Open Call from SAHA Studio!

SAHA Studio is accepting applications from artists working in the field of visual arts, for the 13^th term of its program between January - June 2027!

SAHA Studio, a multifaceted research and production program for artists, curators and writers, offers its participants a personal workspace at its venues in İMÇ, honorarium and a production budget during the 6-month period. The program also includes curatorial feedback, production support and networking opportunities, aiming to enhance the participants’ research and production processes.

Throughout the program, resident artists carry out their practice and expand their network further by working alongside fellow residents and guests of the SAHA Curatorial Program in addition to curators, researchers and art professionals from Turkey. Events such as studio meetings, exhibition and collection visits support participants’ artistic process and development, while artists share their research and preliminary works with audiences, receive feedback that assists in the further advancement of their projects during the mid-term gatherings. At the end of each term, SAHA Studio Open brings together presentations of newly developed projects and public events that encourage in-depth discussions about the creative processes and contexts behind the new works of the term artists.

Founded in 2019, SAHA Studio is supported by a preliminary jury composed of artists with prior experience in the program to make the selection process more inclusive. The preliminary jury changes every year and covers two terms is comprised of seven previous term artists. Applicants that are highlighted by the majority of the preliminary jury are then evaluated by a Selection and Advisory Board, which also provides feedback to participants throughout the term. After this stage, the board selects 5 artists to participate in term, following interviews conducted with the shortlisted candidates. While there are no specific requirements regarding medium or age, the selection process considers artists’ potential to benefit from SAHA Studio facilities, the interaction they will create at SAHA Studio through their individual and mutual experiences, and to give opportunities to artists from outside Istanbul.

For its 12^th term between July – December 2026 and 13^th term between January – June 2027, the new preliminary jury comprises Sibel Horada, Metehan Özcan, Merve Ünsal, Cansu Çakar, İrem Tok, Nadir Sönmez and Suat Öğüt while the Selection and Advisory Board includes artist Nuri Kuzucan, independent curator Duygu Demir and SAHA director Serra Yentürk.

With the introduction of the Open Call, a preliminary jury was established for the first time for the 8^th and 9^th terms, which included Larissa Araz, Kerem Ozan Bayraktar, Ege Kanar, İz Öztat, Burcu Yağcıoğlu, Burak Delier and Gizem Karakaş from the first seven terms of the program, while the Selection and Advisory Board consisted of Serra Yentürk, independent curator Eda Berkmen and artist Taner Ceylan. For the 10^th and 11^th terms the preliminary jury was composed of Özgür Demirci, Gülşah Mursaloğlu, Onur Gökmen, Ali Miharbi, Evrim Kavcar, Merve Kılıçer and Kıymet Daştan while the Selection and Advisory Board included artist Gözde İlkin, independent curator Merve Elveren, and Serra Yentürk.

Opportunities provided by SAHA Studio:

- Personal workspace and mutual workshop environment at SAHA Studio for 6 months
- Accommodation and transportation for participants invited from out-of-town
- Budget (up to 200.000 TRY) including honorarium and research, production, exhibition, and event expenses
- Basic equipment and crew assistance for production and installation
- Curatorial, editorial, and legal counseling
- Participation in SAHA's art and learning programs

Documents to provide at application:

• Application Form (pdf file available on the bottom of the page)
• Project proposal (max. 500 words)
• Draft budget (including research, production and presentation costs)
• Resume / curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages)
• Portfolio (max. 20 pages)
• Works produced within the last 5 years should be prioritized (if the applicant sees fit, they may share earlier works, provided the page limit is not exceeded).
• Should comprise a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 pages
• Each page may present no more than one or two projects
• All works must be accompanied by complete captions (title, medium, dimensions, and date)
• For video, sound, or similar projects, please ensure that all links provided are active and publicly accessible.

- Copies of press reviews and/or catalog scans (if applicable)
- Reference letter (if applicable)

Important Notes:
- The project submitted must not be part of preparation for any commercial gallery exhibition.
- Artist duos or collectives may apply to the open call. Projects with multiple participants, or those benefiting from different support, must give details of this in the application.
- The program is open to applications from professionally practicing artists. However, please note that the SAHA Studio space operates Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm.

Please merge all documents in a single PDF of max 7 MB in the order above and send to sahastudio@saha.org.tr with the subject “SAHA Studio 13 – Application”

DEADLINE                                : 14 November 2026, 6 pm (GMT+3)
Application Period                      : 24 October – 14 November 2026
Evaluation Period                       : 15 November – 22 December 2026
Beginning of term                      : 15 January 2027