Organizer Information

Founded in 2007 by artists Shawon Akand and Delowar Hossain, CRACK Trust is an independent, non-profit art initiative based in Bangladesh. Inspired by the centuries-old Baul tradition of Bengal—where spiritual singers and thinkers gather annually to share introspections and life experiences—CRACK operates outside commercial art structures. The Trust organizes the annual CRACK International Art Camp to foster cross-cultural dialogue, communal living, and interdisciplinary collaboration among global and South Asian creators.

Title & Description

20th CRACK International Art Camp (CIAC) 2026: Call for Applications

CRACK Trust has opened applications for the 20th CRACK International Art Camp (CIAC), taking place from December 25 to December 30, 2026, in Kushtia, Bangladesh. Moving away from conventional academic or product-driven residencies, CIAC is a community-oriented, six-day gathering that prioritizes artistic process, spontaneous collaboration, and deep cultural exchange. Set in a rural environment, participants live communally, share meals, and engage in late-night discussions before presenting their collaborative outcomes during a public Open Day on December 30.

Categories

The camp accepts All Creative & Critical Practices, including Visual Arts, Performance Art, Poetry, Creative Writing, Journalism, Music, Filmmaking, Curatorial Research, and Cultural Practice.

Eligibility

  • Age & Career Stage: Open to art-loving individuals of all ages. Priority is given to young and emerging artists.
  • Geographic Scope: Open unconditionally to national (Bangladeshi) and international artists worldwide.
  • Living Requirements: Participants must be open to communal, adventurous rural living conditions with simple, shared accommodations (away from urban or luxury amenities).

Program Benefits & Support

  • Hospitality Provided: Free shared rural accommodation and fresh meals provided on-site for the duration of the camp.
  • Facilities & Process: Access to meeting spaces, natural working environments, and spontaneous collaboration opportunities.
  • Public Showcase: Feature placement during the public Open Day presentation on December 30, 2026, engaging local communities and visiting audiences.

Application Fee

Participation in the application process is 100% free of charge ($0 submission fee).

How to Apply

Complete and submit the official application form online.

  • Official Application Form: 20th CIAC 2026 Google Form
  • Inquiries Email / Contact:cracktrustbd2024@gmail.com | Phone/WhatsApp: +88 01712 122 415

Key Dates

  • Application Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026
  • Finalist Announcement: October 15, 2026
  • Art Camp Dates: December 25 – December 30, 2026
  • Public Open Day: December 30, 2026

Location

The physical art camp and communal living take place live in Bangladesh at:

Smaran Matsya-beej Khamar
Rahimpur (adjacent to the Dhaka–Kushtia Highway)
Kushtia, Bangladesh

Website Link: https://crackbd.org/

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