Discover Open Call for Emerging Artists at India Art Fair 2026

About the Open Call

Initiated during the Covid-19 pandemic, Discover has now been reconfigured in collaboration with India Art Fair [IAF]. In line with Prameya Art Foundation's primary commitment to young, emerging artists, we are inviting proposals for well-thought, conceptually rigorous, project proposals from artists who do not already have traditional support systems such as a gallery that has committed to their practice, and have never had a solo exhibition prior to this. PRAF x IAF invites partially realised project proposals from emerging artists with no prior solo exhibitions and none scheduled prior to March 2026. The selected project proposal will receive production support of 2 lakh rupees, installation support of 3 lakh rupees, and a dedicated space to showcase their work at India Art Fair 2026. We welcome all approaches to media and material. Project proposals may include a body of work that addresses a single concept/idea. Proposals for multiple bodies of work will not be eligible for consideration. Multiple elements coming together as a single project or a standalone installation, a schedule of performative dialogues with the space and audiences during the duration of IAF, experimental painting and sculpture, acoustic and sonic presences, discursive contexts, archival presentations and various other methods of working and presenting work are welcome as long as the project demonstrates an innovative and challenging idea, critical and independent thinking, advanced scholarship, and a new or experimental approach. Depending on the practice, mentorship sessions with established artists can be made available. The submitted proposal will be developed further in conversation with the PRAF and IAF team, and available mentors. Additionally, there will be necessary curatorial support from PRAF and IAF in the process of developing the project from the proposal stage, and advice on editorially presenting the project within the available space for exhibition purposes. The proposal submitted at the application stage will be a starting point for revisions and development by the artist in their working process.

What is Offered

Production support of INR 2,00,000, installation support of INR 3,00,000, dedicated exhibition space at India Art Fair 2026, mentorship sessions with established artists, and curatorial support from PRAF and IAF.

Requirements

Artists must not have traditional support systems such as a gallery that has committed to their practice, and must not have had a solo exhibition prior to this, nor one scheduled before March 2026. The Open Call is directed at artists residing in India. Artists of all ages may apply, as long as their practice is still emerging. Only proposals for unrealised work will be entertained. Previously established collectives and collaborative practices can send a single application. The final work needs to be completed and ready to be shipped by the first week of January 2026. Applicant must be present in India during the days prior to the opening of IAF 2026 for installation and participation in accompanying programs.

How to Apply

To apply, write to opencall@praf.in with the following: - An updated CV - An artist statement - Information on the proposed project along with a booth plan for 25 sq metres of space, detailed production budget and installation requirements - 8-10 images of previous work as a single PDF file. The jury review of the applications will be based on: feasibility of the project within the proposed budgets and timeline, discursive relevance, experimental nature of the work, the impact that this experience could potentially have on your artistic practice.