Art Jameel–an independent, international organization that supports arts, education, and heritage in the Middle East–announces an Open Call for proposals to Art Jameel Commissions: Digital. Responding to unprecedented global events, the third cycle of Art Jameel’s multi-year commissioning program has been adjusted and expanded to include a new iteration designed for maximum audience engagement, regardless of location. The 2020 commission also provides an opportunity for mentoring by technical experts from MIT’s Abdul Latif Jameel World Education Lab (J-WEL).
Art Jameel Commissions: Digital invites artists to propose engaging projects and artworks that create interactive experiences for online audiences. The commission focuses on the theme of "Time"—thinking through how our usual concept of time has been challenged by technology and circumstance, and even at times appeared to be canceled, lost or frozen. The commission also presents an opportunity to rethink and reboot our understanding of “digital art” and the ways in which it can question, investigate, and form meaningful connections and experiences. This commission is primarily interested in ideas and experiences, rather than technological hard or software: submissions for Art Jameel Commissions: Digital should address a specific aspect of time today, and inventively translate this into a digital interface that helps us re-examine what time has been, is—or could be.
The awardee will be granted a prize of USD 7,500, in addition to a dedicated production budget for their project, which will be hosted and promoted on Jameel Arts Centre website. The winner will also receive curatorial support, both during the production process and during launch, and technical mentorship and support in collaboration with MIT J-WEL. The work will enter the collection of Art Jameel.