TEHRAN -- Iran’s 19th Fajr 
Visual Arts Festival has announced its call for entries, inviting artists to submit works for the Golden Tooba competition and several complementary programs celebrating contemporary Iranian visual art.
Organized by the Visual Arts Office of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the festival will take place in February 2027 in Tehran and across the country. The submission deadline is December 12, according to the announcement published by the festival secretariat. 
This edition adopts the theme “Innovative, Creative and Hope-Inspiring Art”, with the stated aims of supporting artistic creativity, identifying emerging capacities within Iran’s contemporary visual arts scene and expanding opportunities for artists to present their work to wider audiences.
The festival’s main competitive section, the Golden Tooba, is organized around two themes: “Color” and “Iran Today”.
The Color category invites artists to explore the expressive and aesthetic possibilities of color, encouraging works that communicate concepts, sensory experiences and distinctive visual interpretations through creative use of color.
The Iran Today category focuses on recent social and historical developments in the country. According to the announcement, eligible subjects include conflict, military and defensive operations, civilian experiences, the children of Minab, commemorations of those killed aboard the Dena naval 
vessel, public solidarity, emergency and medical services, urban workers, and funeral and mourning ceremonies.
Eligible disciplines include drawing and painting, graphic design, illustration, photography, calligraphy, cartoon and caricature, sculpture, ceramics, artistic glass and new media, including installation, performance art and video art.
In the Color category, winners in each discipline will receive the Golden Tooba trophy, a certificate of honor and two billion rials. Up to two works in each discipline may also receive commendations accompanied by 700 million rials.
For Iran Today, three works selected across the category will each receive the Golden Tooba trophy, a certificate of honor and two billion rials. Commended works in individual disciplines will receive certificates and 700 million rials.
The festival will also present “Art and Its Time”, a special section dedicated to the latest achievements of prominent figures in contemporary Iranian visual art. Artist selection and presentation will follow the festival’s approved procedures.
A further program, “My Homeland”, will focus on the theme of water through works by artists from Iran’s provinces. Participation requirements, submission schedules and prizes will be communicated through provincial culture and Islamic guidance offices.
The festival’s organizers say the program aims to balance recognition of established artists with opportunities for new voices. More than a competitive platform, the event is intended to expand the visibility of Iranian visual art and encourage engagement with its diverse creative practices.
The 19th Fajr Visual Arts Festival will be directed by Seyyed Abbas Mirhashemi. Full submission guidelines are available through the official festival website: www.fajrtajasomi.ir.