Open Call | Untitled

Since 2019, Alserkal Arts Foundation has supported practitioners working across the arts and wider cultural fields through a range of programmes that respond to different stages of practice—from research and development to production and public presentation. Untitled is a one-time completion grant designed for practitioners whose projects require a financial push to cross the line from ‘unfinished’ to ‘finished.’ This grant recognises fragility, urgency, and the unresolved, offering support to realise works that have lingered between conception and completion.

The grant is not intended for early-stage ideas, conceptual proposals, or long-term research development. Instead, it focuses on experimental, process-driven projects that have stalled or remained incomplete. Untitled acknowledges the tension between pause and progress. It seeks projects that carry the weight of their own interruption—whether by circumstance, resource, or creative pause—and now are ready to be realised.

Potential applicants include practitioners working in visual and performing arts, moving image, sound, curation, and writing. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprising Alserkal Arts Foundation members and external practitioners.

Submissions must be completed by July 19, 2026.

Alserkal Arts Foundation is supported by Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal, Ahmad Bin Eisa Alserkal and the Alserkal family. The Foundation is a hub for Alserkal’s not-for-profit activities, bringing together and building on our cultural programming and partnerships.

Eligibility

Selection is based on the clarity, urgency, and feasibility of the proposed project, and the extent to which the grant enables its completion. Applications should make a clear case for what remains unfinished and how this support will directly contribute to its realisation.

• Applicants must be based in or originating from Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) with the project focus in the same geography.

• Applicants must be 21 years or older and have an established practice in their field.

• Applicants may include independent practitioners and collectives working across artistic and cultural disciplines.

The following types of projects/proposals will be disqualified from consideration:

• Projects for a political or religious entity or group

• Projects for a registered charity, healthcare, or educational organisations

• Projects in initial conceptual development or early-stage ideas

• Projects with open-ended or undefined timelines

• Projects primarily within long-term academic study or institutional research frameworks

• Projects with a realisation deadline of more than 12 months

The Grants

The grants awarded are based on:

• Current stage - How clearly the current state of the project is defined, and what remains unfinished

• Urgency - Whether support at this moment directly enables the project to be realised

• Completion pathway - Whether there is a coherent and realistic route from current stage to final outcome

• Feasibility - Whether the proposed use of funds is clearly articulated and achievable within scope and budget

• Timeline - Whether the project can be completed within the proposed timeframe following support

The grants are awarded in one installment. The Foundation will work closely with the recipients to make sure funds are disbursed in line with project requirements.

Grants may be used for:

• Rental of equipment required for field work (e.g. cameras, audio records, dictaphone)

• Rental of space required for video and/or audio recording (e.g. film studio, sound booth, editing suite)

• Transcription and translation services

• Video editing and/or sound editing services

• Website design and website development

• Editorial design

• Gratuities and fees for project support and assistants

• Honorariums for collaborators and/or contributors

• Printing and binding of publications

Funds may not be used for:

• Purchase of electronic hardware and media (e.g. film cameras, speakers, laptops)

• Purchase of personal items, health insurance, visa fees

• Purchase of books (in-circulation), monthly publication subscriptions

• Fees for personal one-on-one mentorship and/or courses, university classes, vocational studies, professional training programmes

• Postgraduate education (e.g. fees for diplomas, certificates)

• Participation (e.g. application fee, participation fee, booth rental fee) in fairs or trade market (e.g. film market, art fairs, design fairs)

• Shipping fees for personal items including books

Applying for the grant

Applicants should submit a completed online application by clicking the 'Apply Now' button above. The online application form consists of six sections, which must all be completed.

Documents to be uploaded

I. Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae

Your CV should be a maximum of three pages, and should include a list of relevant projects undertaken.

II. Portfolio

Portfolios must be submitted as a single PDF (maximum 10 pages / 10MB). It should include documentation of relevant completed and in-progress work, such as images, video stills, installation views, performance documentation, sound works, or writing excerpts. Please make sure your portfolio is no longer than 10 pages. Maximum file size is 10MB.

III. Abstract

A summary of your project proposal in fewer than 300 words.

IV. Project proposal including budget

Proposals should be uploaded in PDF format. Maximum file size is 10MB. Your proposal should clearly demonstrate that the project is already substantially developed and requires targeted support for completion rather than development. Also to be included:

• A clear description of the project and its current state

• How your work references/relates to the South-West Asia, and North Africa

• A supporting statement of what is currently preventing the project from being completed

• Detailed completion roadmap (no longer than 12 months)

• Description of outcomes and how you intend to execute it

• Applicants must submit an itemised budget outlining how the requested grant will be used.

This should include:

• Total amount requested

• Breakdown of costs

• Brief justification of key expenses

Budgets should directly correspond to the completion of the proposed project.

V. Letter of recommendation

We require one letter of recommendation with your application. Individuals writing letters of recommendation are required to submit them through the online application system. Once you submit the names and contact details of your references, they will receive an email confirmation with instructions to submit their reference.

Please note that letters of recommendation are due on or before the application deadline. Please contact your referee well in advance to make them aware of their responsibility.

Submission instructions

All applications must be submitted through our online application system. We recommend candidates begin the application process as early as possible to review the online application, and to allow sufficient time for your referees to upload the letters of recommendations. To begin the application, please register on our online application portal. Once the application is submitted, you will not be able to make changes.

We anticipate a high number of applications and will do our best to respond to any queries. Please do note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted in the first instance.

APPLY HERE