Opportunities

Open Call: Gender-Based Creative Grants for WOW Pakistan

Deadline to Apply: June 15, 2026

Project Duration: July 2026 – December 2026, with potential for showcase at WOW Pakistan 2027 in January.

Location: Pakistan

The WOW Curators in collaboration with British Council in Pakistan invite artists, storytellers, and other cultural practitioners to apply for the second round of our Gender-Based Creative Grants. These grants aim to spark feminist storytelling, amplify marginalized voices, and reimagine gender justice through art in all its forms.

Select grantees may also have the opportunity to create, showcase, and amplify original artistic and feminist work at WOW Pakistan 2027 in Karachi. We encourage applicants to explore collaborations, audiences, or themes that may engage with the UK. Projects that demonstrate a meaningful UK connection, such as partnerships with UK-based artists or institutions, are also encouraged

Who Can Apply?

We welcome:

Emerging and established creatives
Artists from underrepresented genders and/or communities
Collaboratives or collectives working on feminist theme
Projects based anywhere in Pakistan

Grant Categories

Applicants may submit proposals in one of the following categories:

1. Performing Arts

Theater, dance, spoken word, music, or performance that addresses themes of gender, power, and resistance.

2. Contemporary and Indigenous Visual Arts

Includes painting, film, photography, sculpture, textile, installation, or digital visual forms exploring feminist narratives.

3. Multimedia and Interdisciplinary Work

Hybrid, experimental or collaborative work spanning digital media, performance, sound, or tech.

4. Written Word and Activism

Poetry, feminist journalism, storytelling, zines, or activist creative publications centering on gender justice.

Terms of Reference

Objectives

To support and amplify gender-focused, intersectional creative work in Pakistan.
To diversify the cultural landscape with new, bold feminist narratives.
To generate engagement and anticipation for the WOW Festival through high-impact, artistic storytelling.

Grant Scope

Each selected project will receive funding support to:

· Develop and produce original work aligned with feminist themes

Engage communities through performance, exhibition, or digital presence
Select projects will be showcased at WOW Festival Pakistan 2027 in Karachi and/or its digital platforms

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be 18 years or older
Be based in Pakistan
Can be an individual, collective or organisation
Propose an original work aligned with the grant categories
Be available to implement the project between July 2026 and December 2026, with potential to showcase at WOW Pakistan in January 2027

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed on:

Relevance to Feminist Themes: Depth of gender analysis and intersectionality
Artistic Merit: Innovation, originality, and aesthetic quality
Impact and Engagement: Ability to spark public dialogue or reach new audiences
Feasibility: Realistic execution and communications plans, coherent monitoring and evaluation and impact stories
Representation: Special consideration for marginalized voices, disabled, and community-rooted creatives

Deliverables

Each grantee will be required to:

Submit finalized work by early December 2026
If selected, present the work at the WOW Festival in January 2027
Document the creative process (behind-the-scenes, interviews, or reflections) and submit a cohesive report

Timeline

Deadline to Apply: June 15, 2026
Review and Selection: Mid July 2026
Grant Period: July 2026 – December 2026, with potential showcase at WOW Pakistan in January 2027

How to Apply

Applicants will be required to submit:

Detailed Project Proposal with rationale for the project
Portfolio or samples of previous work
A comprehensive Comms plan along with how you plan to measure, monitor and evaluate the impact of your work
Detailed Budget and Timeline
Short bio/CV of lead applicant(s)

Apply at: info@ecdipakistan.org by 11:59 pm on June 15, 2026

Questions?

Opportunities

Open Call: Gender-Based Creative Grants for WOW Pakistan

Download Application Template

Download Budget Template