Anant Foundation for the Arts in partnership with JK Paper Ltd. invites applications for its third edition of JK Paper Award for the Arts: Propositions in Paper (2026).

About the Award

The award has been created with the intention of appreciating paper as an enduring technology and medium of expression within the arts. Through this programme, we hope to support and promote a wide range of practices that are interested in process-oriented, independent, and unpredictable explorations that push the limits of paper as a material.

The legacy of JK Paper Ltd. goes back to 1938 with the setting up of Straw Products Ltd. From being the pioneer of branded paper in India, the company today is a leading sustainable paper product solutions provider. We thank JK Paper Ltd. for their generous support.

Grant Details:

• The winner will receive a monetary award of INR 1,50,000 as well as a residency in partnership with Jaipur Centre for Art.
• Three shortlisted finalists will receive a residency in collaboration with Arthshila Studios at Parivartan, Siwan.
• Both residencies include an exhibitionary component.

Application Requirements:

• Updated CV
• Self-attested digital scan of passport/Aadhar/PAN
• One colour photograph of the applicant
• Portfolio of not more than 12 images of paper works with accompanying concept note, artist statement, with a 25 MB limit

Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to any practitioner of Indian nationality under the age of 40 — primarily for emerging and mid-career artists in India
• Works on paper including drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, mixed media as well as interdisciplinary artistic explorations.
• Currently this award is not accepting prints.

Submission deadline: August 31, 2025

For any queries and to submit your application, please write to [email protected]