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[OPEN CALL] Undescribed #12 (2027)

Event Dates

October 2026

Submission

Submit online via this form

Deadline: 20 October 2026, 11:59PM SGT

 

Further Enquiries

For general enquiries, please contact adrianna@deck.sg

Entering its 12th edition in 2027, UNDESCRIBED is designed for Singaporean and Permanent Resident young artists graduating from art schools in 2026. The programme supports emerging practitioners at an important transition from art school into professional artistic practice by providing mentorship, critical dialogue, production support and an opportunity to present new work publicly.

Rather than focusing solely on the final exhibition, UNDESCRIBED places emphasis on the process of developing a body of work. Over several months, selected artists will participate in consultations, critiques, studio visits and conversations with practising artists and arts professionals. These sessions provide practical and critical guidance on developing an artistic practice, articulating ideas, producing new work and considering how it can be presented to an audience.

Guest artists, curators, gallerists and other practitioners will also be invited for closed-door conversations and feedback sessions, creating opportunities for participants to encounter different perspectives within the arts community.

DECK Photography Art Centre invites applications for UNDESCRIBED #12, our emerging artist programme dedicated to supporting new practices in photography and moving image.

UNDESCRIBED is not simply an exhibition opportunity. It is a space for emerging artists to test ideas, receive critical feedback, understand the practical realities of presenting work publicly, and build relationships with fellow practitioners and the wider arts community.

We welcome proposals from fresh graduated artists of 2026 who are ready to take their practice beyond art school, develop new work through sustained dialogue, and become part of the growing UNDESCRIBED community.

Apply today! 

Mentors

For the 12th edition, we welcome back Robert Zhao Renhui, who has been a significant contributor to this programme since 2016.

Robert’s artistic practice operates at the intersection of art, science and environmental history. Representing Singapore at the 60th Venice Biennale in 2024, his work examines how humans perceive, classify and interact with the natural world, particularly within highly urbanised environments. His long-standing involvement with UNDESCRIBED brings an important continuity to the programme and its engagement with emerging artists.

Joining him is artist Alecia Neo, whose socially engaged practice explores community collaboration, care and radical hospitality. Rather than focusing solely on the production of objects, her practice foregrounds relationships, dialogue, participation and lived experience. Her approach offers participants another way of thinking about how artistic practices can develop through encounters with people, communities and different forms of knowledge.

Together, the mentors will accompany participants through the development of their projects, providing critical feedback and practical guidance as the works evolve towards public presentation.

Group Exhibition

The programme culminates in a three-month group exhibition at the Guoco Midtown Public Art Wall, beginning in March 2027.

Selected participants are expected to develop or substantially advance a body of work during the programme. As the mentorship process is central to UNDESCRIBED, applicants should be prepared to participate actively in discussions, critiques, studio visits and production meetings throughout the programme.

Who Can Apply

The Open Call is open to:

• Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents;
• Graduates of the 2026 cohort from an art school or arts programme;
• Emerging practitioners working with photography, moving image, or expanded photographic practices; and
• Applicants who are able to commit to the programme’s meetings, consultations, production period, installation and exhibition.

What Selected Artists Receive

Each selected participant will receive:

  • S$800 production support towards the development and presentation of the work;
  • S$300 artist allowance;
  • Dedicated consultation time with the programme mentors;
  • Access to DECK’s public resources during the programme;
  • Curatorial, production, communications and programming support from the DECK team; and
  • Access to ASG , an extended network connecting participants with past and future UNDESCRIBED alumni, alongside specially organised conversations and sessions with invited artists and arts professionals.

Key Dates

  • Open Call Deadline
    20 October 2026, Friday, 11:59PM
  • Meeting #1 — Onboarding
    27 October 2026, Tuesday (evening)
  • Meeting #2 — Project Development
    20 November, Friday evening
  • Meeting #3 — Studio Visit & Feedback
    12 December 2026, Saturday
  • Meeting #4 — Industry Conversation & Feedback
    20 January 2027
  • Meeting #5 — Critique & Production
    18 February 2027
  • Exhibition Opening
    25 March 2027

 

*Every effort will be made to keep to the programme schedule and key meeting dates listed above. Should unforeseen circumstances require any changes, selected participants will be informed at least two weeks in advance whenever possible.