Halaqat: Open Call for Artists 2026

About the Open Call

Halaqat, the Arabic term for ‘multiple links and circles’, provides a space for cultural actors from Arab and European countries to artistically reflect on topics of care, exploring them through a gender lens. Launched in 2021, the project fosters exchange and, in its second phase (2024-2027), supports cultural scenes, especially in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Morocco. This open call invites artists to apply for one of eight residency programmes in 2026, focusing on the themes of gender and care. Residencies will last either 6 weeks or 3 months, depending on the host. Participating institutions include Amalgam, Hunna Art & Culture Center, Drum Jam, Queens Collective, Irtijal – Tassarout Third Place, Fondation Hiba, and Goethe-Institut Cairo. Halaqat also offers grants for artists and curators, residency hosting organizations, festivals, and projects, alongside public events, awareness campaigns, workshops, and a mentorship program. Since 2021, the project has engaged over 100 artists, partners, and experts, reaching over 60,000 visitors through various public discussions, screenings, concerts, and exhibitions across Brussels, Madrid, Rabat, Cairo, and Amman. The project aims to strengthen cultural relations between Europe and the Arab world by addressing themes like mobility, financing, crisis as a permanent state, fair cultural relations, and exchange of expertise.

What is Offered

Residency programmes (6 weeks or 3 months), time for research and creativity, opportunities for professional exchange, project development support, public showcasing, grants (€2,950 for 3-month residency; €1,750 for 6-week residency). Additional support may include up to €1,000 for production, up to €250 for showcasing preparation, and top-ups (case-by-case) for family responsibilities, accessibility needs, and visa costs (refunded). Grants are paid 70% before the residency and 30% after completion and submission of a final activity report. The project also offers capacity-building workshops and a mentorship program.

Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a public track record in their artistic field, and submit a project aligned with the themes of gender and care. They must be available for the full duration of the residency, meet host-specific eligibility criteria (some are for mothers, musicians, etc.), and be willing to participate in a public event during the residency (e.g., work-in-progress presentation, artist talk, workshop). Geographic eligibility requires applicants to be from and based in one of the following focus countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia (including nationals or long-term residents). Alternatively, applicants can be based in an EU Member State and demonstrate strong engagement with the Arab region through past or ongoing artistic collaborations within the last three years. The concept note must be in English; other documents (CV, portfolio) can be in English, French, or Arabic; official documents may remain in their original language. Projects should explore themes of care and gender, potentially including social roles, visibility, representation, intergenerational knowledge and memory, feminist or decolonial artistic practices, mental health, accessibility, and inclusion. Minor adjustments to selected projects are allowed with Goethe-Institut approval; major changes are not permitted without written consent.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the Goethe-Application Portal (GAP) by 31 July 2025 at 12:00 PM CET. Applicants must upload the following documents: Valid passport (at least 6 months' validity post-residency), Proof of legal residence, CV, Artistic portfolio (with documentation of past work), Project concept note (in English). All documents must be uploaded directly to GAP; submissions via email or file sharing services will not be accepted. Applicants can apply to a maximum of two hosts by submitting two separate applications, tailoring each proposal to the selected host's concept. Only one application can be selected for funding. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for online interviews in late August 2025, with final selections communicated within 4–6 weeks after the deadline. Language support is available in Arabic, English, and French. Applicants may use AI tools, online translators, and/or human proofreaders to prepare their application.