Open Call: Abwab Production Grant for Designers

The Abwab Production Grant for Designers 2026 invites designers and multidisciplinary practitioners from West, South, Southeast and East Asia, and the African continent to create exhibition projects exploring the theme “In Other Words.” The programme commissions participants to develop innovative design works for a curated group exhibition, encouraging creative exploration of language, communication, identity, and cultural exchange through multiple design disciplines.

About the Abwab Production Grant for Designers

The Abwab Production Grant for Designers is an international exhibition programme that commissions designers and creative practitioners to present original work reflecting contemporary regional and global issues through design.

The word “Abwab”, meaning “doors” in Arabic, symbolizes opportunities for cultural dialogue, collaboration, and creative exchange. For the 2026 edition, the programme shifts to a curated group exhibition, bringing together multiple designers whose individual works contribute to a shared exhibition environment rather than separate national or regional pavilions.

The initiative encourages participants to use design as a tool for storytelling, interpretation, and communication while highlighting diverse cultural perspectives.

Theme: In Other Words

The 2026 theme, “In Other Words,” explores language beyond spoken or written communication.

The exhibition investigates how language is:

• Spoken
• Remembered
• Translated
• Misunderstood
• Interpreted
• Visualized
• Performed
• Shared through design

Participants are encouraged to explore language as a lived experience across visual, spatial, auditory, and cultural forms.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Support innovative designers and multidisciplinary practitioners.
• Encourage experimental exhibition projects.
• Explore language through contemporary design.
• Promote cultural dialogue across regions.
• Showcase diverse perspectives on communication.
• Foster international collaboration and creative exchange.
• Commission original exhibition works.

Eligible Disciplines

Applications are welcome from practitioners working in:

• Graphic design
• Typography
• Architecture
• Spatial practice
• Writing
• Research
• Sound design
• Performance
• Publishing
• Digital media
• Multidisciplinary design practices

Focus Areas

Projects may explore themes such as:

• Language and communication
• Visual storytelling
• Translation
• Cultural identity
• Typography
• Oral histories
• Signage
• Digital interfaces
• Built environments
• Spatial communication
• Sound and voice
• Gestures
• Systems of exchange
• Memory
• Interpretation

Exhibition Format

Unlike previous editions, the 2026 programme will feature:

• A curated indoor group exhibition
• Individual contributions from multiple participants
• A shared exhibition environment
• Collaborative dialogue among diverse creative practices

Participants will develop independent works that collectively respond to the overall exhibition theme.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants should be:

• Designers
• Multidisciplinary practitioners
• Creative researchers
• Architects
• Graphic designers
• Typographers
• Writers
• Artists working across multiple disciplines

Applicants should be based in or connected to:

• West Asia
• South Asia
• Southeast Asia
• East Asia
• The African continent

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

Project Proposal

A concept statement explaining:

• The proposed project.
• Its relationship to the theme “In Other Words.”
• The intended exhibition experience.

Supporting Materials

Where applicable, applicants should include:

• Research materials
• Photographs
• Documentation
• Video files
• Material samples

Exhibition Presentation

Applicants should provide:

• Exhibition display concept
• Spatial presentation plan

Portfolio

Include examples of previous creative work.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Provide professional background and relevant experience.

Budget

Include:

• Estimated production costs
• Installation costs

Technical Information

Provide:

• Artwork dimensions
• Technical requirements

Project Timeline

Include a realistic schedule for project completion and exhibition preparation.

How to Apply

Step 1: Review the Theme

Carefully study the “In Other Words” theme and consider how your work explores language through design.

Step 2: Develop Your Concept

Prepare an original exhibition proposal that reflects:

• Communication
• Identity
• Culture
• Language
• Design thinking

Step 3: Gather Supporting Materials

Compile:

• Research documentation
• Images
• Videos
• Samples
• Previous work

Step 4: Prepare Technical Documents

Include:

• Portfolio
• CV
• Budget
• Installation plan
• Technical specifications
• Timeline

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Submit all required materials according to the programme guidelines before the application deadline.

Why This Grant Matters

The Abwab Production Grant offers designers an opportunity to:

• Present work on an international platform.
• Participate in a professionally curated exhibition.
• Explore socially relevant themes through design.
• Connect with an international creative community.
• Expand professional visibility.
• Experiment with new exhibition formats.
• Contribute to global conversations about language and communication.

The programme encourages innovative design that bridges cultures, disciplines, and forms of expression.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

• Clearly connecting the project to the exhibition theme.
• Demonstrating original design thinking.
• Presenting strong visual research.
• Explaining cultural relevance.
• Providing realistic production and installation plans.
• Including a well-curated portfolio showcasing previous work.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

• Submitting an unclear concept statement.
• Failing to explain the connection to the theme.
• Omitting required supporting materials.
• Providing unrealistic budgets or timelines.
• Ignoring technical presentation requirements.
• Submitting an incomplete portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Abwab Production Grant for Designers?

It is an international programme that commissions designers and multidisciplinary practitioners to create exhibition projects exploring contemporary themes through design.

2. What is the theme for the 2026 edition?

The theme is “In Other Words,” which explores language as a lived experience through visual, spatial, sonic, and cultural forms of communication.

3. Who can apply?

Designers and multidisciplinary practitioners from West, South, Southeast and East Asia, as well as the African continent, are encouraged to apply.

4. Which creative disciplines are eligible?

Eligible disciplines include graphic design, typography, architecture, spatial practice, writing, research, sound, performance, publishing, digital media, and multidisciplinary design practices.

5. What materials must be submitted?

Applicants must provide:

• Project concept statement
• Supporting research materials
• Exhibition display proposal
• Portfolio
• CV
• Budget
• Technical requirements
• Project timeline

6. What exhibition format will be used in 2026?

The programme will feature a curated group exhibition, where multiple participants contribute individual works within a shared exhibition environment.

7. Why is this programme valuable?

The programme provides an international platform for designers to showcase innovative work, engage with global audiences, explore contemporary cultural issues, and contribute to meaningful conversations about language and communication through design.

Conclusion

The Abwab Production Grant for Designers 2026 offers an exciting opportunity for designers and multidisciplinary practitioners from Asia and Africa to develop thought-provoking exhibition projects centered on the theme “In Other Words.” Through a collaborative group exhibition, participants can explore language, identity, communication, and cultural exchange while gaining international exposure, contributing to contemporary design discourse, and presenting innovative creative work on a globally recognized platform.