Open Call: PARA

About the Open Call

PARA explores what it means to be alongside of, to move toward, to stand against or to wander beyond. It speaks to the sense of adjacency and expansiveness inherent to art writing—at once close to a subject while also broadening its scope across intersecting cultural fields. Seeking to interrogate established approaches to art criticism, PARA foregrounds situated practices that attend to diverse forms of criticality. PARA engages fellows in collective discussions informed by histories and specificities in the region that also contribute to ongoing conversations about art and criticism internationally. In doing so, it cultivates a vibrant community of practitioners where diverse voices can speak to one another to reimagine and invigorate art discourse in the region.

What is Offered

The programme offers material, communal and institutional support to five fellows. Selected fellows will have an opportunity to publish two pieces of art criticism; engage in biweekly online seminars and tailored feedback sessions with established art writers and critics; attend a fully funded, week-long programme of visits and peer-led gatherings in Sharjah; and develop relationships with fellow writers, editors, publishers and academics, fostering collaborative and transnational networks. Fellows will receive a writer’s fee of 2000 AED for their text to be published in the compilation and a writer’s fee of 3000 AED for their text to be published in the anthology. They will also receive a copy of the compilation and anthology, mentorship sessions with five established art critics, and flights, visa, accommodation and a per diem during the one-week residency in Sharjah.

Requirements

Cultural practitioners, including but not limited to writers, artists, curators, journalists and academics, living and working in Asia or Africa are invited to apply to PARA. Submitted texts should offer insightful and expansive perspectives on contemporary art, communicate clearly and be structurally cohesive, and demonstrate deep knowledge of subject matter and context. Fellows must be available for all parts of the PARA programme: online sessions (January–June 2026), in-person residency (March 2026) and editorial process (June–August 2026). Participation in all components of the programme is mandatory. The language of instruction is English; however, fellows will have opportunities to work across different languages over the course of the programme if they choose to.

How to Apply

Complete the online application form. Attach the following to the form: Primary text: one new, unpublished piece of writing (1000 words maximum, respond to an artwork/series/exhibition from 2024–2025, in English or with English translation, submitted as Word or PDF, can take any form, written solely by the applicant, no plagiarism or AI). Supporting texts: two published writing samples. CV (max. 2 pages).