421 Artistic Development Program (ADP) 2026 - 2027
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The 421 Artistic Development Program (ADP) supports UAE-based artists in deepening their practice through experimentation, critical inquiry, and sustained mentorship. Over 10 months, artists are encouraged to take risks, test new directions, and develop a substantial body of work grounded in curiosity, vulnerability, and rigorous exploration. The program nurtures practices that are inquisitive, process-driven, and open to transformation. Designed for up to five participants, it offers a research-driven and process-oriented environment that encourages artists to challenge their assumptions, test new methods, and engage deeply with their practice.
Eligibility
The program is open to UAE-based early-career and mid-career artists working across all disciplines and mediums.
Applicants must:
- Be 21 years or older
- Commit fully to the program schedule and requirements
- Demonstrate a sustained artistic practice
- Be at a stage of transition, expansion, or new direction
- Be willing to experiment, fail, rethink, take risks, and follow their curiosity
Support Provided
- Studio space
- Production funding (to support materials, experimentation, technical processes, and research necessary for building the new body of work)
- Curatorial, constructive, and technical engagement
Selection Criteria
- Clarity and depth of artistic direction
- Evidence of a sustained, rigorous, and reflective practice
- Willingness to experiment, fail, take risks, and follow curiosity
- Capacity to engage critically within a mentorship-driven environment
- Alignment with the experimental ethos of the program
Required Materials
- Artist statement
- Proposed direction for your developmental period
- Portfolio of recent work
- CV
- Brief description of anticipated technical needs
- Confirmation of full availability