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Open call for artists

Exhibition at the Next Economies Forum, at Heliopolis University in Cairo

Apply by 15 October 2026

Thank you for your interest in taking part. This form is a first expression of interest.

The deadline is Thursday 15 October 2026. A selection committee reviews every response, and you will hear from us in November 2026.

Before you start, please read the full open call below. Any questions, write to nef@turetim.org.

Exhibition

The Next Economies Forum exhibition is a curated space alongside the Next Economies Forum 2027, and presents works selected for this site and shown across several locations during the four days of the gathering.

Who this is for

We invite artists whose work engages economic systems transformation, understood as ecological and social justice approached from an economic perspective. We look for practices that engage critically with the economic structures beneath our ways of living, and that open the imagination toward other ways of organising them. This also includes artists whose practice has grown within education, healthcare, social work, NGO work, and collaborative settings.

▪ Emerging artists and established artists are equally welcome.

▪ We especially welcome artists based in Egypt and Türkiye, alongside international artists.

▪ We invite artists who would like to explore longer-term collaborations. Beyond the exhibition, our aim is for this community to grow into a lasting network, and into a recognised voice for artists within the next economies ecosystem.

Works

The exhibition is open to various artistic disciplines, with a priority for:

▪ Performative works such as performance, movement, poetry, and spoken word, including work made or performed on site during the forum.

▪ Digital works such as video, video documentation, media art, and recorded performance, shown on the screens available on campus.

▪ Size-confined, lightweight works such as prints, which can travel without freight.

▪ Socially-engaged works are also encouraged.

▪ Works that can be set up or prepared within 2-3 days.

Taking part

Selected artists join the three days of the forum as a closely hosted group, arriving a few days earlier for setup and preparation and staying around a week in total. They are featured on the forum website and are part of its programme.

The forum is a non-profit initiative, and funding for artists’ participation is being raised on the basis of the selected artists' needs. Accommodation is arranged together with the selected artists.

Please indicate in your application whether you have access to support for travel and stay. For selected artists without support, we will seek funding from dedicated sources to cover their expenses. We cannot yet guarantee coverage.

How to participate

Share your interest through the form by 15 October 2026.

It asks for:

▪ a short personal statement on why you work in this field and how you see the role of art in economic and social transformation, written (up to 500 words) or as a video message (up to 3 minutes)

▪ a documentation of your practice (a link to your website or a short PDF), with previous work that situates you in the field, such as projects, workshops, or collaborations

a brief indication of the work you would bring (a detailed proposal is not required at this stage)

▪ a note on your situation for travel and stay

A selection committee reviews every response. You’ll hear back from us in November 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact: nef@turetim.org