RAi Residency
Rizq Art Initiative is pleased to announce the return of its international residency programme. The residency invites emerging artists, curators, and theorists aged 25 to 40 who work across visual arts—including digital, traditional, new media, video, and photography—to apply.
A 12-week residency in Abu Dhabi is due to begin in November 2025.
Application deadline: 1 July 2025
The RAi Residency is a 12-week programme designed to provide opportunities for artists, curators, and theorists to develop their practice within a studio environment. It encourages residents to connect, collaborate, and expand their work through engagement with local communities and institutions.
Each cycle of the residency hosts four individuals: three artists and one curator or theorist.
RAi offers a platform for practitioners to incubate ideas, conduct research, participate in studio visits and workshops, and present their work in academic and cultural venues. The residency supports arts professionals in exploring contexts beyond their own, enriching their practice through dialogue and exchange.
Residency Awards
RAi also offers fully funded Residency Awards to selected individuals, based on applications reviewed periodically. These awards cover all residency costs.
RAi Residency Offers
RAi Communal Studio: 24/7 access to a shared studio space.
Single Room with Private Bathroom: Accommodation in a shared apartment, including a private room and bathroom, with communal kitchen and living areas.
Open Studios: A public event at the end of the 12-week residency to showcase the work developed during the programme.
Critique Sessions: At least two critical feedback sessions with curators after the fifth week.
Visa Support: All visa costs are covered, with full assistance provided during the application process.
Flights: Return economy flights from the resident’s home city to Abu Dhabi.
Weekly Stipend: AED 800 per week to support living expenses.
Materials Budget: A materials budget of up to AED 2,000 (based on actual expenses).
Support: Ongoing administrative, curatorial, and pastoral support during office hours.
Exposure: A dedicated residency page on the RAi website, including a short video or presentation of the resident’s work.
Exploration: Organised visits to key cultural venues such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Cultural Foundation, and Manarat Al Saadiyat, as well as day trips to desert and mangrove sites.
Networking: Opportunities to connect with fellow residents, arts professionals, patrons, and collectors.
Residents are expected to submit a written report at the conclusion of the programme, summarising their experiences and outcomes during the residency.