In 2020, the Serendipity Arts Foundation and Les Rencontres d’Arles announced the biggest lens-based media grant, supported by the Institut français en Inde, with the shared purpose of promoting cultural practices in the South Asian region.
They are now open to receive applications for the second edition of the Serendipity Arles Grant 2023-24, inviting project proposals from South Asia, stemming from photography, video, new media and other lens based explorations. The initiative seeks not only to empower artists from the region, but also further a spirit of regional cooperation and representation.
The grant will be awarded in two phases.
Phase I will select 5 shortlisted projects awarding INR 70,000 (€800 approx.) each as a production Grant, to showcase their proposed projects as a work in progress display at the sixth edition of Serendipity Arts Festival 2023. Each shortlisted artist will send in their works with a complete installation plan/brief for SAF 2023. SAF will cover transport of art works to Goa. A jury will then select one wining project to move on to Phase II.
Phase II will award the selected winner a total of €15,000 and an opportunity to give a solo presentation at Les Rencontres d’Arles in July 2024. From the total Grant amount €9500 is given to the artist to develop the grant project; €5500 is extended to support the production, logistics and accommodation costs for final display at Les Rencontres d’Arles in July 2024. The organisers also cover air tickets to Arles and back (up to €1200) and a Visa Facilitation Fee.
Submissions are open to all lens-based South Asian practitioners from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka who are residents in these countries mentioned and have been practicing for 5 to 10 years. Applicants must be aged 30 years or above as of 30 January 2023. Individual artists and artist collectives can apply.
