Open Call: Season 4 – 2026/2027
Application deadline: May 30, 2026
The Failaka Institute for Knowledge and Arts Research (FIKAR) is pleased to announce its Open Call for Season 4 (2026–2027).
This call invites proposals from GCC-based artists and researchers across all disciplines whose practices engage meaningfully with the cultural, historical, ecological, or symbolic dimensions of Failaka Island.
FIKAR is rooted in a commitment to knowledge production and artistic experimentation. It welcomes thinkers, artists, and makers whose work celebrates, protects, and reimagines the history and living cultures of the island.
For the Season 4, FIKAR will award 5 residency spots, for individual or collective projects.
Season 4 runs from October 2026 to May 1, 2027. Residencies are flexibly scheduled during this period. While the recommended maximum duration for each residency stay is 15 consecutive days, residents may complete their projects in one or multiple visits, as required.
Criteria
This call is open to GCC Nationals and Residents aged 21 or older who meet the following conditions:
1
Have a professional or academic practice in the fields of visual arts, crafts, design, music, dance, cinema, literature, or research-based disciplines.
3
Propose a project that directly relates to Failaka Island.
Application Requirements
All applicants must submit:
1 - A clear project proposal outlining objectives, methodology, and potential outcomes or public engagement.
2 - A biography of the applicant(s).
3 - For artists: a portfolio of recent work (10 pages maximum)
4 - For researchers: an academic or professional CV (3 pages maximum) and at least one academic paper
5 - Indication of preferred dates for the residency period between October 1, 2026 and May 1, 2027
Important dates
Application Deadline: May 30, 2026, by 11:59 PM (Kuwait time)
Pre-Selection Interviews: Last week of June, 2026
Final Notification of Results: July 1, 2026
Residency Period Begins: October 1, 2026
Residency Period Ends: May 1, 2027
Residency Support
Residents will receive the following:
Up to 3 round-trip boat journies between Kuwait and Failaka Island
Accommodation at Dar FIKAR
Dedicated studio space
Two meals per day
Access to all residency facilities
Ongoing mentorship and support from the FIKAR team
Please note: International travel to and from Kuwait is not covered by FIKAR. Applicants are encouraged to seek additional funding from third-party sources for flights and related costs.