Art Jameel launches a Curatorial Open Call for exhibition proposals, to be developed for Hayy Arts’s first floor gallery at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah for May 2026.

APPLY HERE.

Art Jameel is interested in exhibition proposals that engage with themes pertaining to the Red Sea – including but not limited to its connected geographies, histories, ecologies, or the movement of people and ideas.

The awarded curator will work alongside the Art Jameel team who will provide guidance on the exhibition’s development, exhibition production and design, logistics, and installation.

Eligibility:

• Open to curators working anywhere whose research and exhibition making engages with topics that might include (but are not limited to):
  • Red Sea ecologies.
  • Red Sea histories of migration – the movement of people and ideas.
  • Connected geographies across the Red Sea (e.g. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Palestine, Jordan).
  • Hejazi histories.
  • Red Sea architectural histories.
  • Red Sea histories of trade, food, etc. 

• For Saudi/Saudi-based curators: able to obtain a freelance permit or its equivalent.
• 3 years of exhibition-making or related experience.
• Collectives welcome to apply.
• You may not include your own artwork in the exhibition.
• Applicants must be able to travel to Jeddah for:
  • One scoping visit between November and December 2025 for up to 3 days.
  • On site with the team for up to two weeks between January 2026 and March 2026.
  • For up to two weeks to install and open the exhibition at the end of April and early May 2026.
  • For up to one week for exhibition de-install in September 2026 if required.

• An exhibition [group or solo] to be delivered in the first-floor gallery of Hayy Arts for May 2026.
• Full exhibition concept including checklist of loan-able works.
• One curatorial essay [between 3,000-5,000 words].
• captions and interpretive texts.
• A proposal for 2-3 public programmers related to the exhibition concept.
• The selected curator must act as the main point of contact for liaising with artists and the institution and be available for interviews virtually/ in-person in Jeddah during the exhibition run.
• You may not include your own artwork in the exhibition.

Application Requirements:

1. Brief Curatorial Statement, including working title ( up to 200 words)
2. Detailed exhibition proposal explaining exhibition’s concept in addition to its relevance to Hayy Jameel’s mission and programming (approx. 600- 1,000 words)
3. Prior research/ literature review (up to 800 words)
4. Checklist of proposed works (Image, title, date, medium, technical requirements, lender) ** with caveat that this is subject to change following Art Jameel’s input, and based on feasibility of shipping/availability/budget/space constraints
5. Artist list and artist bios
6. One writing sample
7. CV highlighting relevant experience.

Useful links:

• Hayy Jameel first floor gallery floor plan: here. 
• Artwork checklist template for download: here.

Award Details:

• Curatorial fee of 37,500 SAR.
• Curator travel and accommodation fees to be covered by Art Jameel.
• Artists fees, travel and accommodation will be covered by Art Jameel.
• All related exhibition costs to do with producing, installing and promoting the exhibition to be covered by Art Jameel.

Timeline:

Open Call Applications Start:        Feb 23, 2025
Open Call Closes:                         April 25, 2025
Winner Announcement:                 May 2025
Check-in meetings with team:       May 2025
Install & Build:                               April / May 2026
Exhibition opening:                       May 2026
Exhibition closing:                        September 2026