DOHA, 01 August 2026: Fire Station, Qatar Museums’ contemporary art hub, is pleased to announce the Open Call for the second edition of its Artists Intensive Study Programme (AISP) 2027, inviting emerging visual artists from Qatar and around the world to apply for the fully funded nine-month programme, which will run from March to November 2027.
The programme, led by internationally acclaimed artist and Fire Station Artistic Director Wael Shawky, offers a transformative opportunity for emerging and passionate artists to engage in an immersive, interdisciplinary environment where they can develop their practice through studio-based learning, critical dialogue, mentorship, and interdisciplinary exchange.
The programme brings together 25 emerging Qatari and international artists, providing participants with the chance to refine their technical skills, broaden their conceptual approaches, and expand their artistic practice through a rigorous curriculum that combines practical experience with theoretical learning.
The AISP offers an intensive, nine-month curriculum that includes practice-based workshops, seminars, group critiques, and lectures led by established artists, curators, and theorists. This combination of studio work, theoretical input and critical discourse aims to supplement traditional art education and nurture a new generation of innovative, critical artists.
The programme not only offers an immersive learning experience but also provides participating artists with a platform to showcase the work developed throughout the programme in a final exhibition curated by Wael Shawky, marking the culmination of their experimental learning journey.
"The Artists Intensive Study Programme is designed to create an environment where artists are encouraged to challenge their practice, exchange ideas across cultures, and develop new ways of thinking. By bringing together emerging artists from diverse backgrounds alongside internationally recognised artists and practitioners, we aim to foster meaningful dialogue that broadens contemporary intellectual discourse beyond the Western Hemisphere. Through a curriculum shaped by diverse perspectives, the programme cultivates a unique network of global cultural communities," said Wael Shawky, Artistic Director of Fire Station.
The jury for the 2027 edition comprises distinguished figures from the international arts scene: HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums; Wael Shawky; Tom Eccles; Chus Martínez; Emily Jacir; Hans Ulrich Obrist; Vincenzo de Bellis; Eugene Tan; and HE Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, AISP 2027 reflects Fire Station's continued commitment to nurturing and supporting emerging artistic talent and contributing to the growth of the region's cultural landscape.
The programme is open to emerging visual artists aged between 18 and 35 from around the world. Applicants should demonstrate a clear artistic practice and a commitment to exploring and expanding it, as well as a willingness to engage in both creative and intellectual challenges. They should also have a passion for working in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment and a strong motivation to produce and present new work at the conclusion of the programme.
International participants will receive flights, accommodation and a living allowance for the duration of the programme. There are no tuition or application fees.
Applications close on 5 September 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews in October and November 2026, with successful applicants notified in mid-December 2026.
Applications can be submitted online at: https://qmforms.qm.org.qa/form/AISP-2
For more information, visit www.firestation.org.qa or contact firestation@qm.org.qa
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