Call for applications: COVID-19 fund for arts projects in Rwanda

The grant is worth 300 million Rwandan francs (about $315 000) and 30 projects from stakeholders in the cultural and creative industry (CCI) are set to benefit from it.

The initiative seeks to identify and support talented young Rwandans in the creative arts industry. The grant forms part of the government's CCI recovery plan, which was announced on 24 July.

During a televised speech, Minister of Youth and Culture Rosemary Mbabazi said the plan was designed to support creatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ArtRwanda – Ubuhanzi grant will be managed by local business accelerator Business Partners Network (BPN) for six months, after which the projects are expected to have made progress.

Grants can be used to:

• Fund an artist or an art enterprise with a lucrative project.
• Set up a free-for-all space for artist's mentorship and rehearsals.
• Create a web shop where artists can upload and sell their work online.

Who can apply?

Interested individuals in the following categories:

• Dance and music.
• Fashion.
• Plastic arts.
• Acting and drama.
• Cinematography and photography.
• Literature.

Audition process

Auditions will take place in all the 30 districts in Rwanda. The top 70 artists representing each category will then participate in a boot camp prior to the grand finale, during which contestants will be linked with various experts from the creative industry to develop their individual craft, and to equip them with skills related to business development.

The participants will be vetted based on the following:

• Presentation skills.
• Project's self-sustainability.
• Project's creativity and originality.
• Project's knowledge depth.
• Time management skills.

Imbuto Foundation said it had received 587 applications in the first phase of its competition. Three projects received funding of 10 million Rwandan francs, with six artists getting 1 million francs each.

Apply here.

View the original call here.