Jidar 2026: Rabat opens its walls to a new generation of street artists

Something is happening in Rabat—but not inside galleries. On the walls of the city.

The Jidar Street Art Festival 2026 has officially launched its call for applications for the “Collective Wall,” a central project designed to transform urban space through emerging talent.

This is not just another art initiative. The 11th edition of the festival will take place from April 16 to April 27, 2026, and within that timeframe, a select group of artists will take part in a very specific project.

Only 12 participants will be selected, and they will work from April 20 to April 26 to create a large-scale mural in the heart of Rabat.

This is where it becomes interesting.

The “Collective Wall” is designed as a creative laboratory. It targets art students, emerging artists, and urban culture enthusiasts, offering them a real environment to experiment, collaborate, and produce a monumental piece.

Participants are not working alone. They are guided by a mentor—this year, the artist Bakr—combining academic training and street art influence, bringing both structure and creative freedom to the project.

But beyond the artistic aspect, this project has a deeper role.

It acts as an incubator for talent.

Selected artists don’t just paint—they enter the ecosystem of Jidar, one of the most recognized street art festivals in Morocco. For some, this experience becomes a gateway to future participation in the official festival program.

There is also a clear timeline.

Applications must be submitted online, including a portfolio, before April 5, 2026 at midnight.
And selected candidates must be fully available in Rabat for the entire duration of the project.

What makes this initiative stand out is its impact on the city itself.

Jidar is not just showcasing art—it is actively reshaping Rabat’s urban identity. Each edition adds new murals, new visual narratives, and new interactions between artists and public space.

And the “Collective Wall” pushes this even further.

Instead of only inviting established international artists, the festival is now building its own local scene, directly from the streets.

In the end, this is more than a call for applications.

It’s an opportunity to take part in a real transformation—where the city becomes a canvas, and emerging artists become part of its identity.

And the real question now is simple.

Who will be selected… to leave their mark on Rabat?