The Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival has officially opened its call for submissions for the 2027 edition, inviting artists and filmmakers worldwide to respond to the theme “Lost in Translation.”
Open Call Overview
Organized by the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, the festival continues to grow as one of the UAE’s leading cultural platforms—set within the historic Al Jazeera Al Hamra.
- Application Window: April 6 – June 5, 2026
- Submission Fee: Free
- Eligibility: Open to all nationalities and backgrounds
- Categories: Emerging artists, established artists, filmmakers, and students
Theme: “Lost in Translation”
Inspired by Lost in Translation, the 2027 theme explores the emotional and cultural complexities of navigating unfamiliar environments. It goes beyond language to examine identity, belonging, and the subtle tensions of existing “in between” places, cultures, and states of mind.
Artists are encouraged to reflect on:
- Migration, memory, and displacement
- Cultural exchange and miscommunication
- Emotional distance and connection
- Transformation through unfamiliar experiences
Ultimately, the theme frames uncertainty not as a barrier, but as a space for discovery and new forms of identity.
Who Can Apply
The open call welcomes a wide spectrum of creatives:
- Emerging Artists building their practice
- Established Artists with a professional exhibition history
- Filmmakers (narrative, documentary, animation)
- Students aged 6–19
Accepted Mediums
Submissions can include:
- Photography
- Painting / Drawing
- Sculpture / Installation
- Video Art
- Short Film
Applicants may submit up to four works total (maximum two per medium across two mediums).
Submission Requirements
- Artwork statement (max 100 words)
- CV and short biography (max 200 words)
- Digital files (low-resolution for initial submission)
- No previously submitted works from the past four years
Curatorial Direction
The 2027 edition is led by Festival Director Suqrat bin Bisher and curated by Sharon Toval, whose practice emphasizes cross-cultural dialogue and inclusive storytelling.
Why It Matters
Set against the backdrop of a preserved Emirati heritage site, the festival creates a rare intersection between contemporary global art and local history. It offers artists not just exhibition space, but a platform for meaningful engagement with themes of identity, transition, and cultural exchange.
For artists exploring ideas of belonging and transformation, Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival 2027 presents a compelling opportunity to translate those experiences into powerful visual narratives.