Tracing the Absent

Explore the tides of history and the evolution of traditions.

The Misk Art Grant is an annual initiative created to support, promote, and assist emerging and mid-career artists and designers who work across several media in realizing their dream projects. The first of its kind in the Kingdom, each year the Grant presents a theme and offers selected recipients opportunities to improve artistic practices by working closely with a selection of curators and mentors.

This year the Misk Art Grant theme asks artists from the Middle East and North Africa to reflect upon notions of tradition, of an Arab’s society's inherited rituals, practices, stories, and ways of thinking, that have changed over time. How can we safeguard our traditions and ancient customs in the contemporary world? 

The social and cultural codes have transformed over recent years and adapted to changing socio-economic and environmental conditions. Artists are asked to explore traditions that rely on understanding the interplay between the larger shared history of the region and the dynamic regional and local identities that make this a culturally rich and diverse area of the world.

Misk Art Grant Objectives:
The Grant champions artistic research by providing funding and access to mentorship. Grant recipients are able dedicate time and effort to creating works that tackle the chosen thematic focus while also expanding ongoing dialogs.
In short, the Grant:

• Provides funding opportunities for emerging and mid-career Saudi and Arab artists 

• Provides technical and conceptual advice and support from mentors

• Aims to enhance the quality of local creative production

• Provides the opportunity for recipients to engage with and become a part of the regional art scene

• Looks to encourage the production of regional artworks 

• Allows artists to experiment with novel and innovative ideas 

Who’s it for?

• Emerging and mid-career visual artists from the MENA who have previously participated in solo or group exhibitions, residencies, and/or participated in international galleries.

The Misk Art Grant Structure:
Grant recipients are given an orientation meeting welcoming them to the program and answering any lingering questions. Once contracts are signed, a kick-off meeting is arranged where recipients meet with from selection committee to discuss their project and how it can be developed. Committee members are assigned to each artist based on the expertise needed to support them and develop their work, whether conceptually, technically, or aesthetically.
Breakdown of sessions

• Kick-off meeting: Welcoming meeting with the grant recipients and the committee members 

• Session One: Recipients present their initial proposal for feedback from the mentors

• Session Two: Give constructive feedback to the artists on their progress

• Session Three: The artists present the final stage of the artwork with final comments from the mentors

Recipients are offered additional educational programing, which include masterclasses, and one-on-one sessions with mentors. The overall program aims to help enhance the artist's skills, inspire them, and develop an art community. 

Previous Grant Recipients:
2020: Muhannad Shono, Alaa AlGhufaili , Saad AlHowede, Ayman Zedani, and Hmoud AlAttawi 
2021: Rashed AlShashai, Obaid AlSafi, Mishari AlNajjar, Zoulikha Bouabdellah, Basmah Felemban, Latifa Saeed, Afra AlDaheri, Noor Alwan, and Mira AlMazrooei and Jawaher AlMutairi 
2022: Abdulmohsen AlBinali, Athoub AlBusaily, Juri AlFadhel, M’hammed Kilito, Rawdha AlKetbi, and Zeinab AlHashemi

Note: For inquiries, please contact us at ([email protected])