Deadline: 31 October 2019
Action for AIDS Singapore is currently accepting applications for its Fund for the Arts to combat HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, as part of AFA’s vision of ending HIV and AIDS in Singapore by 2030. In spite of the great strides in biomedical advancement to manage HIV infections, societal stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV (PLHIV) and other key affected populations (such as gay and other men who have sex with men, transgender people, and sex workers) remain prevalent in Singapore. This continues to be a major hurdle in the way of HIV prevention, voluntary HIV testing, retroviral treatment adherence, and acceptance of PLHIV.
HIV is a complex public health issue that intersects with other bases of discrimination. For those caught in the webs of stigma and discrimination, their sexual health behaviours are adversely affected, including an aversion to voluntary HIV/STI testing. Further, societal stigma prevents community outreach/prevention work and deters access to comprehensive sexual health education and services. They cannot end HIV-related stigma and discrimination without simultaneously addressing the crosscutting discrimination faced by key affected populations.
Objective
AFA believes that art is a powerful medium that can be harnessed to gradually change societal mindsets and attitudes. Accordingly, the Fund for the Arts aims to provide support to artists whose works are directed towards alleviating the various forms of stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS and PLHIV.
Funding Information
They will be awarding grants of up to $20,000 per project, subject to assessment of its scale and production value. Selection will be done by a panel appointed by AfA.
Criteria
- As a pilot exercise, they are looking to fund short films or related media that fulfil the following criteria:
- Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment towards addressing stigma and discrimination faced by PLHIV and/or key affected populations;
- Employ unique, yet accessible, story-telling that will engage a general audience;
- Formatted for potential online distribution, and free of copyrighted material.
- Applications are open to all Singaporean Citizens and Permanent Residents.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must download the application form via given website.
For more information, please visit https://afa.org.sg/whatwedo/advocate/artsfund/