Open Call for Submissions of Archival Material: Documenting Culture in the Gulf in A Time of War Exhibition

As part of Documenting Culture in the Gulf in A Time of War, Kutubna Cultural Center invites submissions for any materials that reflect the culture and everyday life in the Gulf between February 28 and April 7, 2026, for an exhibition that opens on October 3, 2026.

We are seeking materials that reflect how this time has been lived, felt, observed, remembered, and documented; materials that show the ways war enters language, art, memory, routine, and imagination. 

Accepted Materials

We welcome submissions including:

  • Journal or diary entries
  • Poetry, short stories, or other literary writing
  • Letters, emails, notes, or conversations with consent of all parties involved
  • Photographs Art, including drawings, paintings, collage, embroidery, or 
  • other visual works
  • Videos or short films with consent of all people in the videos
  • Screenshots, text messages, social media posts, or digital traces. Handmade maps depicting changes in routes, activities, routines, and experiences including emotional maps, food routes.

Please ensure that any identifiable individuals appearing in submitted materials have consented to their inclusion whenever possible. 

Criteria and Eligibility

  • The call is open to people of all ages and nationalities who were present in the Gulf between February 28 and April 7, 2026, and wish to share materials documenting their experiences, memories, or reflections during this period. 
  • Submissions may be in any language and may come from anywhere in the Gulf. If a submission is in a language other than Arabic or English, please submit a translation into Arabic or English with the submission. 
  • There is no age limit for submissions.
  •  Submissions by individuals under the age of 18 must be submitted with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. 
  • Selected materials will become part of a public exhibition at Kutubna Cultural Center preserving collective memory of life in the Gulf during wartime.
  • We will consider submissions of all sizes and materials as long as they can be mounted on the wall. Wall size dimensions are here.
  • Submission and participation are free of charge
  • Participants may submit between one and five materials.

Important Dates

  • Submission Deadline: July 25, 2026
  • Exhibition Dates: October 3 – December 7, 2026
  • Announcement of Selected Archival Materials: December 15, 2026

Submissions will be reviewed by the curatorial team. Not all submissions will be selected for the exhibition. 

How to Participate: 

Option 1 (Recommended)
Fill out the application in the Google Form

Option 2
Send your submission to: info@kutubna.ae and follow the steps below:

 - Copy and paste the application details below into your email
- Provide complete responses to all questions. Fields marked with an asterisk (*)          are mandatory. (Incomplete applications will not be considered)

Application Details

Personal Information

  • Full Name*
  • Name in Arabic (optional)
  • Nationality*
  • Country of Residence*
  • Year of Birth*
  • Email Address*
  • Phone Number*
  • WhatsApp Number (optional)
  • Instagram Handle (optional)
  • Short Bio (maximum 5 sentences) *

Eligibility

Were you present in the Gulf between February 28 and April 7, 2026? *

☐ Yes
☐ No

Are you under 18? *

☐ Yes
☐ No

If under 18, parental consent has been obtained*

☐ Yes
☐ No

Submission Information

Type of Archival Material* (Select all that apply)

☐ Journal / Diary
☐ Poetry
☐ Short Story
☐ Letter / Email
☐ Notes / Conversation
☐ Photograph
☐ Drawing / Painting / Collage
☐ Embroidery / Textile
☐ Video / Film
☐ Screenshot / Digital Trace
☐ Social Media Post
☐ Handmade Map
☐ Other:

Themes* (Select all that apply)

☐ Movement and Travel
☐ Family and Communication
☐ Food and Daily Life
☐ Work and Education
☐ Media and Information
☐ Public Spaces
☐ Community Life
☐ Memory and Imagination
☐ Personal Reflection
☐ Other:

Archival Material Details for Each Submission (Up to 5 submissions)

  • Title*
  • Dimensions (cm)*
  • Medium (if applicable)
  • Statement (maximum 200 words) *
  • Please attach all files to your email and clearly label each file with the title of the submission and your name*

Consent* (Copy, paste and agree to the consent below)

I confirm that the submitted materials are mine to share and that anyone identifiable within them has agreed to be included. I retain ownership of my work. I understand that Kutubna Cultural Center may use the submitted materials for archival, research, and exhibition purposes. I understand that materials may be preserved indefinitely and may become publicly accessible through exhibitions, publications, websites, social media, or other platforms.