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Introduced in 2013 to cultivate public engagement with photography as an artistic medium, VPS has evolved from a presentation of images by UAE-based photographers to a global event encompassing all forms of the lens-based art.
Original work
Starting with this edition, VPS will now be presented in the Foundation’s new Photography Gallery in Al Manakh, Sharjah, which offers 450 square metres of exhibition space supported by a range of facilities and resources. In line with these changes, VPS is introducing an additional segment to its programme: production support for artists to create an original body of work.
Through this open call, four photographers will be selected to receive a production fee of 40,000 AED each as well as a separate artist fee to develop a photographic series that will premiere at the exhibition, slated to open in July 2026.
While artists can present existing works, the emphasis will remain on the development of new photographic series. The programme supports artists from all backgrounds, disciplines and photographic styles, particularly those pushing the boundaries of the medium and exploring photography’s evolving role in contemporary art.
The deadline for submission is 11:59 pm, UAE local time (GMT+4), on 31 October 2025.
For more detailed information and to apply, visit sharjahart.org.
About Sharjah Art Foundation
Sharjah Art Foundation is an advocate, catalyst and producer of contemporary art within the Emirate of Sharjah and the surrounding region, in dialogue with the international arts community. The Foundation advances an experimental and wide-ranging programmatic model that supports the production and presentation of contemporary art, preserves and celebrates the distinct culture of the region and encourages a shared understanding of the transformational role of art. The Foundation’s core initiatives include the long-running Sharjah Biennial, featuring contemporary artists from around the world; the annual March Meeting, a convening of international arts professionals and artists; grants and residencies for artists, curators and cultural producers; ambitious and experimental commissions and a range of travelling exhibitions and scholarly publications.
Established in 2009 to expand programmes beyond the Sharjah Biennial, which launched in 1993, the Foundation is a critical resource for artists and cultural organisations in the Gulf and a conduit for local, regional and international developments in contemporary art. The Foundation’s deep commitment to developing and sustaining the cultural life and heritage of Sharjah is reflected through year-round exhibitions, performances, screenings and educational programmes in the city of Sharjah and across the Emirate, often hosted in historic buildings that have been repurposed as cultural and community centres. A growing collection reflects the Foundation’s support of contemporary artists in the realisation of new work and its recognition of the contributions made by pioneering modern artists from the region and around the world.
Sharjah Art Foundation is a legally independent public body established by Emiri Decree and supported by government funding, grants from national and international nonprofits and cultural organisations, corporate sponsors and individual patrons. Hoor Al Qasimi serves as President and Director. All exhibitions are free and open to the public.
About Sharjah
Sharjah is the third largest of the seven United Arab Emirates, and the only one bridging the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Reflecting the deep commitment to the arts, architectural preservation and cultural education embraced by its ruler, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Sharjah is home to more than 20 museums and has long been known as the cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates. It was named UNESCO's Arab Capital of Culture for 1998 and the UNESCO World Book Capital for 2019.
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