Organizer Information
The Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation is a respected non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing education, research, arts, and community development in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Through its Arts & Culture initiatives, the Foundation actively supports creative practitioners, cross-cultural exchange, and public engagement with contemporary artistic practices. The Foundation’s residency and grant programs aim to strengthen the local cultural ecosystem while fostering dialogue between regional and international artists. Its annual initiatives, including the renowned, have become important platforms for contemporary visual arts and cultural exchange in the Gulf region.
Title & Description
Ras Al Khaimah Artist-in-Residence Programme 2026 (UAE)
The Artist Residency Grants program invites local and international artists to undertake a six-month residency in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Open to a wide range of creative disciplines, the residency encourages artists to develop new bodies of work inspired by the culture, landscape, and communities of the Emirates while engaging directly with local audiences through workshops, public programs, and cultural exchange activities.
The residency is designed as both a creative production opportunity and a socially engaged cultural experience. Selected artists are expected to create original work during the residency period and contribute to the local creative ecosystem through educational and community-oriented activities. The program culminates in a solo exhibition presented during the annual Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival, alongside the possibility of a collaborative public art installation.
The initiative emphasises meaningful dialogue between artists and the community, supporting intercultural understanding, artistic experimentation, and professional development. Through workshops, open studio sessions, public engagement, and educational programming, participating artists will contribute to the sustainable growth of Ras Al Khaimah’s emerging arts sector.
The residency also provides artists with the opportunity to reflect on their practice in a new cultural environment while building professional connections within the UAE and international arts communities. Artists are encouraged to propose innovative projects that engage with place, identity, material experimentation, storytelling, or community participation.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Drawing
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Photography
- Film & Moving Image
- Mixed Media
- Textile Art
- Jewelry Design
- Community-Based Art Practices
Interdisciplinary and experimental approaches are also welcome.
Eligibility
- Open to both local and international artists
- Applicants must be at least 21 years old
- Applicants should hold a degree in fine arts/studio arts, or demonstrate equivalent professional experience through a strong portfolio
- Must be practising artists or filmmakers actively producing work
- Applicants must have participated in:
- at least one solo exhibition, OR
- two group exhibitions, OR
- One film festival within the past three years
- Demonstrated workshop facilitation or teaching experience is required
- Applicants must show evidence of cultural exchange experience or community engagement
- Proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory
- Applicants cannot be enrolled in another residency or academic program during the residency period
Additional assets include:
- Arabic language proficiency
- Community arts experience
- Experience working with diverse age groups and cultural backgrounds
Artist collectives are not eligible due to residency space limitations.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected artists will receive a funded six-month residency with financial support capped at 61,000 AED.
The grant may cover:
- International airfare
- Local transportation and car rental
- Accommodation
- Living stipend
- Visa costs
- Art materials
- Equipment rental
- Professional production services
- Translation services
Additional benefits include:
- Opportunity to develop a new body of work
- Solo exhibition at the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival
- Public visibility through open studios and community programming
- Networking opportunities within the UAE cultural sector
- Participation in podcasts and online publications
- Community engagement and workshop facilitation experience
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online application form
- Cover Letter (maximum 2 pages)
- Artistic CV (maximum 2 pages)
- Artist bio, photo, and professional statement
- Portfolio of recent works:
- up to 15 images in PDF format, OR
- up to 5 video/audio links (maximum 5 minutes each)
- Residency Statement of Intent
- Detailed residency budget
- Two recommendation letters
Portfolio files larger than 2 MB may be shared via Dropbox or WeTransfer links.
Applications may be submitted in either Arabic or English.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 1 June 2026
- Notification Period: Approximately 6–8 weeks after the deadline
- Residency Duration: 6 months
- Final Exhibition: Presented during the annual Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival
Location
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Additional Details
Only one residency position is awarded annually, making the selection process highly competitive. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview conducted either online or in person via platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
Selected artists are expected to:
- Conduct monthly workshops
- Participate in open studio activities
- Record a podcast interview
- Write a residency-related blog post
- Donate one artwork created during the residency to the Foundation
Artists are strongly encouraged to review the official grant handbook before applying, as it contains important residency conditions and application guidance.