Call for Proposals: Kuonyesha Art Fund Program

Kuonyesha promotes and supports the professional development of the arts in a way that enhances the arts’ meaningful critical influence and participation of art and artists in the issues shaping society and public life in Africa today.

Goal

• To support, promote and celebrate art and artists in their diversity in Africa.

Focus Areas

• The fund will focus on the broader clusters of Visual, Performing and Literary arts further expounded into the following categories:
  • Visual Arts (e.g. Painting, sculpture, weaving, woodcut printing, Crafts etc.)
  • Fashion and product design
  • Literature (including publishing)
  • Audio-Visual (Graphics & Animation, New Media)
  • Dance & Music
  • Theatre
  • Film and Photography
  • Folklore/Spoken word
  • Arts research
  • Multi-disciplinary projects
  • Exhibitions/Publications/Arts dissemination
  • And other performing artists

Eligibility Criteria

• The grant award is open to all artists of all ages living and working on the Africa continent; minors may be required to be accompanied and guided by an adult. Female artists and artists who are Persons with Disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
• Individual artists who are established and have demonstrated ability to influence communities through their art. They will most likely have a track record and be able to demonstrate ability to manage funds/resources responsibly.
• Artists that have potential to do more with their art; they may have some ideas and/or even made an initial investment in their art project but are unable to proceed because of limited resources. The Fund will serve as a ‘push fund’ for such artists.
• New and/or emerging artists who may not have much exposure or are trying new ideas and require investment to enable them further to explore and show case their work.
• Artists that require support to enhance the quality of their work for instance through additional research, technical art training, provision of equipment, as well as exposure.
• Only artists who are living in and/or citizens or have been granted permanent residence in any country in Africa may apply.

Selection Criteria

• The winning artists are selected based on; originality, feasibility, the quality of their work, technique prowess, conceptual and thematic engagement, honest reasoning, and rationale of the submitted ideas/ artists’ works /art projects in their chosen Arts field.
• Projects that critically address/reflect on urgent socio – political issues/a relevant topic in society.
• Projects that seek to build relations with new or broader audiences within the African discourse.
• Projects that develop new collaborative ways of working with communities, activists, scientists and the like.
• Projects that bring art to new spaces.

Application Requirements

• All art forms/all artistic expressions, artistic research may be submitted.
• All fields in the proposal form should be completed/answered when submitting the entry upon which the artist will receive confirmation.
• Entries may be made in the designated digital form or in the form of video/audio. The application may be accompanied by between 3-10 images/video clips for each entry showcasing the portfolio of artworks.
• Video entry Applications are acceptable; with full narration explanations of the intended artists’ artworks/art projects/idea (not more than 3 minutes long).

For more information, visit Kuonyesha Art Fund.