The CATAPULT Lockdown Virtual Salon program aims to mitigate isolation, especially heightened during the current pandemic, by creating virtual platforms for cultural practitioners to engage in discourse about and explore their evolving practices. These one-hour artist talks from their homes or studios were live-streamed via the Fresh Milk YouTube channel between September 29th & November 20th, 2020.
Each cultural practitioner was paired with a co-discussant for an open conversation about their work. A live audience will be able to comment and ask questions during the event, which will be open to the public with a focus on reaching a wide cross-section of the English, Spanish, French and Dutch speaking Caribbean arts community, as well as those civil society organizations who are working in the target areas of culture, gender, LGBTQIA+, human rights and climate justice.
CATAPULT | A CARIBBEAN ARTS GRANT
Kingston Creative, Fresh Milk and the American Friends of Jamaica | The AFJ introduce CATAPULT | A Caribbean Arts Grant – a group of six new initiatives supporting Caribbean Creatives. These funding opportunities will increase the visibility of over 1,000 Caribbean-based artists, creatives and cultural practitioners to global audiences, provide much needed financial support, and develop the creative skills of our artists. Now more than ever in light of COVID-19, it is critical to think about artists having an online presence, valuing the work of Caribbean artists, and enabling their growth. CATAPULT will target participants living and working across the Dutch, English, French, and Spanish regions. This four-month comprehensive arts program includes online events, art writing and journalism sessions, technical training, residencies and virtual discursive salons.
CATAPULT is particularly interested in working with practitioners who are exploring the broad critical themes of Culture, Human Rights, Gender, LGBTQIA+, and Climate Justice from Caribbean perspectives and especially welcomes applications from those who do not have permanent employment at this time. CATAPULT will increase the capacity of Caribbean-based artists to navigate the digital space and learn new ways to connect with diverse global audiences. It will also promote the visibility of selected cultural practitioners by expanding online content from the region, enabling the region’s artists to engage wider audiences while contributing to the potential of earning beyond their borders.
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