Title:
Open Call for SSAF–AAA Research Grant for Archiving Histories of Art, Ideas, and Visual Culture 2025
Deadline:
Monday, 15 September 2025
Announcement Date:
The selected grantee will be informed by the end of October 2025.
Announcement Method:
not mentioned
Organization:
About SSAF
Sher-Gil Sundaram Arts Foundation (SSAF) was established in 2016 with the mandate to carry forward the legacy of scholar and photographer Umrao Singh Sher-Gil (1870–1954); his daughter and a pioneering figure of modern Indian art, Amrita Sher-Gil (1913–41); and her nephew and niece, artist Vivan Sundaram and filmmaker and television journalist Navina Sundaram.
SSAF seeks to enable conjunctions of artistic and cultural practice that deal with historical memory, and to build expectations for the future. It commits itself to advancing creative independence for art that is founded on freedom of expression, and which is secular.
ABOUT AAA IN INDIA
Art Archive in India (AAA in India) is a New Delhi–based independent arts organisation dedicated to re-imagining modern and contemporary art historical narratives in the region through the framework of the archive. AAA in India builds research-based, digital archival collections on artists, exhibitions, and independent art initiatives from South Asia. AAA in India also curates exhibitions and organises workshops and programmes at the intersection of artistic practice, archival processes, and art historical research. We host a small Reading Room, open to the public by appointment, which is re-purposed for programmes. AAA in India is an overseas hub of Asia Art Archive in Hong Kong.
Founded Year:
2016
Language:
English
Duration:
1 November 2025–31 October 2026
Application Guidelines:
A completed application form detailing:
Applicant details (name, contact information, etc.)
Project details (title and brief description of project)
Referee details (name and contact information of one referee)
Documents to upload in a single PDF file not exceeding 50MB:
a) A two-page CV and a selection of two of your most relevant publications, or a portfolio of recent projects. If applying as a collective, please submit a portfolio of the collective’s activities as well as CVs of at least two members.
b) A project proposal that includes:
(i) A description of the proposed research with context of its relevance, an elaboration of the research methodologies to be used, as well as the intended form of the final research outcome.
(ii) An indication of sources, collections, and interlocutors the research will involve.
(iii) No more than ten images of proposed research material.
c) A tentative timeline for the project’s realisation and a budget of estimated costs based on the project proposal and timeline.
Project proposals may be submitted in English or any Indian language.
Please submit the completed application form by Monday, 15 September 2025.
We encourage applicants to reach out to us at aaaigrant@aaa.org.hk and ssaf.grants@gmail.com prior to submitting the application to discuss any questions, clarifications, or concerns. Late submissions will not be considered.
Eligibility:
Individuals who are Indian nationals residing in India, or collectives whose members are all Indian nationals residing in India.
Rewards:
not mentioned
Outcome:
Report
For administrative purposes, grantees will be required to submit one midterm report (750–1,000 words) and one final report (1,500–3,000 words) outlining the research process, describing key findings, listing collections and interlocutors, and declaring expenses for how the grant amount has been utilised.
Interim Presentation
Following the submission of the midterm report, AAA and SSAF will organise a closed-door interim presentation by the grantee with members from both organisations attending, and any other subject experts suggested by SSAF and AAA.
Public Presentation
A public presentation of the research will be co-organised by AAA and SSAF at the conclusion of the grant period.
Selection Procedure:
Six candidates will be shortlisted for interviews on the basis of their applications, and they will be interviewed online in October 2025. One grantee will be selected from among those interviewed by a panel consisting of one external jury member, one member from SSAF, and one member from AAA in India. The selected grantee will be informed by the end of October 2025.
Social Media Links:
https://www.instagram.com/asiaartarchiveinindia/
Application Fees:
not mentioned
Participation Fees:
not mentioned
Residency Fees:
not mentioned
Accommodation Fee:
not metioned
Paid by Artist:
not mentioned
Paid by Host:
not mentioned
Financial Assistance:
not mentioned
Fellowships:
Grant Amount is up to INR 3,00,000.
Studio / Workspace:
not mentioned
Accommodation:
not mentioned
Other Facilities:
not mentioned
Location:
not mentioned
Airport:
not mentioned
Driving Instructions:
not mentioned
Contact Information:
aaaigrant@aaa.org.hk and ssaf.grants@gmail.com
Email:
aaaigrant@aaa.org.hk and ssaf.grants@gmail.com
Phone:
+852 2844 1112