Artist Residency Grants

Artist residency is available for a duration of six months, with funding capped at 61,000 AED. This financial support covers essential residency-related expenses, such as travel costs to and within the UAE (including airfare, car rental, accommodation, living stipend, and visa fees), purchase of art materials, rental of specialized equipment, professional services related to artwork creation, and translation services.

The structure of each residency may vary based on the proposed activities put forward during the application process. In general, the Foundation expects the following of Visiting Artists:

• •Create new personal works based on the Statement of Intent approved during the selection process
• •Willingness to have an "open studio" and welcome the general public to observe and ask questions while working on personal projects
• •Lead a workshop or hands-on activity for every month of the residency (e.g., a six-month residency would require six workshops)
• •Record one podcast interview discussing residency projects and broader artistic approach/interests for a general, layperson audience
• •Present a solo exhibition at the annual Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival
• •Write one blog (500-800 words) related to the residency experience for publication on the Foundation's website and social media platforms
• •Donate one work created during the residency to the Foundation

Artists meeting the minimum eligibility criteria noted above are encouraged to apply for an Artist Residency Grant. Before applying, please review the grant handbook, as it contains important information for applicants and recipients.

The 2026 Arts and Culture grant submission cycle, which includes Artist Residency Grants is open now with a closing deadline of June 1, 2026. Prospective applicants should create an account in the Foundation's grant management portal and follow the Artist Residency Grant application instructions once submissions open. The online application form and all documents noted below must be uploaded and submitted in the grant management portal no later than June 1, 2026 to be considered. Materials may be submitted in Arabic or English:

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  Online application form and all required documents listed below must be uploaded and submitted through the Foundation’s online grants portal no later than June 1, 2026, to be considered.
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  Cover Letter (no more than 2 pages) outlining reasons why the applicant is interested in the residency opportunity. The letter should address (1) prior experiences and skills relevant to the residency; (2) how proposed activities align with the stated Artist Residency Program objectives and broader mission of the Al Qasimi Foundation; (3) what the applicant hopes to gain from the residency experience; and (4) how the residency fits into the applicant's long-term goals.
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  Full artistic CV (no more than 2 pages) includes, as applicable: education, exhibitions, bibliography, collections, teaching, texts, curatorial projects, honors and awards, affiliations, and residencies.
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  Artist bio, photo, and professional statement (no more than 2 pages)
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  Representative portfolio sample of work produced in the last five years. The portfolio should be submitted as a low resolution .pdf and contain no more than 15 images. Each image should contain the title, date, size, and materials. Portfolios larger than 2 MB should be sent via a WeTransfer or Dropbox link. If images are not possible due to the nature of the applicant's work, up to 5 video/audio URL links that support the application (no longer than 5 minutes each) may be submitted instead.
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  Residency Statement of Intent detailing anticipated residency activities and timelines involved. At a minimum, it should include the artist's goals for the residency, a description of the personal work that will be undertaken, summaries of suggested workshops (including target audiences and minimum skill levels necessary), and any special space or other logistics required to facilitate a productive residency. The solo exhibition concept and, if applicable, community art project should also be outlined.
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  A completed Artist Residency Budget submitted through the portal, detailing itemized expenditures and the total grant request
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  Two recommendation letters from art professionals and colleagues, one of which should come from a reputed arts institution, organization, or education program that the applicant has engaged with.

The submission review process is competitive. The Selection Committee will review all complete proposals and shortlist finalists to invite for an interview. Interviews may take place in-person or online via platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Once all interviews are complete, the Selection Committee will make a final recommendation and choose the visiting artist(s) for the year. Applicants can generally expect to receive a formal decision on the status of their submission within 6-8 weeks of the annual submission deadline.

While the Al Qasimi Foundation receives many excellent and high-quality submissions, only 1 residency is available each year. Selection is based on the quality of portfolios and the relevance of applicants' proposed activities during the residency.

Questions regarding Artist Residency Grants, the application process, or the submission status may be sent to media@rakart.ae.