Organizer Information
Fire Station is a nonprofit contemporary art center and art education institution in Doha, Qatar. Operated as part of Qatar Museums, Fire Station occupies a converted historic fire station and provides facilities dedicated to artistic production, education, exhibition, and public programming. Its infrastructure includes 30 individual and shared studios, workshops and a fabrication laboratory, five exhibition halls, an auditorium, and communal spaces for seminars and theoretical workshops.
The Artists Intensive Study Programme (AISP) is Fire Station's flagship intensive educational initiative for emerging visual artists. The programme is designed to complement conventional art education through sustained studio practice, critical discussion, interdisciplinary workshops, seminars, lectures, and group critiques. Rather than focusing solely on technical development, AISP encourages participants to examine their artistic methodologies and conceptual approaches within an international peer environment.
The second edition of AISP, taking place in 2027, will be led by artist and Fire Station Artistic Director Wael Shawky. The programme is expected to bring together approximately 25 emerging Qatari and international artists. Its curriculum is intended to broaden contemporary art discourse beyond predominantly Western frameworks by bringing together artists and mentors from different cultural, geographic, and disciplinary backgrounds.
The programme's jury includes prominent figures from the international contemporary art and cultural sector, including representatives of Qatar Museums, Art Basel, Serpentine Galleries, National Gallery Singapore, Sharjah Art Foundation, Bard College, and major international art institutions. Previous AISP mentors have included internationally recognized artists, curators, architects, writers, and art historians.
Title & Description
Artists Intensive Study Programme (AISP) 2027 – Second Edition
The Artists Intensive Study Programme is a fully funded, nine-month intensive study programme for emerging visual artists seeking to develop and expand their artistic practice within a rigorous, interdisciplinary environment in Doha, Qatar.
Running approximately from 14 March to 12 November 2027, the programme combines sustained studio practice with workshops, seminars, lectures, group critiques, and engagement with established international artists, curators, theorists, and other cultural practitioners.
Participants will have dedicated time and facilities to develop individual projects while receiving critical feedback from peers, faculty, and visiting mentors. The programme emphasizes experimentation, interdisciplinary thinking, conceptual development, and professional growth rather than adherence to a single medium or artistic methodology.
AISP also provides opportunities for participants to present their work publicly through open studios and other public-facing events, culminating in an exhibition of work developed during the programme. The final exhibition will be curated by Wael Shawky.
The programme is particularly suited to emerging artists who already have an identifiable artistic practice and want to challenge, deepen, or expand that practice through sustained international exchange and critical engagement.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Contemporary Art
- Interdisciplinary Art
- Mixed Media
- Installation
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Photography
- Video Art
- Digital Art
- Performance Art
- Conceptual Art
- Other contemporary visual art practices
The programme is interdisciplinary and does not require applicants to work within a specific medium.
Eligibility
- Emerging visual artists
- International artists from any country
- Qatari artists
- Applicants aged 18–35
- Artists with an established or clearly defined artistic practice
- Artists interested in expanding their practice through interdisciplinary and critical engagement
- Artists willing to work collaboratively with peers and mentors
- Artists committed to developing and presenting new work during the programme
There is no formal educational degree requirement. Applicants from diverse educational, professional, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must have sufficient command of English to participate effectively in workshops, seminars, critiques, lectures, and other programme activities.
A critical eligibility requirement is that participants must be physically present in Doha throughout the programme and attend all required AISP events and activities.
Program Benefits & Awards
AISP is a fully funded programme. For international participants, Fire Station will provide:
- Flights
- Accommodation in Qatar
- Per diem to support living expenses for nine months
- No tuition fee
- No application fee
- Access to studio facilities
- Structured studio practice
- Practice-based workshops
- Theoretical seminars
- Lectures
- Group critiques
- Interaction with established international artists, curators, theorists, and educators
- Professional networking opportunities
- Participation in open studios and public-facing events
- Opportunity to present work to international curators, collectors, and arts professionals
- Participation in a culminating exhibition
- Curatorial engagement with Wael Shawky
- International peer networking and interdisciplinary exchange
The programme does not specify a separate cash prize or competition award. Its primary benefits are fully funded participation, artistic development, professional exposure, mentorship, studio access, and exhibition opportunities.
Fire Station will also provide selected international participants with an invitation letter to assist with the visa process.
Up to approximately 25 artists will be selected.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 5 September 2026
- Selection interviews: October–November 2026
- Applicants notified of selection results: Mid-December 2026
- Programme begins: 14 March 2027
- Approximate programme duration: 14 March–12 November 2027
- Approximate programme end: 12 November 2027
Location
Fire Station, Doha, Qatar
Additional Details
- The programme is designed specifically for emerging artists aged 18–35.
- Applicants do not need a university or art-school degree.
- A clearly developed artistic practice and strong motivation for further development are important selection criteria.
- The programme encourages applicants from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds.
- English proficiency is necessary for participation.
- Participants are expected to attend the programme and its events consistently throughout the nine-month period.
- The programme is interdisciplinary and is not restricted to one artistic medium.
- Selection is based on the quality of application materials, artistic potential, and alignment with AISP's objectives.
- Shortlisted applicants may be invited to an interview. Local applicants may be interviewed in person, while international applicants may be interviewed through Zoom.
- The selection committee intends to select up to approximately 25 participants, with diversity in artistic practices and conceptual approaches being an important consideration.
- The programme concludes with an exhibition presenting work developed during the programme.
- The 2027 programme will be led by Wael Shawky, Artistic Director of Fire Station.
- The jury includes major international figures from contemporary art, curating, museums, and cultural institutions.
- Previous AISP mentors have included artists such as Mohamed Bourouissa, Abraham Cruzvillegas, Taus Makhacheva, Haroon Mirza, Rirkrit Tiravanija, and Rirkrit Tiravanija, as well as curators, writers, architects, and art historians.
- International participants should factor visa processing into their planning. Fire Station provides an invitation letter to assist with the visa process, but applicants should verify their individual visa requirements.
- Because the programme covers accommodation, flights, and a living per diem for international participants, it represents a particularly substantial funded opportunity for emerging artists seeking long-term professional development outside their home country.