OPEN CALL: Chobi Mela Fellowship Programme 2026

About the Open Call

The Fellowship Programme, an initiative of Chobi Mela, aims to support new media artists in Bangladesh to develop their independent projects, embracing experimentation and expansion. Artists from different backgrounds are invited to explore the possibilities of lens-based practice within broader contemporary art discourses. Participants are expected to establish a dialogue between photography and other disciplines or forms of practice — including, but not limited to, time-based media, performance, installation, sculpture, and research-driven methodologies — pushing the boundaries of how images can be created, experienced, and understood. Under the guidance of a mentor, each participant will produce artwork on a central theme, which will become part of the festival. The participants must give full commitment to the fellowship programme in accordance to the timeline. Research and Production: November - December 2025; Exhibition Installation: 01-15 January 2026; Festival Opening: 16 January 2026. The fellowship programme will take place at DrikPath Bhobon through an intensive workshop. Possible duration of the fellowship is three months. A partial production support will be provided to the participants. Please note this Open Call is open to Bangladeshi nationals currently residing in Bangladesh.

What is Offered

Guidance from a mentor, partial production support, and an opportunity to produce artwork for a festival exhibition.

Requirements

Open to Bangladeshi nationals currently residing in Bangladesh. Participants must give full commitment to the fellowship programme in accordance with the timeline. Requires submission of a bio, portfolio, and project proposal.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to fill out a Google Form, providing personal details such as Full Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Contact Number, Email Address, present residence address, previous education and institution, current occupation/employment. Additionally, applicants must submit a bio (250 words), an optional website link, a portfolio (PDF/Video/Images) via a Google Drive link (max 20 MB), and a project proposal (max 500 words) detailing theme, goals, what they want to create/explore, and execution plans.