Warehouse421 in Abu Dhabi has announced a new fund created to help artists whose projects have been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The arts and design centre announced its Project Revival Fund on Sunday, May 10, as a way to help mid-career visual artists, curators, writers, designers and musicians affected in the region. They can apply for funding of monetary packages of up to $2,000 (Dh7,300) per applicant. Warehouse421 says it will fund at least 30 projects.
Those interested can submit applications with details about their projects on the Warehouse421 website. Applications can be made in English and Arabic, and applicants must be over 21 years old. The deadline for submissions is Saturday, May 30.
The funds are aimed to keep artistic production in the region going despite the current crisis, which has not only caused the closure of museums and galleries and the cancellation of shows, but has also placed many art institutions on the brink of financial calamity.
With the money received from Warehouse421, artists can cover the costs of completing their projects, whether these are related to procuring material, renting equipment or conducting research. Recipients of the fund will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of cultural practitioners from across the region, along with the Warehouse421 team, which will base its decisions on criteria such as the urgency and impact of Covid-19 on the applicant’s practice.
In addition, the selected projects may be included in the art centre’s future programming and initiatives.
Faisal Al Hassan, manager of Warehouse421 said, in a statement: “We hope that this fund will offer creatives the much-needed opportunity to continue their projects that were impacted by the current difficulties the world is facing.”
The Warehouse421 Project Revival Fund is part of other local efforts to help artists during the coronavirus crisis. Art Jameel, which operates Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai, is running three cycles of funding for its micro-grant initiative, Art Jameel Research and Practice Platform. The centre has put aside a total of Dh550,000 in grants.
At the end of April, Dubai Culture offered its support for this platform, with a UAE-specific version of funding.
More information on the Warehouse421 Project Revival Fund is available at warehouse421.ae
