Call for applications: Digital Evolution Artist Retention Fellowship programme

DEAR, which will be held online, is designed to give participating artists and arts practitioners of African descent the opportunity to connect, reflect, and strategise in a community of peers committed to growth and adaptation. All fellows will become part of a network of DEAR peers and gain access to community gatherings and shared resources. Central to the fellowship is the DEAR Virtual Retreat, which aims to tackle the challenges of the moment through a curated, online experience that offers opportunities for skills-based and reflective learning in an effort to cultivate greater personal and professional resilience for participants.

The DEAR Virtual Retreat is organised as a community of peer learning, mentorship, and support which will explore a range of tools and practices that cut across disciplines and levels of experience, to further strengthen artists’ ability to create, teach, and promote their work in the present context and beyond. This digital convening space will include facilitated learning and visioning circles, skills-based workshops, individual and small group reflection and practice space, self-paced professional development activities, and one-to-one peer support and networking opportunities.

Master workshops will include:

• Artist/project narrative development.
• Social media and digital strategy.
• Grant writing.
• Intellectual Property rights.
• Virtual presenting.

Participants are expected to commit to and complete all virtual sessions and be present on video throughout the entire retreat. The dates for the virtual intensive sessions are as follows: 4, 11 and 18 December from 3pm to 9pm WAT. Interested applicants should apply here before 29 October.

If selected, participants are expected to commit to and complete all virtual sessions, as well as be present on video throughout the entire retreat. The fellowship is in response to the challenges faced by artists during COVID-19 and DEAR 2021 cohort participants will receive a stipend of $750 in support of their artistic practice, resilience, and sustainability during the current crisis. In addition, artists will be able to explore other opportunities available through CCCADI and its associated networks.

“Understanding that the trying and transformative nature of the moment calls for renewed creativity, purpose, and vision, this retreat is designed for practice, planning, and networking which we hope will strengthen our community of artists and nurture new prospects for collaboration and individual artistic growth,” reads a statement.

View the original call here.