Opportunities

Open calls for the year 2023/24

 

The 421 capacity building programs support artists and creative practitioners who have a sustained artistic practice or interest in creative disciplines. Often involving juries made up of locally and regionally based arts professionals, as well as pedagogical partners that contribute to the curricula, the capacity building programs function as a launching pad for the career development of young and emerging practitioners. Those programs are open to participation of students, recent graduates and early-career practitioners interested in visual arts, design and architecture, film, new media, literary arts and performance.

 

Applications can only be accepted through our online Submittable platform. Please apply here: 

 

https://421-online.submittable.com/submit

 

 

Artistic Development Program

 

Application deadline: March 26, 2023

Apply here. 

 

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The 421 Artistic Development Program is a capacity building initiative that supports early to mid-career artists based in the UAE to develop and produce a major body of work that will be presented in a solo exhibition at the end of the program. 

 

The program emphasizes the professional and creative development of participating artists and awards them a AED10,000 participation grant and financial and logistical production support, as well as guidance from experienced art educators, interlocutors, and curators. 

 

 

For more information, click here. 

Internship and Mentorship Program


Application deadline: March 29, 2023

Apply here. 

 

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The 421 Internship and Mentorship Program offers early career development support and professional preparation opportunities for emerging-creative professionals from diverse backgrounds. The program supports young practitioners through hands-on experience and training that paves the way for future career opportunities. 

 

The internship runs for six months and five applications will be accepted for this cycle of the program. This is a paid opportunity. 

 

Click for more information.

Docents Program

 

Application deadline: March 10, 2023

Apply here. 

 

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Graduate and postgraduate students are invited to apply for the Docents Program at 421, an initiative that gives young professionals the unique opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge for a future career in the arts. The docent program includes specialized training with industry professionals, educators, and curators to be able to conduct engaging and accessible exhibition tours to 421 visitors. 

 

The program includes training around how to engage with families and children, People of Determination, and other community groups who book guided tours through the 421 gallery spaces. Docents who complete this program will graduate with deeper knowledge of the region’s art history, connections with emerging artists and curators, and stronger communication skills that are invaluable for a successful future career in the arts. 

 

Click for more information.

Homebound Residency Program 2023

Applications are now closed. More information will be provided soon. 

 

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421’s Homebound residency program aims to support creative practitioners in the region in producing new work and exploring community engagement in their practices while working remotely. The 6-month-long online program will offer residents curatorial support as well as a production budget up to AED 20,000, which can be used for any equipment and materials required for the realization of their projects.


For its third edition, taking place from April to September 2023 the residency will be led by guest curator Sara bin Safwan. Selected participants will identify interlocutors that can help guide them through the residency process along with the guest curator. Residents will take part in regular discussion circles throughout the residency, and 421 will provide material and logistical support for new bodies of work looking beyond the current pandemic, culminating in an online presentation of process and/or work.

 

Click for more information.

 

Curatorial Development Program

This open call is currently closed. More information will be provided soon.

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The 421 Curatorial Development Program is an exhibition process that emphasizes the professional and creative development of its curators. Supported by the 421 team and an expert pedagogical partner, the program aims to support emerging local and regional curators who are pushed here to hone their practice holistically and to build a well-rounded skill set that aids them in crafting each facet of a successful exhibition.

 

The program features a hybrid of practical and theoretical pedagogical structure that pushes for the understanding of spatial and operational decisions not as secondary to the exhibition’s curatorial concepts, but rather as equally essential to the exhibition’s content, a reflection of and a tool for the curatorial premise to be further explored. The program aims to create a community of young and emerging curators who can contribute to the UAE’s cultural ecosystem in meaningful ways.

 

Artistic Research Grant

 

Applications are now closed. More information will be provided soon. 

 

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The 421 Artistic Research Grant supports practice-based research investigating contemporary social questions through interdisciplinary methodologies and active engagement with the researcher’s community. While this is not an academic grant, a strong interaction with the historical, geographical, and intellectual context of a grantee’s topic and medium is expected.

 

Grantees are required to produce a textual outcome detailing the research process and are encouraged to conceive of other formats of research expression as part of 421’s effort to promote a wider dissemination of knowledge. This can include, but is not limited to performances, school or public programming, symposia, or exhibitions.

 

Dukkan421: Regionally Logical 2023

Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

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Regionally Logical | تصميم منطقي

 

421 is inviting talent based in the UAE and the MENASA region to submit existing products through our 2023 Open Call for a chance to be a part of our unique shop, Dukkan421; a dynamic design platform supporting creative and regionally-relevant products and design research. We encourage all types of creative practitioners to apply, from craftspeople to independent publishers, product designers to jewelry makers.

 

Dukkan421 is a store inspired by the architecture themes of 421 and Mina Zayed. Our store features design products that reflect 421's commitment to fostering local and regional talent, offering exclusive limited editions, a wide selection of publications, stationary and unique products.

 

"Regionally Logical" is part of 421's mission to cultivate appreciation for the culture and design of the region. We hope to nurture this appreciation through the curation of tangible representations and explorations of the rich craftsmanship and artisanal practices in our region.

 

Click for more information.

Have a workshop idea? Submit it here! 

Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

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