APPLICATION DEADLINE:
15h June, 2025
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Grant Period: 1st August 2025 - 1st February, 2026
Grant Amount: INR 50,000 ​
CATALYST GRANT
The Catalyst Grant supports Goa-based creative practitioners in the production of a new or ongoing body of work. Practitioners working in any medium are invited to apply. As the name suggests, the grant encourages artists to take risks and explore new challenges or ways of working within their existing practice. We welcome applications that spark debate, reflect on the socio-cultural landscape, and which introduce new ideas, methodologies or collaborations into an artists’ practice. Applicants may propose to use a range of mediums and forms including but not limited to photography, sculpture, painting, drawing, book making, textiles, ceramics, mixed media, and sound and video based works. Public facing and interactive works are encouraged, and applicants are welcome to consider activating their installations through audience participation, performance or other.
ENGAGE GRANT
The Engage Grant focuses on community based projects that have social engagement at their core. The proposal must indicate the community that the project seeks to engage, and be able to demonstrate how this community will benefit from the outcome of the grant. The community may be of any age group or background, as long as the project demonstrates their continued engagement in the project. Applicants from diverse backgrounds and fields including visual arts, film, theater & dance, culinary arts, food & gardening, climate & sustainability, sports, music etc. are welcome and encouraged to apply.
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While the project may be situated anywhere in Goa, the applicant must be able to present some kind of documentation or outcome of the project at the next Goa Open Arts public program in February 2026.
This opportunity is only for Goa-based creators. Individuals, groups or collectives may apply. In the case of a collective or group proposal, the primary applicant must be based in Goa.
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The grant amounts for the Catalyst and Engage projects are INR 50,000 each.
To apply, please submit a CV, Portfolio / Links to past work, and a Project Proposal which includes a budget by 15th June, 2025.
CATALYST & ENGAGE GRANTS 2025
Application deadline: 15 June 2025
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TERMS OF THE GRANT
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The Goa Open Arts CATALYST + ENGAGE Grants offer production, mentoring and exhibition support for Goa-based artists, to realise a new or ongoing body of work.
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Each grant of INR 50,000 will be made to artists / collectives working in any eligible medium.
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The realised work must be first exhibited at the next Goa Open Arts exhibition in February 2026.
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The outcome of the Engage Grant may be site-specific and located anywhere in Goa. The grantee must be able to show documentation or reference to the project as part of the Goa Open Arts exhibition in February 2026.
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All Grantees will be expected to be in Goa for the duration of the exhibition, and oversee the installation and de-installation of their work.
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All Grantees will be invited to conduct a workshop or public program during the course of the exhibition period.
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Applicants may apply for both the CATALYST and ENGAGE Grants. They will need to upload two separate applications.
ELIGIBILITY
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Any arts practitioner based in Goa is eligible to apply.
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There are no age restrictions on application.
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Arts include drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, graphic arts, performance, video art, sound art, online art, new-media practice, interdisciplinary or research-based practice, socially-engaged or public art projects and book and publishing practices.
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Individual or artist collectives may apply, if all the members are Goa-based. The application should be made in the name of the lead applicant.
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The grantee must be able to realise their project for display at the end of the grant period.
SELECTION
Projects will be assessed on the basis of the artists’ demonstrable commitment to her/his practice as well as of the strength of the proposal.
TIMELINE
Online Application Feedback & Review sessions: 20th May - 5th June
Application Deadline: 15th June, 2025
Grantee Announcement: 1st August, 2025
Grant Period: 1st August 2025 - 1st February, 2026
Exhibition: 20th February - 26 February, 2026
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please complete the Online Application Form.
You will need to upload the following documents as part of your online application. All sections are mandatory for your application to be considered elligble.
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CV (2 pages)
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Portfolio (No more than 20 pages)
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Proposal (2-4 pages, and should include the following components):
a) Project Outline (700-1000 words)
A brief introduction to your project idea, how it relates to your previous work/interests, and your proposed production plan. You may also include sketches and images to support your proposal.
b) Budget
In this section, please briefly outline how you propose to utilise the GOA Grant.
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Please read the FAQs below before applying
FAQ & important information
Q. Will I receive mentorship if awarded a grant?
A. All grantees will be mentored by a member of the Goa Open Arts organising committee. GOA will also organise additional peer-exchange sessions between all grant recipients and/or external mentors.
Q. Who is the jury?
A. The grant will be juried by members of the Goa Open Arts organising committee.
Q. If I live outside Goa am I eligible to apply?
A. No. The grant is only for artists who are based in Goa.
Q. If I was part of the Goa Open Arts Festival 2024, or received Catalyst Grant or Engage Grant in the past can I still apply for the grant?
A. Yes, artists who have exhibited before can still apply, however they must propose a new body of work, or a new iteration of a previously explored idea.
Q. What will happen to my work after it is completed?
A. The work will be first exhibited at the next Goa Open Arts public program scheduled for 2026.
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LEGAL OWNERSHIPS / COPYRIGHTS:
The artist will retain all legal ownership and copyright of the work.
Goa Open Arts will retain a 50% commission on any work sold through its festival or other public exhibition.
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CREDIT:
All future exhibitions, photographic print or electronic reproduction of the work produced should use the following credit line: Supported by the Goa Open Arts CATALYST GRANT 2025-26 or ENGAGE GRANT 2025-26, as applicable.
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Support the initiative >
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Goa Open Arts is an artist-led initiative founded in 2019 to support and invigorate creative practice in Goa. We do this through our annual festival, artist grants, and ongoing community programs focused on capacity-building and professional development. We believe that creative thinking and artistic expression are vital to a healthy and flourishing society.
Our work is made possible by individuals who value the role of art in building community. Goa Open Arts is a not-for-profit foundation, and all donations are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80G.
To make a contribution or to read more about ways to support >
To get in touch drop us a mail at goaopenarts@gmail.com