Open Call For Artists-S.O.S ART Kenya

OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS 7th November 2026 - 9th January 2027 SOS Art Kenya invites artists, creatives, and cultural practitioners to submit work for SOS Art Kenya 2026, a collective exhibition and cultural programme bringing together diverse artistic voices, perspectives, and approaches to contemporary life in Kenya. The exhibition creates a space for artists to share work, engage audiences, build conversations, and explore the different ways art can document, question, remember, and reimagine our society. THE OPEN CALL We are looking for works that speak to the realities, memories, dreams, contradictions, and possibilities of contemporary Kenya. Artists are encouraged to submit work that explores ideas around Social Justice, the literal voices of the people. We welcome different interpretations and perspectives. The exhibition is not limited to one medium, style, or artistic approach. WHO CAN APPLY? The open call is open to: Emerging and established artists Visual artists, Photographers, Illustrators, Sculptors, Installation artists Printmakers, Textile and mixed-media artists, Poets and writers and Performance artists. Artists based in Kenya and artists with a strong connection to the Kenyan creative landscape are encouraged to apply. WHAT TO SUBMIT Applicants MUST submit: Artist name and contact information Short artist biography Images or documentation of 1-3 artworks The artworks should not exceed Ksh.400,000. Artwork titles, dimensions(cm), medium and year A short description of the submitted work Social media link, if available Artists may submit existing works or propose new work responding to the broader ideas of the exhibition. SELECTION Submissions will be reviewed by the SOS Art Kenya curatorial team. Selection will consider: Relevance to the exhibition's vision Strength of the artistic idea Quality and originality of the work Diversity of perspectives and practices Contribution to conversations around contemporary Kenya Selected artists will be contacted with further information regarding artwork delivery, installation, exhibition requirements, and participation in the wider programme. EXHIBITION PERIOD Opening: 7 November 2026 Exhibition continues: Through 9th January 2027 The exhibition will form part of a wider SOS Art Kenya programme that may include artist conversations, poetry, curatorial and vision talks, performances, and other public-facing cultural activities. JOIN THE CONVERSATION SOS Art Kenya 2026 is an invitation to artists to bring their voices into a shared space, to document where we are, remember where we have been, and imagine where we are going. Submit your work and become part of SOS Art Kenya 2026. OPEN CALL OPENS: 3rd September 2026 SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 3rd October 2026 Selected Artworks Submitted Physically: 11th - 13th October 2026 CONTACT: +254 741443678 SUBMISSION LINK: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAlpQLSdxyXBqW6lw-UtrQbArQrl Fgrao5DleXJDnFZ1yz d6Hq70g/viewform?usp=publish-editor