Cairo Calling: Emerging Performing Artists from Egypt, the Arab World, & the UK Open Call

The Arab Arts Focus aims to provide Arab artists with opportunities and platforms to showcase their work, support the contemporary arts scene, amplify diverse voices from the region, and pave the way for mutual understanding between the Arab world and other cultures.
The AAF operates on three main tiers: organising and producing Arab performing arts showcases in D-CAF and other festivals; producing works for established Arab artists; and disseminating a catalogue of Arab performances through global networks and markets. Through its three tiers, the AAF acts as a platform and market to provide Arab artists with opportunities to showcase and tour their work abroad, securing financial stability, building new audiences, and
expanding their reach.

Within the platform’s framework, and during the 12th edition of the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF) we are excited to launch Cairo Calling: Emerging Performing Artists from Egypt, the Arab World, & the UK. We will host 10 emerging performing artists for a residency and training sessions during D-CAF in Cairo from October 17th to November 10th, and showcase an additional 4 performances from November 7th to November 9th.

These are two separate activities within the program, and will require separate applications. The details for each are listed below. Applicants can apply for both.

1. The Training Program

Ten emerging artists from Egypt, the Arab region, and the United Kingdom will be hosted for three weeks, the duration of the 12th edition of the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF) in Cairo, to participate in an intensive training program and interact with the festival’s performances.

Morning sessions will focus on the participants’ artistic approach and style, and how to promote their work regionally and globally, enabling the artists to develop their artistic and professional skills simultaneously.

Participants will enjoy attending D-CAF performances in the evening and will have the opportunity to meet the artists after the shows to discuss the festival’s performances.

Over the three weeks, participants will prepare summaries of their projects to present to a panel of programmers from the Arab region and the United Kingdom.

2. Performances Showcase

Four dynamic performances featuring emerging artists from Egypt, the wider Arab region, and the United Kingdom will showcase the Cairo audience and captivate a panel of programmers from across the Arab world and the UK. We seek visionary works that push boundaries, spark curiosity, and deeply resonate with contemporary themes.For further inquiries and communication, please contact Project Manager Lina Sakr at [email protected].

Program Overview: HERE

For more details and to apply for the training program, visit this LINK

For more details and to apply for the performance program, visit this LINK

Separate applications are required for each program.