Sharjah Art Foundation announces an open call for illustrators and comic artists across the GCC to contribute to Corniche, its annual comic anthology.

Applicants are invited to submit pitches for a six-page comic, in either English or Arabic, to be considered for publication in the anthology’s eighth edition. Selected artists will participate in a three-day creative exchange in Sharjah, after which the completed comics will be compiled into a publication.

Corniche brings together a range of genres and storytelling approaches, enabling biography, art history, science fiction, fantasy and mythology to coexist within a single publication.

Launched from a comic-making workshop organised by the Foundation in 2019, the anthology has since evolved into a platform for regional illustrators and comic artists to meet, experiment and publish their work.

Corniche 8 will launch at Focal Point 2026, the Foundation’s annual art book fair dedicated to independent publishing and contemporary bookmaking practices.

How to apply:

• Only applications submitted through the website will be considered.

• The deadline for submitting pitches is 11:59 pm, UAE local time (GMT +4), on 30 June 2026. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered. 

• If you have questions, contact corniche@sharjahart.org, and mention ‘Corniche 8 Open Call’ in the subject line.

About Focal Point

Focal Point is an annual art book fair showcasing independent bookmaking from the region and around the world. Audiences will find a compelling selection of printed material by artists’ presses, bookmakers, self-publishers and non-commercial cultural producers. As part of its commitment to expanding and experimenting with the medium of publishing, Focal Point includes talks, book launches, artists’ signings, workshops, music and artist-made products.

An initiative of Sharjah Art Foundation, Focal Point spotlights UAE-based publishers and functions as a critical space for knowledge sharing and community building. The fair is held annually at Bait Obaid Al Shamsi, a heritage site within Sharjah’s historical quarter.

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. 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.

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 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.

Media Contact

Alyazeyah Al Marri    
alyazeyah@sharjahart.org
+971 (0)6 5444113