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The 52nd Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition announces its open call for artists in Bahrain to submit their applications.

The 52^nd Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition announces its open call for artists in Bahrain to submit their applications.

Under the patronage of H.R.H. Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the 52nd Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition will be held in January 2026.

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities is now accepting online applications until 15 November 2025.

Application Conditions

• Applicants must be Bahraini nationals or residents of Bahrain aged 18 and above.
• Submitted artworks must be original and produced within the past year.
• The maximum allowed size per artwork is 2m x 3m. Submissions exceeding these dimensions will not be accepted.
• Sculptures must not exceed 100kg in weight or 2.5m in height.
• Dedicated areas will be allocated for installation works. If an installation consists of multiple components, the total occupied space (including the internal spacing between components) must not exceed the area allocated to the artist.
• For installation works, a comprehensive submission is required, including a clear 3D model or visual representation. Sketches alone will not be accepted. Once a work is initially approved, it must remain identical to the original proposal, with no modifications permitted.
• A maximum of three artists may collaborate on a single installation work.
• For digital art, artists are responsible for providing their own materials and appropriate display equipment (such as a screen, projector, or similar), to be used within the allocated area.
• Each artist may submit between one and four artworks. The selection committee reserves the right to choose some or all of the submitted works.
• Incomplete applications or submissions that do not meet the stated requirements will be disqualified.
• Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
• Each submission must include an artwork statement (500 words) outlining the concept, medium, and relevance of the work. It is a critical component of the submission for the selection committee and the jury.

Evaluation Criteria

Artworks will be assessed by the selection committee based on the following criteria:

1. Visual impact
2. Thematic coherence – a clear and consistent theme or narrative across artworks
3. Composition and design
4. Innovation and creativity
5. Alignment with the exhibition’s curatorial vision

Phase One: Application and Initial Selection

• The exhibition will open at the Bahrain National Museum in January 2026.
• Applications must be submitted online through the official website: culture.gov.bh or via the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities’ page.
• Application period: 15 September – 15 November 2025.
• Initial selection will be based entirely on the submitted digital materials. Results will be announced on 20 November 2025.
• Artists who pass Phase One will be invited to proceed to the second round, during which the selection committee may request to view artworks in person for final evaluation.

Phase Two: Artwork Delivery and Installation

• Accepted artworks must be delivered between 20 November and 10 December 2025.
• The selection committee may contact certain artists to further discuss the concept or clarify details of their submitted work.
• All decisions made by the selection committee are final and cannot be appealed.
• All works must strictly correspond to the submitted and approved proposal; no changes or modifications are allowed.
• Setup of installation works will take place prior to the exhibition opening, with specific dates communicated in advance.

Phase Three: Post-Exhibition Process

• After the exhibition concludes, artists are required to collect their artworks within 15 days. Any works not collected during this period will be stored by the Authority for an additional 15 days.
• If the artwork is still not collected after this extended period, the artist will forfeit any right to claim the work, and the Authority reserves the right to either incorporate it into the museum’s permanent collection or dispose of it at its discretion.

How to Apply

• Applications must be submitted exclusively through the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities’ website: culture.gov.bh
• A clear and recent personal photo of the participating artist must be provided.
• High-resolution photographs of the submitted artworks are required.
• A brief artist biography (maximum 500 words).
• An artist statement explaining the concept and philosophy of the work (maximum 500 words).
• Only complete applications will be reviewed by the selection committee.
• Once accepted, artists will be contacted via email regarding the delivery of their artworks. All communication will be conducted by email.

Artist’s Commitment

• The artist guarantees that all submitted works are original, individually created, and do not infringe on the rights of others.
• The artist commits not to withdraw their works during the exhibition period and to ensure the safe and proper handling of their artworks.
• Submitting an application through the official online portal on the Authority’s website constitutes a legal acknowledgment that the artist has read, understood, and fully agrees to all the terms and regulations governing the exhibition, without the need for a separate signed document.
• The artist is responsible for retrieving their artworks within the announced collection period.
• The Authority will oversee any necessary restoration in the event of damages occurring during setup; the artist is not entitled to compensation unless damage was proven to be intentional.
• Any violation of the terms or misrepresentation of information will result in disqualification and a ban on participation for up to two future editions.
• The artist has no right to interfere with exhibition policies unless specifically invited by the organising committee.