Bahrain opens registration for 53rd annual fine arts exhibition

Registration is now open for artists wishing to take part in one of Bahrain’s longest-running and most prestigious fine arts showcases, with the deadline for submissions set for 15 November 2026.

The 53rd Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition, organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca), will be held under the patronage of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

A platform for contemporary art since 1972

Since its launch in 1972, the exhibition has grown into a prominent platform for diverse contemporary artistic practices, providing a space for artists to present their perspectives and creative experiences across a range of styles and movements.

This year’s edition is themed “In Circulation” and explores the many forms of circulation within human and visual discourse, examining how they connect to creativity and innovation across artistic practices.

The exhibition is being curated by Riwaq Art Space as part of its community partnership with Baca, with the aim of developing a fresh artistic vision aligned with the theme.

The collaboration is intended to encourage innovation in artists’ use of different media and support the continued growth of Bahrain’s local art scene.

Exploring circulation in art and culture

“The theme ‘In Circulation’ examines the movement of objects, images, ideas, aesthetics and cultural identities across geographical, digital and economic contexts, and how their form, meaning and significance change as they move between different environments,” Baca said in a statement.

“It also explores the processes of translation, reproduction, exchange and reinterpretation that accompany the movement of cultural and creative forms beyond their original contexts.

“Circulation can create new encounters, foster collaboration and encourage collective production. At the same time, it can flatten complexity, obscure origins and reduce cultural difference to a marketable identity.

“This show invites participating artists to explore the concept of circulation through their own perspectives and artistic practices, examining how artworks, ideas and cultural expressions are transformed as they move between different contexts and narratives.”

Previous edition awards and details

The previous edition, held in February 2026, brought together 75 visual artists presenting diverse artistic experiences and varied visual approaches, reflecting a wide range of perspectives and styles across different forms of visual expression. The exhibition was officially opened at the Bahrain National Museum.

At that edition, Abduljabbar Al Ghadhban received the Al Dana Prize for his work “Suffering”. Khalid Al Abbas was awarded the Nexus Programme Prize presented by Al Riwaq Art Space, while Hussain Ali received the Art Station Prize presented by RAK Art Foundation.

Submission requirements and deadlines

Baca has invited interested artists to review the submission requirements and procedures and submit their complete applications by 15 November 2026 through its official website culture.gov.bh.

Applications are open to citizens and residents of the kingdom aged 18 and above. Artworks must be original and have been produced within the past year.

The maximum artwork size is 2m by 3m. Works exceeding these dimensions will not be accepted. Sculptures must not exceed 100kg or 2.5m in height.

Each artist may submit up to four works, and each submission must include a 300- to 500-word statement explaining the concept, medium and significance.

Artworks will be evaluated by the selection committee based on visual impact, conceptual coherence, composition and design, innovation and creativity, and alignment with the exhibition’s artistic vision.

For further information, contact [email protected].