Goa Open Arts festival 2026
The Goa Open Arts festival is a multidisciplinary public event which will be held at the heritage site of the Old GMC Complex in the heart of Panjim. This is the third edition of the festival and we are excited to invite creative practitioners based in Goa to apply for participation in the event.
Artists working in any medium including but not limited to the following are invited to apply:
VISUAL ARTS
Painting, sculpture, photography, video arts, performance art, installation art, research based art projects
CINEMA
Films including shorts, documentaries and features
PERFORMANCE
Theatre, dance, poetry, spoken word, stand up
MUSIC
Singer/songwriters, soloists, bands working in any genre
WORKSHOPS & AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENTS
Workshops, walk throughs, lec-dems for children and/or adults
Please read the terms below before applying.
FLEA & FOOD
There will be a limited selection of food and beverage stalls as well as a curated flea market showcasing unusual design and craft. If you would like to know more about have a stall at the festival, please contact us at goaopenarts@gmail.com
If you have any other way in which you want to collaborate with Goa Open Arts please write in to us at goaopenarts@gmail.com
Application Deadline: 15 Aug 2025
Program Dates: 20 - 25 Feb 2026
Venue: Old GMC, Panjim, Goa
TERMS FOR ARTISTS' APPLICATION
ELIGIBILITY
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Only Goa based artists may apply to display their artworks or projects.
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Artists of all backgrounds, disciplines, and experience levels are welcome to submit their projects. Applicants under 18 years of age must have one 18+ team member.
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Collectives and collaborative projects may apply under the name of the lead applicant. At least one member of the collective must be based in Goa.
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We are open to a wide range of artistic forms, including but not limited to visual arts, performance art, installation art, music, dance, multimedia, poetry and culinary arts.
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Projects should be original, innovative, and relevant to the festival's spirit.
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Artists are invited to propose completed and ready-to-display projects. Goa Open Arts will allocate space and other necessities based on the project's needs.
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If selected, artists are expected to be responsible for the transportation, production, and supervising installation and deinstallation of their work. Technical support for carpentry and electricals will be provided by the festival.
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Sales are permitted from the Goa Open Arts festival and will be managed by the organizers. Goa Open Arts will retain a 50% commission of works sold, towards the support of future programs.
SELECTION
The selection of the artists and artistic works is at the discretion of the jury and their selection is final and binding.
TIMELINE
1 JUL: Open Call for Applications
15 AUG: Application Deadline
15 OCT: Artists informed of selection
25 JAN - 7 FEB: Announcement of selected artists
13 - 19 FEB: Installation & Production
20 - 25 FEB: Goa Open Arts Festival
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please complete the Online Application Form below.
You will need to upload the following documents as part of your online application. All sections are mandatory for your application to be considered eligible.
1) PROJECT / ARTWORK PROPOSAL (1-5 pages, and should include dimensions and all details of the artwork or project you wish to display)
2) ARTIST STATEMENT / BIO (A short description about your artistic practice, your inspiration and mediums, and your practice over the years. Please also provide context of the work that you are proposing)