Deadline: 15-Jul-20
Create Syria is a programme by Ettijahat – Independent Culture and the British Council which seeks to increase the capacity of artists to contribute to the development of stronger, more cohesive communities through the design and delivery of community arts initiatives that focus on experience and artistic quality.
Create Syria supports individuals and initiatives to build new skills, grow their experience, and network with creative practitioners interested in the relationship between arts and community practices. Create Syria is open to all Syrian artists residing in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Europe.
Under the title of Home Edition, this third edition of Create Syria will enable artists to develop their technical and artistic skills in community settings through Idea Development Support. This is a new path of support that gives the opportunity for ten artists or creative practitioners to grow their experience and understanding of arts and social change. This strand provides a space for research and practical experimentation to those seeking to develop more mature creative proposals. The support package includes the following components:
- An online participatory platform for idea sharing and mentorship from local and international experts
- A package of financial support of up to $6,000 for ten artists to develop ideas and test them experimentally
- Local and international peer to peer networking opportunities
Objectives
Objectives Create Syria has the following objectives:
- To increase the capacity of artists and community organisations to deliver local artistic projects that have positive impact within their communities and contribute to greater inclusivity and cohesiveness.
- To champion diversity and participation within communities (of Syrians and non-Syrians) in community arts initiatives that focus on experience and artistic quality.
- To inspire and facilitate networking and collaboration between artists and community-based organisations working in the arts in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Europe, as well as with the UK and international practitioners.
Criteria and Selection Process
A committee of arts and culture experts working in the project’s target communities will read and evaluate the eligible applications, in order to choose proposals that will be supported. The committee will favor applications that are most likely to benefit significantly from the programme. The main criteria for selection are:
- Relevance to the objectives of Create Syria
- The applicant’s understanding of the reality of their local community and their awareness and sensitivity towards community work and artistic practices
- The level of experimentation and innovation showed in the applicant’s approach to arts and social change
- The opportunities for local community involvement within the idea presented
- Applicant’s or team’s Readiness
- The ability of the idea developer to develop his/her proposal
- The applicant’s willingness and desire to work creatively towards social change in an innovative way
- The applicant’s willingness to learn from one’s environment and through exchange with others
- The extent to which the idea developer will benefit from Create Syria
Eligibility Criteria
- All artists and designers of artistic programmes, regardless of whether they are emerging or established in their careers. Create Syria encourages the participation of individuals, teams and group initiatives that are interested in artistic programming.
- The programme also encourages cooperation and partnership between different cultural agents and practitioners. This includes all Syrian artists, including Syrian-Palestinians, residing in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Europe, aged between 22 and 40 years old.
- Ettijahat and the British Council are looking for a diverse range of artists and creative practitioners to participate in this programme and strongly encourage disabled and/or D/deaf artists and creative practitioners to apply. Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
Required Documents
- The completed Application Form filled in Arabic (application forms completed in other languages will not be accepted).
- The applicant’s up-to-date CV.
- A video recording of no more than two minutes in which the applicant explains their reasons for applying for Create Syria and how it will benefit them on a professional level.
- A copy of the applicant’s ID or passport.
- A copy of the applicant’s valid Residency Permit.
- A portfolio of complete work, if the application is submitted on behalf of a team or group initiative.
- Samples of previously implemented projects if applicable.
For more information, visit https://www.ettijahat.org/page/1029