16th Dakar Biennale — International Exhibition Open Call

The General Secretariat of the Biennale of Contemporary African Art is inviting African visual artists and artists from the African diaspora worldwide to apply for the official international exhibition of its 16th edition, running from 19 November to 19 December 2026 in Dakar, Senegal.

Theme: (Anti)fragility — Arts of Repair and Counter-Shock Strategies

Curated by Morad Montazami, this edition explores how artists can transform fragility into strength — drawing on communal bonds, local knowledge, and co-creative processes. The theme is structured around three main chapters:

1. The Powers of the Fragile — Engaging with the everyday, organic forms, and the beauty of cracks and imperfection.

2. The Arts of Care and Repair — Healing communities and individual bodies; rehabilitating invisible signs and languages.

3. Counter-Shock Strategies — Responding to crisis through recycling, collective solidarity, and alternative systems of living.

Who can apply?

African visual artists and/or artists from the African diaspora (including island and archipelagic contexts) working in any of the following disciplines: Architecture, Digital Arts, Design, Installation, Mixed Media, Painting, Performance, Photography, Sculpture, Sound, Street Art/Graffiti, or Video Art & Animation.

What to submit:

Your application must include all 10 of the following — a missing item will result in automatic rejection:

1. Completed application form

2. Statement of intent for proposed works or project

3. Detailed CV

4. Biography of 20–25 lines in both French and English

5. Two recent high-resolution passport photos (white background)

6. Scanned passport valid until at least 30 June 2027

7. Five HD reproductions of works (300 dpi / 30×50 cm, dated January 2025 or later) with photographer's name and year

8. Detailed technical data sheet for each proposed artwork

9. Portfolio and/or critical texts, art magazine articles, or expert testimonials

10. Artist's letter of commitment (covering packing, air freight, and preparation timelines)

All proposed works must be new, unpublished, and owned by the artist. No previously sold works may be submitted.

How to apply:

Submit your complete application by email to opencall2026@biennaledakar.org and by postal mail to: General Secretariat of the Dakar Biennale, 19 Avenue Hassan II, 1st Floor — BP 3865, Dakar, Senegal. Deadline: 15 June 2026.

Submitted documents will not be returned and become part of the Biennale's documentary archive.