The Association for the Study of the Arts of the Present (ASAP) invites proposals for a symposium to be held outside the U.S., in late-spring/early-summer 2027. We will support this symposium with matching funds up to $20,000. This is in addition to our larger, annual meeting traditionally held in the fall. Over the course of ASAP’s history, our organization has hosted more intimate symposia (e.g. 25-30 speakers) in addition to our annual conference. These symposia offer a powerful platform for fostering intercultural exchange and transformative dialogue across borders. They expand understanding of the contemporary arts, its global methodologies, and its role in shaping transnational conversations.
Our last international symposium, Old Land/New Grounds, was hosted by the School of English and the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Hong Kong in 2019. Returning to this practice, the ASAP Motherboard welcomes proposals from teams of scholars and/or artists who want to host a symposium outside the United States. ASAP funds can be used to cover conference-related expenses (e.g. honoraria, travel for keynote speakers). Matching contributions may include donation of space. The host team may also include a registration fee as part of their budget. This event should fall within the parameters of our organization’s commitment to “exploring the richness and diversity of the international contemporary arts as well as the critical methodologies used to elucidate them.” Topics are open but approaches that foreground site-specific scenes and histories will be prioritized. ASAP is eager to support programs that advance innovative research in the contemporary arts; address critical issues that deepen and broaden the stories, voices, and publics engaged in the field; and demonstrate strong and sustained engagement with international communities in the contemporary arts. This call is for a symposium. Teams outside the U.S. who are interested in developing proposals for the larger annual meeting are welcome to contact us at: .
Proposals should include:
• Description of your vision for the symposium, including the overall theme and rationale for the selected location (appx 500 words)
• Institutional co-sponsorship/s • Format of panels and presentations • Location (reasonable pathway to securing rooms)
• Provisional budget and timeline
• Keynote speakers Eligibility: at least one member of the proposing team should be a current ASAP member, and proposals should fall within the boundaries of ASAP’s mission.
For programs taking place May-June 2027:
Proposals due: January 31, 2026
Award notification: March 31, 2026
Grant amount: up to $20K in matching funds For inquiries and submissions, please contact: Maia Gil’Adí, .