The 'Kolkata International Art Exhibition' (‘KIAE’ for short) founded in 2016, a project approved by ‘Joka Art Council’ and ‘Kolkata Artists Association’, to showcase modern and contemporary works from international visual artists along with artists from Kolkata and other Indian states, presented in the form of an exhibition titled '4th Kolkata International Art Exhibition 2026' or ‘4th KIAE2026’. This is the ‘Fourth’ edition of ‘Kolkata International Art Exhibition’ or simply ‘4th KIAE2026’.

As a platform for international cultural exchanges, the main objective of the ‘4th KIAE2026’ is to present works of art, both in terms of material application and aesthetic appeal. ‘4th KIAE2026’ focuses on the conception of promoting the global harmony by the contemporary artistic exhibition and respecting the variety of the international culture and dialogue between the oriental and occidental art form. The aim is to promote ideas of mutual understanding, tolerance, and cultural diversity that unite artists in a universal desire for peace. Today, cultural exchanges takes place through international art exhibition. Around one hundred and twenty outstanding works will be showcased in this exhibition from International as well as artists from Kolkata and other Indian states.

This year the ‘Fourth’ edition of 'Kolkata International Art Exhibition 2026' is scheduled to be held in the month of March, 2026 at the prestigious galleries of ‘Birla Academy of Art & Culture’, located in one of the posh neighborhoods Kolkata. It enables this culturally vibrant city to appreciate a variety of cultural events, which include art exhibitions, seminars, art workshops. Some of the works of ‘4th KIAE2026’ will also be exhibited at ‘Academy of Fine Arts’, one of the oldest and most renowned art gallery located in the heart of Kolkata nestled inside a cultural complex.

This event is open to all professional artist (trained & self-taught) from all over the world irrespective of education, religion, race and gender.‘4th KIAE2026’ will showcase modern and contemporary art comprising of Paintings, Drawings, Watercolour, Graphics, Photography & Digital Art. We warmly invite every artist to send their entries to participate in this grand event of '4th Kolkata International Art Exhibition 2026'.

2. Theme of ‘4th KIAE 2026’

Memory and Time: ‘Memory and Time’ are closely intertwined, influencing how we view ourselves, our identities, and the overall structure of our mental experiences. Rather than simply serving as a passive storehouse of incidents, memory actively shapes our personal experience of time, which in turn impacts how we form and remember memories. In both modern and contemporary visual art, themes of memory and time are central, going beyond traditional, static representations to become essential, interactive components of the artwork. Artists explore memory by drawing on individual or collective histories and use time not just as a setting but as a dynamic medium that can stretch, shrink, or pause. Our memories do not function like a video recording of past events. Instead, they are recreated every time we remember, explaining why our perception of time's progression can feel inconsistent. Additionally, art acts as a shared memory for society. Through numerous expressive mediums, such as paintings, music, literature, and other forms of artistic expression, creators have succeeded in encapsulating life in a manner that can often exceed fact-based historical accounts. Art serves as a language in its own right, allowing people from diverse cultures to relate and connect through sounds, visuals, and stories. Thus with the theme, ‘Memory and Time’ in the ‘4th KIAE2026’ we will try to present flavors of different cultures of various geographical locations under one roof.

3. General Information

3.1 Special Feature: The selected artists can send their works without frame in rolled condition if they so desire. The KIAE organisers will provide temporary framing for display of those works free of cost. This will particularly help the Graphic Artists to send their Prints as well as Watercolour works done on Paper. Framing will be provided on Works of the following sizes

Paper: Maximum 92×76 (Centimeters) & Canvas: Maximum 122×122 (Centimeters)

3.2 Sale of Exhibits: Sale of Exhibits: Artists can offer their exhibits for sale. Prices quoted by the Artist will be displayed in the price list. For better chance of sale, artists are requested to quote price of their exhibits reasonably. If any work is sold the organiser will retain 20% on sales amount and the remaining balance of 80% will be paid to the concerned artist via Bank Transfer or PayPal within two weeks after the exhibition is concluded. Applicable VAT will be deducted. ‘Certificate of Authenticity’ from Artists will be required in case of sale. Copyright of the exhibits will be retained by the Artists. Artists are requested to quote prices of their works in Euro ⟨€⟩ only.

3.3 Return of Works: The Organizing Committee will bear the cost of return shipment of artworks to the artist. The works will be dispatched rolled & only through EMS Registered Post, without any additional insurance during transit. The ‘Tracking No’ will be communicated to the artists. EMS speed post is generally secured and reliable. However, artists are welcome to take their works back on their own expense via international couriers (viz Dhl, Fedex) and with added insurance if they find it more secure. In that case artists have to have, a ‘To Pay Account’ (Cash on Delivery) with their designated courier. If the ‘To Pay Account’ No is shared, works will be dispatched through that courier company. Any change of address should be intimated to the organizers immediately.

3.4 Customs Declaration: In order to avoid any custom related hazards during transportation of works, artists are requested to provide appropriate declaration to the transportation company/courier. Please do not write any high valuation of your work in the declaration form of courier or shipping invoice/bill. Writing such high value, knowingly or unknowingly may impose heavy custom related duties/charges at the time of delivery of your works here. The organising committee of ‘4th KIAE2026’, will not be able to take delivery of works in those cases by paying such heavy custom duties. So it is advised to mention a very negligible amount if you are asked to write or simply write, the shipment contains prints which has ‘NO COMMERCIAL VALUE’, and it is being dispatched to India for ‘4th Kolkata International Art Exhibition 2026’ purely for exhibition purpose. The work will be transported back to the country of origin (Country name) at the earliest after the exhibition is concluded. The price of artwork quoted by the artists in the ‘SCHEDULE FORM for preliminary round will be printed in the catalogue and it has no connection to the valuation stated in the shipping invoice.

(A Draft of ‘Sample Declaration’ will be available on the website and the same will be send to the artists when they dispatch their selected work/s. Artists are advised to dispatch their works through EMS Speed Post with proper declaration if possible, instead of International Couriers. The custom clearance process is much smooth and easier than international couriers which needs unnecessary paper works and delay.

3.5 Inauguration: Press and Publicity of the exhibition will be of high priority. The inauguration of the ‘4th KIAE2026’ will be held in presence renowned artists, poets, art critics, art collectors and other intellectuals. Art talks and seminars on the subject relating to the theme of ‘4th KIAE2026’ will be organised.

3.6 Catalouge: Every participating artist will receive a printed 'Coloured Catalogue' featuring photographs of all the work images exhibited at ‘4th KIAE2026’ and a 'Certificate of Participation'. The Exhibition Catalog of ‘4th KIAE2026’ will be send via EMS Speed Post within two months after the conclusion of the exhibition.

3.7 Artist’s consent: By submitting actual / selected works, artists grant their consent to the organizer to reproduce their work images to be printed or posted for online publication, press & publicity purpose including local news channel, art journals or to post those in social media.

3.8 Care & Safety: The organizer of ‘4th KIAE2026’ will take every possible & utmost care for the safety of the exhibits during their custody, display and return of the same but would not be responsible for any loss or damage during display, storage or transit. And no claim to this effect will be entertained. Being the two most prominent cultural institutes ‘Birla Academy of Art & Culture’ and ‘Academy of Fine Arts’ both have extra level of security round the clock.

3.9 Timelines: The Organizing Committee of ‘4th KIAE2026’ reserves the right to change the timelines a bit if needed, mentioned in the Prospectus. Outcomes will be released and notifications will be issued accordingly to the development of the whole project. The Organizing Committee will inform all selected artists in a timely manner if there is any change and hope for cooperation from the participating artists.

4. Exhibition Period & Venue

4.1 Exhibition Dates: 10 March to 19 March, 2026. (tentative)
4.2 Venue: Academy of Fine Arts & Birla Academy of Art & Culture. Kolkata
4.3 Gallery Hours: 2.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m

5. Participation Guidelines

5.1 For preliminary selection, kindly E-mail the Application Materials to kiae2026.submission@gmail.com on or before 15, January, 2026. The email's Subject Line should be 'Application Material 4th KIAE2026 / Your Nationality'.

5.2 Categories: Paintings, Drawings, Watercolor, Graphics, Photography & Digital Art.

5.3 Maximum Admissible Size of Exhibits: Canvas, 122×122 cm or 48×48 inches & Paper, 92×76 cm or 36×30 inches. No minimum size restriction. The size of the work is inclusive of frame.

5.4 Maximum number of Works an Artist can exhibit: 2 (two). An artist can also exhibit different categories of work. i.e. 1(one) Paintings & 1(one) Graphic work.

5.5 Application Materials should include 'Images of Works' to be exhibited, duly filled & signed SCHEDULE FORM (Preliminary Round), BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION (Preliminary Round) & Artist’s Self Photo. 'Images of Works' should be (1500 / 2100 pixels @ 300 dpi) & 'Artist’s Self Photo' (236 / 295 pixels @ 300 dpi) in JPEG. These ‘Forms’ are available in the KIAE website, under ‘Application’ menu.

The proposed work/s, to be exhibited for ‘4th KIAE2026’ should be created after 01 January, 2023.

5.6 Digital Signature is accepted. Artists have the option to print the above forms and fill it by hand, and email the scan copy. The Organizing Committee will send ‘Notification Letter’ to the ‘Selected Artists’ within 5 (five) to 7 (seven) days after receiving preliminary application. Selected Artist’s will then need to confirm their participation by paying the requisite participation fee within the specified date mentioned in the selection ‘Notification Letter’. On successful payment of applicable participation fee ‘Selected Artists’ confirms their participation in ‘4th KIAE2026’, which will be acknowledged by the organizers.

The ‘Selected Work’ must match with the photograph of the work send at the ‘preliminary round’. If it differs considerably, it is likely to be rejected. Once the work is selected, artists should not change the work at his or her discretion. The change of works if any, for any reason should be approved by the Curatorial Committee of ‘4th KIAE2026’ which has the right to refuse or accept such requests. The Organising Committee of ‘4th KIAE2026’ will refuse to accept unselected works if they are send to the Organising Committee. The Organizing Committee is not liable to include those in the exhibition of ‘4th KIAE2026’ nor they have any responsibility of keeping them or returning those work back to the artist.

5.7 Submission of Actual Work: Selected artists on successful payment of applicable participation fee confirms their participation in ‘4th KIAE2026’. The selected artists will be notified in due time (end of October 2025) when to dispatch their actual works. Artists will need to courier their selected works, so that it can be delivered at KIAE office, within the time frame mentioned in the notification. Actual works will be received tentatively between 01 December, 2025 to 10, January 2026. Artists need to send by email the printed IDENTIFICATION SLIP, (Final Round) duly filled & Signed, while they dispatch their selected work. The IDENTIFICATION SLIP should not be send inside the parcel, it should be emailed.

6. Payment of Participation Fee

6.1 Payment of ‘Participation Fee’ will be accepted via PayPal. It is not necessary to have a PayPal account in order to make payments via PayPal.

6.2 Participation Fee: 100 Euro & 140 Euro⟨€⟩, for exhibiting 1(one) & 2(two) works respectively. The ‘Participation Fee’ is non-refundable.

The PayPal Payment link for ‘Money Request’ will be communicated in the ‘Selection Notification Letter’ to artists whose work is selected for final display at the ‘4th KIAE2026’. Artists can directly pay (applicable participation fee) to PayPal ID: info.kiae@gmail.com only if their work is selected.

If, PayPal Payment is not possible which is unlikely, alternative method of Payment towards ‘Participation Fee’ will be communicated. But will attract 8% (eight percent) extra. Artists are requested to send the ‘Payment Screenshot’ or ‘Payment Confirmation Receipt’ via email. Receipt of Payment will be acknowledged by the organizers of ‘4th KIAE2026’.

6.3 What is included in Participation Fee: '4th KIAE2026’. organizers will provide temporary Frame, if works received in 'Rolled' condition. Sending works rolled will minimise shipping charge and provide additional safety during transportation. Each Artist will receive a ‘Participation Certificate’ and a ‘Printed Coloured Catalog’ by ‘EMS Speed Post’ after the exhibition for their personal records. Return cost of transportation of Works to the Artist. by ‘International Speed Post’ (EMS). Press & Publicity of the exhibition in leading newspaper, electronic media, art magazines as well as publicity via Instagram and Facebook.

7. Organizing Committee

7.1 Hosts: ’Kolkata Artists Association’ & ‘Joka Art Council’

7.2 Organizing Committee: The Organizing Committee of the ‘Fourth Kolkata International Art Exhibition 2026’ or ‘4th KIAE2026’, consists of Chairman, President, Vice President and other members. Curatorial Committee: The Curatorial Committee of ‘4th KIAE2026’, consisting of renowned artists, art critics, writers and poets from Kolkata

7.3 Curatorial Committee: The Curatorial Committee of ‘Kolkata International Art Exhibition’ (4th KIAE2026), consisting of renowned artists, art critics and poets from India including Kolkata, and International art curators.

Chief Curators: Rajrappa Roy, Samarendrajit Chakroborty, Prajjwal Choudhury.

international Curators: Joanna Zuraw (Poland), Casp Mitso Chicho (Greece)

Exhibition Manager: Sumit Pradhan, Indrasish Basu

Office Assistant: Chumki Barman

8. Contact

Kolkata International Art Exhibition

B-99 Diamond Park, P.O. Joka, Kolkata -700104, India.

Email: contact.kolintlartexhibition@gmail.com

info@kolkataintlartexhibition.com

Application Material Submission: kiae2026.submission@gmail.com

WhatsApp: +91 858 39 25 362 (texts only)