421: Call for Exhibition Proposals
421 invites curators and curatorial collectives to submit full proposals for an exhibition to be developed and presented at 421 during Winter/Spring 2027. This opportunity supports curators in researching, learning from, and working closely with contemporary artistic practices in the UAE and wider Arabic-speaking geographies, including diasporic contexts.
421 is seeking tightly framed curatorial proposals grounded in critical inquiry and ready for exhibition development. Submissions must demonstrate a coherent and articulated curatorial vision at the time of application.
Applicants are invited to reflect on the following prompts:
What narratives are currently shaping Arabic-speaking geographies?
What artistic gestures are emerging from the margins of these contexts?
How can curatorial work become a space for listening, translation, and reimagination?
Support and Resources
A competitive curatorial fee (to be shared in the case of a collective)
Full production support, including fabrication, shipping, and installation
Comprehensive exhibition marketing and promotion by 421
Development of interpretative materials in collaboration with the curator and artists
Exhibition venue: Gallery 2 at 421
421 encourages experimental exhibition formats, though significant architectural changes to the space (such as new walls or ceiling structures) are generally discouraged unless essential to the curatorial concept.
Apply by Monday, 20 October, 2025.
ABOUT 421 ARTS CAMPUS
421 Arts Campus is an independent platform dedicated to emerging artists and creative practitioners in the UAE and across the region. A site for research, learning and experimentation, 421 provides a nurturing environment for emergent creative practices and those who want to harness the arts as an agent for social inquiry and transformation. 421 encourages practitioners to explore the potential of public spaces as a means for progress and community engagement through a wide-ranging programmatic model that facilitates artistic exchange and critical dialogue.
Located in Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed, 421 presents a year-round program of exhibitions, talks, workshops, special events and educational initiatives that offer accessible learning opportunities to the wider community and the general public. Many of the 421 programs are organized in collaboration with local, regional and international partners, engaging children, students, educators, and creative professionals in a participatory approach to artistic and creative practice. These programs are designed to develop artistic and creative skills, supporting the growth of the UAE’s creative ecosystem.