Organizer Information
Ettijahat – Independent Culture is a cultural organisation dedicated to supporting contemporary artistic production, mobility, and critical cultural exchange across the Arab region and diaspora. The organisation works at the intersection of artistic practice, research, and cultural development, with a strong focus on enabling displaced and transnational artists to reconnect with regional cultural ecosystems. Through programmes such as ZAD, Ettijahat actively supports artistic mobility, production support, and cross-border collaboration, particularly for Syrian artists whose practices have developed in exile across Europe and Turkey. The organisation is widely recognised for its commitment to cultural resilience, knowledge exchange, and the rebuilding of artistic networks affected by displacement and conflict.
Title & Description
ZAD: Special Edition – Mobility of the Arts to Syria
The ZAD Special Edition is a dedicated Residency / Mobility Grant / Production Support programme designed to enable Syrian artists based in Europe and Turkey to present, re-stage, or adapt their artistic works within Syria. The initiative is grounded in the belief that artistic mobility is essential not only for professional development but also for reconnecting artists with the audiences and cultural contexts from which their practices originated.
This programme responds to the long-term fragmentation of Syria’s cultural ecosystem, where many artists have developed internationally while remaining disconnected from local audiences. By supporting the presentation of existing or newly adapted works in Syrian cities and cultural spaces, ZAD fosters meaningful cultural reconnection, artistic dialogue, and knowledge exchange between artists inside and outside the country.
Projects supported under this programme are expected to go beyond simple presentation. They must include active engagement with local artists and communities through collaborative formats such as workshops, participatory performances, or shared artistic processes. The initiative encourages geographic diversity within Syria, prioritising presentations beyond major urban centres to broaden cultural access.
A key dimension of the programme is its emphasis on mobility as a form of cultural repair—enabling artists to reinsert their practices into local contexts while maintaining their international trajectories. Through this, ZAD contributes to rebuilding cultural infrastructure and strengthening artistic ecosystems affected by displacement.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts
- Music
- Theatre
- Dance
- Literature & Writing
- Poetry
- Multimedia
- Installation
- Performance
- Sound Art / Music
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Contemporary Art Practices
Eligibility
- Be of Syrian nationality (including individuals with Syrian maternal lineage in specific cases)
- Be based in Europe or Turkey
- Be individual artists or collectives (collectives may include non-Syrian collaborators)
- Hold valid residency status and travel documentation
- Secure a confirmed agreement with a hosting cultural space in Syria
- Ensure meaningful engagement with local artists (collaboration, workshops, or knowledge exchange)
Additional conditions:
- Both existing and newly produced works are eligible
- All artistic disciplines are eligible except cinema
- Applications must be submitted in Arabic or English
- Applicants currently receiving certain Ettijahat grants or recently closed grants (after 2024) are not eligible
- Projects involving Ettijahat staff or close relatives are excluded
- Travel must be completed before the end of 2026
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected applicants will receive up to:
- €7,000 per project
Covered expenses include:
- International travel costs and local transportation
- Accommodation and per diem allowances
- Travel insurance and health-related mobility support
- Shipping and transport of artworks and production materials
- Production-related costs for collaboration (e.g., workshops, partner fees)
Additional benefits:
- Opportunities for artistic presentation in Syria
- Direct engagement with local cultural institutions and audiences
- Cross-border collaboration with Syrian-based artists
- Strengthening of artistic visibility and regional networks
- Institutional support from Ettijahat – Independent Culture
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed application form (online)
- Project description (including concept, objectives, and format)
- Agreement with a hosting cultural space in Syria
- Budget breakdown
- CV or artistic biography
- Portfolio or documentation of previous work
- Collaboration plan with local artists (if applicable)
- Timeline of travel and presentation
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2026
- Results Announcement: End of July 2026
- Project Implementation Period: Until the end of 2026
Location
- Primary Locations: Syria (presentation sites)
- Applicant Base: Europe and Turkey
- Programme Type: International mobility / hybrid artistic exchange
Additional Details
- The programme prioritises mobility and cultural reconnection between diaspora artists and Syrian audiences
- Strong emphasis on collaborative engagement with local artists and communities
- Projects must include a confirmed hosting venue in Syria before application
- Cinema projects are excluded from this edition
- Ettijahat retains a monitoring role but artists keep full rights to their works
- Travel conditions may be subject to adjustment depending on regional safety developments
- Part of Ettijahat’s 15th anniversary programming and the broader “Naseej” mobility track