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OPEN CALL FOR BANGLADESHI ARTISTS

SAMDANI ART AWARD 2026: PARTICIPATION IN A GROUP EXHIBITION 

AT KUNSTHALLE BASEL, SWITZERLAND 

 

The Samdani Art Award was developed in 2012 to create an internationally recognised platform for emerging Bangladeshi artists, offering opportunities for international visibility, professional exchange, and long-term artistic development. Presented by the Samdani Art Foundation, the award has supported artists through exhibitions, residencies, and collaborations with leading international curators and institutions. Many previously shortlisted artists have gone on to participate in major exhibitions, residencies, and institutional programmes around the world.

 

As part of the 2026 Samdani Art Award, curators Diana Campbell and Mohamed Almusibli are inviting artists based in Bangladesh to apply for the opportunity to participate in Regionale 27 at Kunsthalle Basel, CH. This collaboration–initiated by Kunsthalle Basel and Pro Helvetia New Delhi–introduces a new curatorial focus for the 27th edition of the long-running tri-national exhibition project, which will take place from 26 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 across institutions in Switzerland, France, and Germany.

 

Artists will be shortlisted by Diana Campbell, Artistic Director, Samdani Art Foundation, and Mohammad Almusibli, Chief Curator and Director, Kunsthalle Basel, together with their teams. A jury in Basel will make the final selection for exhibition and determine the recipient of the Samdani Art Award 2026.

 

Through this open call, Bangladeshi emerging artists of all ages are invited to submit portfolios featuring available works that may be considered for exhibition at Kunsthalle Basel as part of Regionale 27. Shortlisted artists’ works will travel to Basel for exhibition, with all shipment and logistics managed by the Samdani Art Foundation. Please note that travel and accommodation expenses for artists visiting Switzerland will not be covered.

 

The Samdani Art Award has historically supported artists through international residencies and institutional collaborations. Since 2014, the foundation has been partnering with Delfina Foundation, London to provide residency for the winner of the art award. The 2023 edition was curated by Anne Barlow at the Dhaka Art Summit 2023. Award recipient Fazla Rabbi Fatiq participated in a residency at Delfina Foundation, while award recipient Purnima Akhter undertook a residency in Ghana, hosted by Ibrahim Mahama’s Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art and Red Clay.  For the 2026 edition, the recipient of the Samdani Art Award will participate in a residency at the Ashmolean Museum in partnership with the University of Oxford.

 

THE SHORTLISTED ARTISTS WILL RECEIVE:

  • Participation in the exhibition presented at Kunsthalle Basel as part of Regionale 27.

  • International exposure to curators, institutions, and audiences through the Regionale network.

  • Shipment and logistics support for selected works from Bangladesh to Switzerland and back, managed by the Samdani Art Foundation.

  • Opportunities for dialogue and exchange with international arts professionals connected to the Samdani Art Award and Regionale.

Eligibility

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Artists who apply must be:

  •  Emerging artists based in Bangladesh. There is no age restriction for artists considered emerging.

  • Currently living and working in Bangladesh. Exceptions may be made for students studying abroad or artists participating in temporary residency programmes.

  • Not permanently based abroad or living overseas for full-time employment.

  • Able to communicate in basic English.

  • Seeking an opportunity to further develop their artistic practice within an international context.

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Application Process

 

Applicants are expected to submit their applications through the Google Form.

Each application should include:

  • A completed application form.

  • A short CV detailing recent solo and group exhibitions, workshops, residencies, education, and relevant experience.

  • One portfolio-style PDF including:

                 - At least 15 high-quality images of recent works and selected examples of older works where relevant.

                 - Captions or short descriptions for all included works.

                 - Links to video, film, audio, or digital works (Vimeo, YouTube, personal website, etc.) embedded within the PDF.

                  - An indication of which works are currently available for exhibition.

 

Please combine all materials into one PDF file only.

  • Maximum file size: 20 MB

  • Google Drive, Dropbox, or WeTransfer links will not be accepted.

  • Applications submitted by email will not be accepted.

  • No printed materials, CDs, or DVDs will be accepted.

 

Deadline for applications

1 July 2026

 

All applicants will be informed of the status of their application. A selection of preliminary applicants will be contacted following the review process by the curators. Shortlisted artists for the exhibition will then be selected through one-to-one studio visits/interviews in August 2026. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

1.     The Samdani Art Award 2026 focuses on existing works. No new commissions or production grants will be provided for this edition.

2.     Selected artists must ensure that the submitted works are available for international exhibition during the exhibition period and shipment timeline.

3.     The Samdani Art Foundation will manage shipment and logistics for selected works traveling to and from Switzerland.

4.     The Samdani Art Foundation will not provide financial support for artist travel, accommodation, visas, or per diems related to visits to Switzerland.

5.     By applying, artists grant permission for submitted materials to be reviewed by the Samdani Art Foundation, invited curators, jury members, and participating institutional partners connected to the Samdani Art Award and Regionale 27.

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