Futures in Formation: A Public Art Programme 2026–2027 (India)

Deadline: 20-Apr-2026

The Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA) and Serendipity Arts Foundation (SAF) have launched the second edition of Futures in Formation: A Public Art Programme. The programme supports Indian artists and collectives with Rs. 3 lakh each to develop community-engaged public art projects in India between 1 June 2026 and 31 March 2027.

About the Programme

Futures in Formation is a public art fellowship designed to support innovative, site-responsive, and community-engaged artistic projects across India.

It is a collaborative initiative by:

• Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA)

• Serendipity Arts Foundation (SAF)

The programme encourages artists to rethink the public realm through:

• Participation

• Dialogue

• Community collaboration

• Shared environments

• Inclusive engagement

Funding and Fellowship Period

• Grant amount: Rs. 3 lakh per selected fellow

• Programme period: 1 June 2026 to 31 March 2027

The funding can support:

• Research

• Production

• Dissemination

• Community mobilisation

• Other project implementation needs

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must be:

• Individuals or collectives

• 18 years or older

• Indian citizens

• Currently residing in India

Thematic Areas

Applicants can submit proposals under one or more connected themes.

Priority themes include:

• Reimagining the commons through community and collective formations

• Sites of memory and contemporary forms of remembering

• Ecologies of place and relationships between nature, urbanity, and coexistence

• Cultural currents, hybridities, and flows

• Site-specific practices across physical, symbolic, and virtual spaces

• Accessible futures focused on accessibility, diverse bodies, and inclusion in public space

Why This Programme Matters

This fellowship is important because it supports:

• Public art beyond gallery spaces

• Community-based artistic practice

• Socially engaged and participatory art

• Experimental site-specific work

• Inclusive and accessible approaches to public space

• New conversations around ecology, memory, and collective futures

It is especially relevant for artists who want to create public-facing work with strong social, spatial, and community relevance.

What Selected Fellows Receive

Selected fellows will receive:

• Rs. 3 lakh project support

• Opportunity to develop and implement a public art project

• Participation in a public forum during the fellowship

• Visibility through a collaborative platform led by FICA and SAF

How to Apply

Simple steps

1. Check eligibility
   Confirm that you are:

   • 18+

   • An Indian citizen

   • Residing in India

2. Choose your project idea
   Develop a public art proposal that connects with one or more of the programme themes.

3. Make it public-facing
   Ensure the project includes:

   • Community engagement

   • Site-based thinking

   • Public interaction or participation

   • Clear relevance to place or shared environments

4. Plan the budget
   Design a realistic project that can be completed within Rs. 3 lakh.

5. Prepare your proposal
   Clearly explain:

   • Concept

   • Community or site context

   • Artistic method

   • Timeline

   • Expected public engagement

   • Accessibility considerations

Tips for a Strong Proposal

• Show a clear relationship to place

• Explain how the work engages a community or public audience

• Include thoughtful accessibility and inclusion

• Keep the project feasible within the timeline and budget

• Avoid vague concepts—make the public outcome clear

• Demonstrate why the work belongs in the public realm, not just a gallery

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting a project that is not truly public art

• Ignoring community engagement

• Proposing a concept too large for Rs. 3 lakh

• Failing to explain the site or audience

• Using overly abstract language without a clear implementation plan

• Not addressing accessibility where relevant

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Futures in Formation?

It is a public art fellowship programme in India by FICA and Serendipity Arts Foundation supporting artists and collectives working in public and community contexts.

2. How much funding is available?

Each selected fellow receives Rs. 3 lakh.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are:

• Individuals or collectives

• Indian citizens

• 18 years or older

• Currently residing in India

4. What kind of projects are supported?

The programme supports public art projects that engage with:

• Communities

• Shared spaces

• Memory

• Ecology

• Cultural exchange

• Site-specific practice

• Accessibility and inclusion

5. What is the fellowship period?

The programme runs from 1 June 2026 to 31 March 2027.

6. Can collectives apply?

Yes. Both individual artists and collectives are eligible.

7. Is there any additional engagement beyond funding?

Yes. Selected fellows will also participate in a public forum during the fellowship period.

Conclusion

The Futures in Formation 2026 programme is a valuable opportunity for Indian artists and collectives interested in public art, community engagement, site-based practice, and inclusive creative work.

With Rs. 3 lakh per selected fellow, the programme is well suited for artists who want to create meaningful, participatory, and socially relevant public art projects across India.

For more information, visit Serendipity Arts Foundation.