Call for applications: Africalia COVID-19 grants

The programme was initiated to support the production of artistic works during and in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

"The goal is to give a voice and a space for expression to artists from a variety of backgrounds, focusing on emerging artists' works, to make visible and audible cultural actors who are little highlighted and particularly vulnerable to this crisis," Africalia said.

"This grant intends to support artists in an emergency situation and allow them to focus on the creative process rather than on their daily survival. Africalia is supporting a constructive, positive, and forward-looking dynamic."

Who can apply?

The call is open to artists of all disciplines residing in one of Africalia's countries of intervention, namely Burkina Faso, Senegal, the DRC, Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Uganda.

Eligibility
Applicants should:

• Provide a CV or other evidence of experience in their field (three years minimum).
• Be residents in one of the countries where Africalia operates.
• Be of legal age.
• Have a computer or at least a smartphone with an internet connection to 'digitalise' the work created and communicate with Africalia.
• Have a bank account in their name for payments.

Topics to explore

• Here and now: Artist can offer their reflection on the COVID-19 period, a look at society, an escape, or a message of hope.
• Thinking the World of Tomorrow: To participate in building a more sustainable and fairer future, artists can offer their vision, questions, ideas, and creativity on what the post-crisis world would be like, and can we reinvent it?

How to apply

Depending on the discipline, the artist should formulate a proposal as per the suggested themes. The content must be conducive to dissemination via the internet. The content can take the following forms: script, recorded text, songs (audio/video), photographs, videos, etc.

The digital dimension is an integral part of the project.

The application deadline is 2 June 2020.

All projects should commence between July and August.

Grants

Africalia will award 50 artists with €1 500 ($1 600) each.

The amount shall be allocated in two instalments: €1 000 at the start of the project and €500 upon presentation of the deliverable and a report.

Selection criteria

The awarding of the grants will be based on:

• The creativity of the project (innovation, subject, artistic dimension).
• Realisation potential (digital version available).
• The motivation of the artist.
• Calendar.

The artist will be in contact with Africalia to follow the project and send communication elements around it.

Interested artists can download and complete the application form (attached below) before sending it to [email protected].

The subject of the email should read as: 'Creativity is Life' and include the name of the artist's country.