About FCEA

Foundation for Contemporary and Emerging Art, an independent foundation dedicated to supporting contemporary and emerging artists, writers, and curators across South Asia through structured, transparent, and sustained support systems. FCEA seeks to create meaningful opportunities in regions where early-career pathways for creative practitioners are often limited. As a platform committed to discovering talent, nurturing artistic practice, and shaping sustainable futures, it aims to foster a thriving cultural ecosystem.

FCEA’s mission is to identify and empower promising voices through financial assistance, mentorship, ecosystem-building, and platforms that enhance visibility and long-term growth. The foundation champions authentic storytelling that reflects the realities of our time while creating democratic spaces for learning, collaboration, and creative exchange.

By building networks for outreach, strengthening awareness and advocacy, and providing direct support to practitioners, FCEA aspires to establish sustainable systems for creative practice and become a national platform for emerging talent across South Asia.

Open Call for FCEA Curatorial Fellowship 2026-27

For five years, the Inception Grant has championed the raw, honest, and unfiltered emerging voices of South Asia. Now, we are looking for the storytellers who can bridge the gap between deep expression and the human soul.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR EMERGING CURATORS

Those who are:

– Empathy-Led: You understand the vulnerability behind raw expression.

– Rooted: Your approach is grounded in research and a deep connection to the subject.

– Unfiltered: You value the artist’s truth over traditional gallery trends.

THE FELLOWSHIP SUPPORT

– The Grant: INR 100,000/ to support the research and curatorial process.

– The Platform: A solo-curated project at one of our spaces.

– Mentorship: Direct guidance from the team and assigned mentors to expand your professional practice.

– The Community: Integration into an ecosystem of emerging artists and young collectors.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

– Age: 35 & Under (as of December 31, 2026).

– Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Art or a Curatorial Certification.

– Experience: 2 instances of published journalistic writing on art, curatorial texts, or visual arts projects.

Applications Closed for 2026

HOW TO APPLY

Submissions must include:

The Narrative: A 600-word concept note on “honest storytelling” that aligns with the FCEA mission.

The Selection: A curated list of 5–8 emerging South Asian artists whose work you wish to showcase, including a brief rationale for their inclusion.

Spatial Intent: A brief description of how you navigate the dialogue between art and environment.

FOR QUERIES:

Write to us at: info@artincept.com

FAQs —

When will the curated exhibition take place? The Fellow’s project will be mounted within 12 months of selection. We’ve intentionally built in this runway; meaningful curation, especially of emerging voices, cannot be rushed. The timeline allows for research, sustained engagement with the artists, and considered production.

Who reviews the applications? For this inaugural edition, applications will be reviewed internally by FCEA leadership, with Gayatri Singh, Founder of FCEA, serving as the lead juror. As the Fellowship grows, we intend to bring in guest jurors from the wider South Asian curatorial community.

Who is the mentor? The Fellow will receive ongoing guidance from FCEA leadership throughout the program. Alongside this, we are in the process of confirming a curatorial mentor whose practice aligns with the Fellowship’s philosophy of empathy-led, deep-rooted storytelling. Details will be shared with the selected Fellow ahead of the project’s development phase.

What kind of curatorial proposal are you looking for? We are not prescriptive about themes. We are looking for a concept that pushes our emerging artists forward-one that takes raw, honest expression and shapes it into a narrative that lives meaningfully within the gallery space.

Do the 5–8 artists I propose need to already be part of the FCEA ecosystem? No. You are welcome to bring artists from your own network, propose artists already within the FCEA community, or combine both.

What kind of production support does FCEA provide? Pre-approved production and logistical support. This includes installation, technical setup, and on-ground coordination, allowing the Fellow to stay focused on the curatorial vision rather than operational logistics.