Cista Arts

CISTA ARTS, based in the United Kingdom, was founded in 2018. ČISTĀ is the Avestan derivative of the verb Cit, ‘to notice, to understand’, and denotes ‘intuition’ and ‘idea’. Avestan is the ancient Persian language used in the Zoroastrian scripture. CISTA ARTS is conduit to promote the work of artists who address contemporary societal issues and global concerns through their art. CISTA ARTS represents artists whose work transcends geographic borders, and those from the Middle East, and beyond.

CISTA ARTS is an interdisciplinary and transcultural organisation, working with artists, architects, choreographers, art historians, anthropologists, art critics, and other art-related practitioners. CISTA ARTS actively supports art students, including the showcasing of their works.

 

Why exhibit with Cista Arts?

Participation Fee Benefits: Selected artists will have their work exhibited online for the full month on our homepage, included in a professionally produced printed and digital exhibition catalogue, featured in daily social media promotion under our ‘Meet the Artist’ series, and receive a certificate of participation. CISTA ARTS takes no commission on sales.

Digital Exposure and Reach:

    • We currently have over 12K followers on Instagram, in addition to a Facebook audience and a mailing list of over 2K subscribers.

    • Our online exhibitions attract between 1,200–1,800 unique visitors, and our website receives more than 4,000 visits per month.

    • Each participating artist will be permanently featured on our Past Exhibitions page, with direct links to their own website or social media for continued exposure.

Exhibition Access: The exhibition is fully accessible to the public via our official website, with no login or fee required.

Exhibition History: Since our founding in 2018, CISTA ARTS has organised over 50 solo and group exhibitions, both online and in hybrid formats. Our platform is designed to support emerging and mid-career artists across borders, particularly those facing visa and mobility restrictions.

Artist Feedback: We have received consistently positive reviews from artists who have worked with us, with many praising our professionalism, communication, and the quality of our exhibitions. These testimonials can be viewed on our Google Reviews page.

About Us: Based in London, CISTA ARTS is an independent, artist-led curatorial platform dedicated to inclusive programming, cross-cultural dialogue, and the support of underrepresented voices in contemporary visual art.

Cista Arts

Upcoming events

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    History of Modern and Contemporary Art of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

      Online  |    Talk  |    22/06/2025 to 27/07/2025

    Exploring the Art of MENA Led by a renowned art historian, critic, and Senior Teaching Fellow at SOAS, University of London, this online course examines modern and contemporary art from the Middle East and North Africa. Covering key movements since the 1930s, it explores global influences, curatorial trends, and the role of diaspora across diverse media, from painting to performance.

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Current opportunities

  • In Light of All This: Soft Power, Strong Voices

    Deadline: 19/07/2025

    Region: London  |  Country: United Kingdom  |  Cista Arts

    SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN! We are in search of visual artists to submit their art to be showcased in an online exhibition. Artists of all mediums and from all countries are welcome to apply, including painters, sculptors, photographers, designers, and video artists.

    Read more Apply