or English. They must be able to commit to the full two-year programme, including required periods in the UAE, scheduled check-ins and key milestones. Applicants based outside the UAE must be available to travel for the required fellowship periods.

Hassan Sharif’s Studio and Archive

Hassan Sharif’s studio and archive bring together a broad range of his works, including installations in different mediums and a series of object works. Within this collection are dozens of experimental pieces, along with found objects and art materials that Sharif collected and used throughout his practice. All the items together offer insight into Sharif’s working methods, material explorations and creative processes.

Also accessible are drawings, paintings and works on paper, many of which were exhibited in the Foundation’s retrospective Hassan Sharif: I Am The Single Work Artist (2017–2018). Among these works are documentation of performances and interventions in Sharjah’s markets, experimental performance series developed during Sharif’s time in London, drawings and paintings from his desert series, and paintings depicting The Flying House, a space he once used as a studio, exhibition venue and gathering place for artists. Part of Sharif’s personal library, which comprises books, exhibition booklets and journals as well as a selection of writings, manifestos, comics and sketches, is also available for consultation.

Fellowship Structure and Outcome 

During the 24-month programme, fellows may undertake research both off-site and in the UAE. Through meetings between individual fellows and the Foundation, a schedule will be developed around the research focus and programme requirements, and the places and times for the different phases of work will be determined. The proposed timeline for the fellowship will outline key dates and milestones, including the start of the fellowship, UAE-based research periods, progress reviews and outcomes. 

Scheduled check-ins with both the Collections and Learning and Research teams are mandatory. During these sessions, fellows will review progress, discuss research developments and coordinate relevant activities. Although the timeline may allow some flexibility to accommodate different research approaches and circumstances, fellows must ensure that key milestones are met.

A core requirement of the fellowship is to produce a research publication or project. The format and scope of this work will be determined in consultation with the Foundation, taking into account the nature of the research. To be produced in Arabic or English, the publication or project may take the form of a research paper, booklet, artist’s book, audiovisual presentation or another agreed medium.

In addition to this core outcome, fellows may develop public learning activities in collaboration with the Learning and Research Department and the Foundation library. Depending on the fellow’s research topic and areas of expertise, these could include public talks, workshops and research presentations that support knowledge-sharing and public engagement.

Resources and Support

The selected fellows will receive access to the Foundation’s Collection, archives, library and institutional networks, alongside research guidance from relevant teams and workspace. Support for the development and production of the required publication or project may include materials, printing and equipment. A stipend of AED 20,000 will support the research and production process. Travel support and accommodation will be provided for agreed UAE-based periods for fellows residing outside the country.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following requirements:

• CV (maximum of two pages): relevant academic, professional and research experience

• Statement of interest (500 words): reasons for applying to the fellowship and the ways in which their previous experience supports their application

• Research proposal (1,000 words): key questions, methodology and expected outcomes of the research 

• Three examples of previous work: research publications, unpublished academic papers, curatorial essays, and/or images of artworks and work descriptions in English or Arabic

For the 2027–2029 fellowship, applications will be assessed based on the applicants’ research experience and methodology, knowledge of Gulf and regional art history, and the relevance of their proposed research to the Collection. The assessment will also consider the applicant’s ability to contribute to and share knowledge of the Collection. 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.

Important Dates and Deadlines:

Applications for the 2027–2029 fellowship must be submitted by 11:59 pm (GMT +4) on 30 November 2026.

The fellowship will run from March 2027 to March 2029, with the first required UAE-based research phase scheduled for March–May 2027. Subsequent periods will be agreed with the selected fellows, according to their research needs and the programme’s requirements. 

Applicants not based in the UAE should ensure they are available to travel to the UAE during the phases for collection and archive research, meetings and other essential fellowship activities. 

Subject to approval by the Foundation, additional visits to the UAE for those not residing in the country may be arranged based on fellows’ research needs. Such visits will be discussed and agreed upon with the fellows in advance and become part of the official timeline.

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. 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 nonprofits and cultural organisations, corporate sponsors and individual patrons. Hoor Al Qasimi serves as President and Director. All exhibitions are free and open to the public. 

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 Mohammad Al Qasimi, Sharjah is home to more than 20 museums and has long been known as the cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates. It was named UNESCO's Arab Capital of Culture for 1998 and the UNESCO World Book Capital for 2019.

Joseph De la Cerna
joseph@sharjahart.org
+971 (0)6 5444113