Strengthening Civil Society Through Arts and Culture | Open Society Foundations (OSF)

http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/strengthening-civil-society-through-arts-and-culture

The Open Society Arts and Culture Program works at the nexus of arts, culture, human rights, and social advocacy. Through its grant program, the program strives to encourage broad-based critical reflection and catalyze social action in parts of the world where open societies are absent or weak, and where the cultural rights of minority groups are endangered.

The aim of this call for proposals is to strengthen alternative and autonomous cultural infrastructures and innovative arts initiatives, to raise professional standards in the art world in the Arts and Culture Program’s regions of activity, and to promote reform in the arena of cultural policy.

Eligibility Criteria

Projects that aim to draw on the power of culture to help build open societies in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan), the Caucasus, Afghanistan, Moldova, Mongolia, and Turkey, and that involve one of the following activities:

  • Cultural production
  • Creating or strengthening cultural platforms
  • Professional development and capacity-building

 

Purpose and Priorities

Projects that address one or more of the following priorities of the Arts and Culture Program will be considered to bring added value:

  • Capacity building: Strengthening the capacity of individuals and organizations to implement and sustain good practices and effective ways of working.
  • Collaboration: Building alliances and networks with other projects and organizations to encourage knowledge sharing within the country of operation and beyond.
  • Diversity: Promoting greater equality and access to cultural goods and activities for the most marginalized beneficiaries.
  • Public Engagement with Critical Social Issues: Using the power of arts and culture to promote discussion, debate, and critical reflection on social issues of importance to target communities and beneficiaries.

 

The supported activities are described in detail in the attached application guidelines.

Guidelines

Please download and carefully read the complete Application Guidelines attached before you fill in the Letter of Inquiry, which is the first step in the application process. This document is designed to give you all the information you need to apply. Should you need further clarification, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), available as part of the guidelines.

Open Society Arts and Culture Program Call for applications

From its inception, the strategic policy of the Arts and Culture Network Program of the Open Society Institute, has been proactive, inspirational, and a catalyst for Soros Foundation cultural activities, multifaceted in approach and inclusive of all groups of people and disciplines of artistic expression.

The Call is open to applicants from and activities in one or more of the following countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Ex-patriots of the abovementioned countries who are willing to return temporarily to their country of origin and share their expertise with local organizations or individuals may also apply.

 Projects that address one or more of the following priorities of the Arts and Culture Program will be considered to bring added value:
– Capacity building
– Collaboration
– Diversity
– Public Engagement with Critical Social Issues

Grants are offered for the following three activities:
1. Cultural production
2. Creating or strengthening cultural platforms
3. Professional development and capacity-building.

Applications may be submitted by non-profit legal entities (non-governmental and public
organizations, libraries, museums, cultural centers, associations, communities, registered
charities, etc.) that work in the field of arts and culture.

Individuals can apply under activities 1 and 3 (professional development only).
Former grantees of the Arts and Culture Program may apply on the condition that a final
report from the previous grant period has been submitted and approved.

Assistance is offered from in-country mentors for applicants who are invited to develop a full project proposal. ACP mentors can offer advice and feedback on developing a welldesigned proposal.

Application deadline:
31 December 2012
Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis

More information, including guidelines, forms, country coordinators:
www.soros.org
Daniela Bolganschi
dbolganschi(at)osi.hu