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Misk Art Institute announces annual art grant of SAR 1,000,000. The first of its kind in the Kingdom, the Misk Art Grant is available to
Saudi and Arab artists.

Misk Art Institute, Saudi Arabia’s leading non-profit cultural organization, is delighted to announce the expansion of its new annual art grant with SAR 1,000,000 (USD 266,000) in funds for Saudi and Arab artists. Misk Art Grant – a pioneering initiative and the first of its kind in the Kingdom – supports and promotes emerging and mid-career artists by offering them the opportunity to realise new, ambitious projects, to be launched at the annual Misk Art Week. In addition to financial and technical support, the Grant also offers artists the opportunity to work closely with a committee comprised of leading regional specialists in the field of art and culture. Supporting Misk Art Institute’s mission to invest in the growth of a thriving, creative community, and to provide opportunity for as many artists as possible, the grant is an open call, and will be distributed between three to ten artists annually, subject to the quality of submissions. Applications are now open (deadline April 7, 2021) and the 2021 Grant awardees will be announced in April.

Applicants are invited to submit proposals as collectives or individual creatives practicing visual art, painting, sculpture, photography, or multidisciplinary art. The 2021 committee led by Misk Art Institute includes: Reem Fadda (Director of Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation), Laila Alfaddagh (Director General of Saudi Arabia’s National Museum), Myrna Ayad (Art Advisor and Cultural Strategist), Konstantinos Chatziantoniou, (Head of Collections & Conservation at King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture).

The Misk Art Grant awardees will present their proposed artworks at the highly successful Misk Art Week, the Institute’s flagship event, whose fifth edition will take place in December 2021. Following the success of the Grant’s 2020 debut edition, which was awarded to Alaa Alghufaili, Muhannad Shono, Hmoud Alattawi, Ayman Zedani and Saad Alhowede, the Institute has now doubled the allocated funds from SAR 500,000 (USD133,000) to SAR 1,000,000 (USD 266,000) and expanded the geographic scope to include Arab artists alongside Saudi nationals.

“The overwhelming number of Saudi applicants and the incredible feedback on the inaugural Misk Art Grant exhibition from the public and media alike inspired us to expand the grant to support more artists.” says Reem Al Sultan, CEO of Misk Art Institute. “Artists represent our culture, our community, and our ever-changing world. This grant celebrates artists from both the Kingdom and Arab countries, cultivates an environment in which their work can thrive, and empowers them through our interconnected ecosystem of support, expertise, and education.”

“Artistic communities play a vital role in society and are a fundamental part of the cultural movement in Saudi Arabia today.” says Ayman Zedani. “What the Misk Art Institute and their grant provide for artists is very important for the continuation of cultural endeavours.” The addition of mentoring from the grant committee ensures that artists receive the consideration and recognition that we require to succeed. An opportunity unlike any other, it has already had an overwhelmingly positive impact on my career, and visibility within the art world.”

“In Saudi Arabia, there are many incredibly talented artists, but we don’t often have the tools available to us to reach our desired audience,” says Alaa Alghufaili. “The Misk Art Grant not only provides space and time for artists to create work, but also establishes our relationship with the Institute’s network of industry leaders and a culturally rich audience.”

Featured image: Prince Faisal bin Fahad Arts Hall.

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