The Bagri Foundation is pleased to invite submissions for a brand-new online commissioning series entitled ‘At Home in the World’.
The Foundation has been keen to start a digital programme for well over a year, and at a time when postponements and cancellations are taking place across the world, it felt now would be the best time to reallocate funds for a project that ensures Asian artists can continue to make work from home. Since we cannot currently travel to see art, this project explores the myriad ways that creative practitioners can engage with the digital.
For At Home in the World, the Bagri Foundation is inviting artists, writers, musicians, curators, filmmakers, researchers and academics to submit proposals to be one of five new online public commissions, to be presented across its online platforms.
The title is inspired by Vietnamese philosopher and Buddhist Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s collection of autobiographical stories which impart mindfulness teachings, insights and life lessons. Embracing Hanh’s inspiring mindful approach, the online series has been designed for creatives from across Asia and the diaspora to share their own journeys of discovery, knowledge and ideas.
How do we cope, connect and continue to create? How can we explore new ways of thinking about survival, care and solidarity? Perhaps you want to make a work that has nothing to do with this crisis. Perhaps you have always made work that explores subjects which have become ever more urgent.
Being culturally curious, the Foundation is calling out for participants to respond to this brief not only from a place of artistic creation, but that of a place of hope. As we enter a new world, which may look very different from the one we’ve always known, the Foundation invites those who can challenge its thinking, inspire and encourage others.
Who is eligible to apply?
The Bagri Foundation welcomes proposals from artists, writers, musicians, curators, filmmakers and academics in which the opportunity to experiment and receive resources from an arts foundation would be impactful. It would particularly like to see applications from those who have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and who have suffered cancellations of work as a result. The Foundation encourages anyone who considers themselves an emerging artist to apply and there is no age or geographical limit.
Proposals can be submitted by single artists or artist collectives that meet the below criteria:
– Artists must be from an Asian country or Asian diaspora as per the Foundation’s remit.
– Applicants must have experience conceiving and executing works or projects
– The work submitted must not have already been exhibited publicly
– The work must be able to be shared digitally
– The work must fit into one or more of these five identified categories:
– Visual Arts – painting, sculpture, artists video, photography
– Film – short films in any genre, filmed performance such as dance or performance art
– Sound – music, sound art, podcasts
– Written Word – poetry, essay, fictional narrative
– Lectures/Courses – workshops, talks and courses delivered virtually and ideally participatory
The Foundation has a strong interest in traditional arts and culture of Asia and its influence on contemporary practices, and therefore would love to see proposals that embrace this.
What does the Foundation mean when it says Asia?
The Foundation supports work by artists from all of Asia and its diaspora in its broadest sense. This includes Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
How do I apply?
Interested artists are asked to submit a proposal via the application portal. Artists will be asked to submit a CV if useful, a bio and answer a series of questions detailing their proposal and interest in bringing the online commission to fruition. The Foundation does not expect fully fledged, finished works at this time. Deadline for proposals 17 April 2020 at 17:00 GMT.
You can submit your proposal through Google Forms Here. The proposal must be submitted in English. The answers can also be given via audio or video, for those who need it.
Due to the nature of the At Home in the World open call, proposals will only be accepted electronically. Materials sent by mail, in person, or by phone will not be considered. If after reading the FAQs, you still have unanswered questions, or if you require additional access materials please feel free to contact the Foundation at enquiries@bagrifoundation.org
What if my work does not fit into one of the categories?
The work must fit into at least one of the categories above. The Foundation favours interdisciplinary work. If you find that you cross into multiple categories, then please select multiple checkboxes on the application form.
Is there an artist fee granted for the selected proposal?
Yes, each of the five selected artists will receive an honorarium of £1,000 GBP (inclusive of taxes and expenses) for the preparation and delivery of the digital contribution. In the case of a collective, this honorarium is per project selected, not per artist.
What is the budget?
Artists should propose a project that they feel can be realised in return for the £1,000 honorarium. In addition, the selected artists will be supported by the Bagri Foundation team in every aspect of marketing, PR, audience engagement and mentorship.
How will the artist be selected?
All complete proposals received by 17 April 2020 at 17:00 GMT will be reviewed internally for eligibility by the Bagri Foundation team and trustees. A panel of guest judges for each category will help select the final artists. These will be announced shortly.
In May, selected artists will be notified, and an online marketing and PR campaign shall commence. Selected artists will receive templates and general guidance for these items.
When will the selected artists be announced?
The selected artists will be announced in May 2020.
How do we apply as a Collective?
The Foundation welcomes proposals from existing collectives with a history of making work together. Collectives must apply under a single account and ask that they provide biographical information for each member.
How many proposals can I submit?
A maximum of two proposals per artist, regardless of the category, will be accepted. If someone submits more than two proposals – whether as an individual or as a part of a collective – only the first two received will be reviewed. It is likely that only one per artist would be selected, however.
When and where will the selected project be open to the public?
The selected works will be presented on online platforms, hosted via Bagri Foundation on all connected social media platforms between June and August, approximately every two weeks. When these go live depends on the nature of the work. If appropriate, the work will then stay on the Foundation website in perpetuity, or removed at a mutually agreed time. There may be further opportunities to share work via media partners.
Important dates to know:
– 17 April 2020: Application portal closes at 5pm
– 1 May 2020: Shortlisted artists notified
– May/June 2020: Artists selection announced
– June-August: Public commissions released every two weeks
If you require this information in another format for accessibility, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at enquiries@bagrifoundation.org