ArkolektifOpen call: artists
Your work, documented for generations.
Arkolektif is building a structured, non-commercial digital archive for Mauritian visual art. We invite artists to submit documentation ahead of our public launch.
Why Arkolektif
Mauritian art deserves a permanent, public record.
Works disappear. Exhibitions close. Collections scatter. Personal archives are fragile. Much of Mauritian visual art history exists only in private memory, undocumented and undiscoverable.
Arkolektif exists to change that. Every record we build (artist biography, artwork metadata, image documentation, collection notes, rights information) creates a durable public reference that persists beyond any single exhibition or institution.
The archive is non-commercial by design. Your work is documented for researchers, educators, students and future generations. Not for sale.
What inclusion means
Permanent record
Your work is documented with structured metadata designed to remain discoverable over time, independent of any single platform or institution.
Artist biography
Each archive entry includes a concise biography and practice statement, giving researchers and the public context for your work.
Rights protected
Copyright remains with you and every record includes your copyright notice. However, once images are published online they can be viewed, downloaded or reused by third parties. Arkolektif cannot technically prevent this.
Multilingual
The archive is available in English, French and Kreol Morisien, reflecting the cultural reality of Mauritius and its diaspora.
How it works
01
Read the documentation standards
Arkolektif uses consistent standards for image quality, metadata and rights information. Clear lighting, accurate colour, neutral background where possible, high resolution.
02
Prepare your artwork information
Gather the details for each work: title, year, medium, dimensions, collection or source, photography credit and copyright notice. A short artist biography is also required.
03
Submit through the form
Complete the submission form with your artist details and artwork metadata. You can submit one or multiple works. Each submission is reviewed individually.
04
Review and inclusion
The Arkolektif team reviews each submission for documentation quality, metadata consistency and scope. Submission does not guarantee inclusion. You will be notified of the outcome.
Editorial review
Submission does not guarantee inclusion.
Arkolektif reserves the right to decline any submission. Submitting documentation is an application to the archive, not a guarantee of publication. Every record that appears in the archive has passed a review for documentation quality, metadata completeness and scope relevance.
This policy exists to protect the integrity of the archive. A structured public record is only useful if it is consistent, accurate and well-documented. Accepting every submission regardless of quality would undermine the archive's value for researchers, educators and future generations, and ultimately for the artists already represented in it.
Documentation quality
Images must meet the archive's standards. Poorly lit, low resolution or heavily edited photographs do not serve as reliable archival documentation.
Metadata completeness
Records without complete metadata (title, year, medium, dimensions, collection, rights) cannot be published. Incomplete submissions will be returned for revision.
Scope and relevance
Arkolektif documents Mauritian visual art. Works or artists without a clear Mauritian connection fall outside the archive's scope and will not be included.
Image standards
Documentation quality matters.
The archive is only as useful as its documentation. We ask for images that meet a consistent standard so that records serve researchers and remain useful over time.
- Clear, even lighting: no harsh shadows, no glare
- Accurate colour: no filters, no heavy editing
- Neutral background where possible
- No visible framing distractions or distortion
- High resolution, suitable for long-term archival documentation
- Complete metadata for every artwork submitted
A note on resolution: You are not required to submit the highest resolution version of your work. A file suitable for clear screen viewing (long edge ~2000px) serves the archive's documentation purpose. If you are concerned about unauthorised reproduction, submit at documentation resolution rather than print quality.
Common questions
Who can submit to Arkolektif?
Arkolektif is open to Mauritian artists, both those based in Mauritius and those in the diaspora with a documented connection to Mauritius. All fine art disciplines are considered: painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media.
Is there a cost to be included?
No. Arkolektif is a non-profit archive. There is no fee to submit or to be included. The archive exists for cultural documentation and preservation, not commercial purposes.
Will my work be sold through the archive?
No. Arkolektif is not a gallery, marketplace or commercial platform. Records are presented for research, documentation and cultural continuity only. No prices or sales information are published.
How many works can I submit?
You may submit multiple works in a single submission. Each artwork requires its own complete metadata record. Submissions are reviewed before inclusion and quality is prioritised over quantity.
Who owns the images and rights?
Copyright remains with the artist. Arkolektif documents works for archival purposes only. You retain full rights to your work. Each record includes your copyright notice.
Can Arkolektif prevent my images from being downloaded or reused?
No. Once an image is publicly visible online, it can be downloaded, screenshotted or reused by anyone regardless of copyright. Arkolektif includes a copyright notice on every record and does not facilitate or condone unauthorised use, but we cannot technically enforce your rights against third parties. If protecting your images from copying is a priority, consider submitting at a resolution suitable for screen documentation rather than print reproduction.
How long does the review take?
Review times vary depending on submission volume. The Arkolektif team will contact you if additional information is needed. You will be notified when your record is published.
Is my submission guaranteed to be published?
No. Submission is an application to the archive, not a guarantee of inclusion. Arkolektif reserves the right to decline submissions that do not meet documentation standards, have incomplete metadata, or fall outside the archive's scope. You will always be notified of the outcome and given the opportunity to revise and resubmit if the issue can be corrected.
Ready to submit
Add your work to the archive.
Submissions are reviewed before inclusion. Prepare your artwork images and metadata, then complete the form. Contact us first if you have questions.