Collection Research Fellowship

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Collection Research Fellowship 2027–2029 at Sharjah Art Foundation

Organisation: Sharjah Art Foundation
Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), with off-site research periods
Duration: March 2027 – March 2029 (24 months)
Support: AED 20,000 stipend, research resources, travel and accommodation support
Application deadline: 30 November 2026, 11:59 pm (GMT+4)

About the Fellowship

Sharjah Art Foundation invites applications for its Collection Research Fellowship, a two-year programme supporting sustained research into the Foundation’s collection and archives.

The first cycle focuses on the studio and archive of Hassan Sharif, bringing together artworks, objects and documents related to his artistic practice, networks and wider social and cultural contexts.

Fellows will have access to Sharif’s experimental works, installations, drawings, paintings, performance documentation, personal library and archival materials, alongside the Foundation’s wider collection and research resources.

Working closely with the Collections and Learning and Research teams, selected fellows will develop independent research projects contributing to the documentation, interpretation and understanding of the collection.

Research Activities and Outcomes

Fellows will undertake research both remotely and in the UAE, with a schedule developed around their individual projects and the Foundation’s programme requirements.

The fellowship includes:

Research into Hassan Sharif’s artistic practice, archives and historical context.
Engagement with the Foundation’s collection, library and publications.
Collaboration with the Collections and Learning and Research teams.
Regular research reviews, consultations and progress meetings.
Development of an original research publication or project in Arabic or English.
Opportunities to contribute to public talks, workshops and research presentations.

Research outcomes may take the form of a paper, booklet, artist’s book, audiovisual presentation or another agreed format.

Eligibility

The fellowship is open to researchers, curators, artists, writers, archivists, conservators and interdisciplinary practitioners interested in modern and contemporary art and the history of the Gulf and wider region.

Applicants should demonstrate:

Experience or a strong interest in research, writing, curatorial practice, archival work or a related field.
Knowledge of Gulf and regional art history and the contemporary art scene.
Strong reading proficiency in Arabic and writing proficiency in Arabic and/or English.
The ability to commit to the two-year programme, including mandatory meetings and milestones.
Availability to travel to the UAE for required research periods if based internationally.

Fellowship Support

Selected fellows will receive:

A total stipend of AED 20,000 for research and production.
Access to the Foundation’s collection, archives and library.
Research guidance and access to institutional networks.
Materials, printing and equipment support for their research outcomes.
Workspace and opportunities for public engagement.
Travel and accommodation support for agreed UAE-based periods for fellows residing outside the country.

The first required research phase in the UAE will take place between March and May 2027, with subsequent periods agreed individually.

Image: Courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation.