Mobility First! – Special Open Call for Artists in Conflict

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 #MobilityFirst Special Open Call for Artists in Conflict

We live in fragile and uncertain times characterised by conflicts that often put people at risk, including artists and other professionals in the cultural sector. Various fundamental freedoms are also at risk including the freedom of movement and artistic freedom. This is acknowledged by UNESCO which highlights the need to promote and protect both in its 2018 Global Report – Re-shaping Cultural Policies:

UNESCO on freedom of movement:

“…the right to freedom of movement is an integral dimension of the panoply of human rights and fundamental freedoms.” (Re-shaping Cultural Policies, UNESCO 2018 Global Report, p. 109)

UNESCO on artistic freedom:

“The promotion and protection of artistic freedom, including initiatives for the recognition of the status of the artists, should be central to all aspects of cultural policy.” (Re-shaping Cultural Policies, UNESCO 2018 Global Report, p. 225)

In this context, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), through its Mobility First!  travel grant, and Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) are launching a special call for artists and cultural professionals working in conflict and post-conflict societies.

Eligibility

• Artists and cultural professionals living and working in Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) countries
• Arts organisations based in ASEM countries
• Artists, cultural professionals, and arts organisations that are currently being affected by present-time conflct – we will prioritise practitioners who are directly impacted by conflict – not necessarily those who wish to address issues of conflict
• Asia to Europe, Europe to Asia, and intra-Asia travel routes

Timeline

We will have 2 open calls in 2019 for this special grant:

How to apply?

Application form for artists and cultural professionals: 

https://asefculture.formstack.com/forms/mobilityfirst2019cla 

Application form for arts organisations: 

https://asefculture.formstack.com/forms/mobilityfirst2019cla_orgs 

Note: Arts organisations may apply for up to 2 artists/cultural professionals to participate in an activity they are organising.

About the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)

In 1997, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) was established by Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) partners as its only permanent institution. The Foundation seeks to promote understanding, strengthen relationships and facilitate cooperation among the people, institutions and organisations of Asia and Europe. The contributions of ASEF to civil society are acknowledged by Leaders at the ASEM Summits.

Located in Singapore, ASEF reports to a board of governors and is publicly funded by voluntary contributions from its 53 ASEM partners. In 2017, our total expenditure amounts to approximately S$6 million, of which nearly 70% of this sum is project expenditure. The cost of many ASEF projects are also shared by other institutions as well as private corporations of ASEM countries.

About Cambodian Living Arts (CLA)

For almost 20 years, Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) has worked tirelessly to regrow Cambodia’s arts sector and provide opportunities for artists to write the story of the country’s future. Founded in 1998 by genocide survivor, musician, and peace advocate Arn Chorn-Pond, they initially focused on the preservation of endagered performing art forms and rituals. After the Khmer Rouge regime, 90% of Cambodia’s artists did not survive and arts that had been trasmitted between generations were in danger of being lost forever.

Over the past 2 decades, the work of CLA has changed in line with the development of Cambodia and the rapidly re-emerging arts sector. Noting the need to nurture talent and equip emerging artists and young leaders with the skills and opportunities they need to start sustainable careers in the arts, they offer scholarships, fellowships, and other training opportunities; provide employment opportunities through regular performances and festivals, and create opportunities for international exchanges, research, and networking.

Read more here: https://www.cambodianlivingarts.org/ 

For the regular Mobility First! open call, please visit: www.asef.live/mobilityfirst2019 

For almost 20 years, Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) has worked tirelessly to regrow Cambodia’s arts sector and provide opportunities for artists to write the story of the country’s future. Founded in 1998 by genocide survivor, musician, and peace advocate Arn Chorn-Pond, they initially focused on the preservation of endangered performing art forms and rituals. After the Khmer Rouge regime, 90% of

Cambodia’s artists did not survive and arts that had been transmitted between generations were in danger of being lost forever.

Over the past 2 decades, the work of CLA has changed in line with the development of Cambodia and the rapidly re-emerging arts sector. Noting the need to nurture talent and equip emerging artists and young leaders with the skills and opportunities they need to start sustainable careers in the arts, they offer

scholarships, fellowships, and other training opportunities; provide employment opportunities through regular performances and festivals, and create opportunities for international exchanges, research, and networking.

Looking forward, CLA will focus more on stimulating creativity and innovation in the arts sector. They will continue to build links between the arts sector in Cambodia and those of neighboring countries in Southeast Asia and further afield. They are also seeking to better integrate arts and culture into the Cambodian public school curriculum while also increasing performance opportunities for Cambodian

Artists.