ArtsEverywhere, in partnership with coculture, launched an open call inviting writers and artists from the Middle East to submit proposals for long-form investigative journalism or multimedia projects focused on the Levant Region (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine). The call sought underreported stories related to peace and conflict resolution, human migration, ethno-religious tensions, solidarity movements, cultural production, and the global pandemic. Collaboration between journalists and visual artists was encouraged, though other forms of “artistic journalism” were also considered based on the strength of the proposal. Selected applicants progressed to a second phase, where they submitted budget proposals reflecting the scale and scope of their projects. Contributors worked closely with the ArtsEverywhere team to bring their visions to life, receiving compensation above market rates, with final terms discussed in follow-up interviews with the editorial board.

Applicants were required to submit a 250-word pitch in English or Arabic, accompanied by relevant work samples demonstrating strong narrative storytelling. Proposals outlined intended collaborators, travel plans, and production materials. Final works ranged between 5,000–10,000 words and were published in both English and Arabic. The submission deadline was December 30, 2020, followed by a second round of interviews in early 2021. Final commissions were announced on January 18, with reporting and production taking place between January and March.