Open Call: Corniche 8 Comic Anthology

Sharjah Art Foundation has opened applications for Corniche 8, the latest edition of its annual comic anthology. The open call invites illustrators and comic artists based in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to submit a proposal for an original six-page comic for potential publication in the anthology. Selected artists will participate in a creative exchange in Sharjah and have their completed works published as part of the final volume.

Corniche is a community-centred publishing initiative developed by Sharjah Art Foundation to support comic artists and illustrators working across the GCC. The project originated from a collaborative comic-making workshop held in Sharjah in 2019 and has since evolved into an annual anthology that provides a platform for artists to experiment, connect, and publish their work. The publication embraces a wide range of genres and storytelling approaches, including autobiography, science fiction, fantasy, mythology, history, and contemporary narratives.

The open call is available to illustrators and comic artists based in GCC countries. Applicants must submit a proposal for a six-page comic. The Foundation encourages diverse artistic voices and welcomes submissions across a broad range of themes, genres, and visual approaches. Projects should demonstrate originality, strong storytelling, and a clear artistic vision, and both emerging and established practitioners are encouraged to apply.

Submitted proposals will be reviewed by Sharjah Art Foundation. Selected artists will be invited to participate in a three-day creative exchange programme in Sharjah, where they will further develop their projects alongside fellow contributors. The completed comics will then be compiled and published in the eighth edition of Corniche, which will launch at Focal Point, the Foundation's annual art book fair. The anthology connects participants with a growing network of artists, publishers, and readers interested in contemporary comics and illustration. The deadline for application is June 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm UAE local time.