May 9–June 20, 2020
Online
Micro-grant initiative, Maan, by Jeddah-based gallery, Athr.
Open Call deadline: June 20, 2020
Maan (together in Arabic) is the latest initiative developed by Athr Gallery, Jeddah in close collaboration with artists Manal AlDowayan, Nasser Al Salem, Dana Awartani, Sultan Bin Fahad, Ahmed Mater, Muhannad Shono and Ayman Yossri Daydban. The production and research fund consists of creating limited edition artworks by established and emerging artists to support fellow practicing artists and creatives in projects, research, as well as supporting studio practices. It was initiated in response to the magnitude of the current crisis and its impact on Saudi Arabia’s arts community, which was in process of building a sustainable art ecosystem.
Applications are open to all creatives based in Saudi Arabia or living in Saudi two years and longer. There are no limitations concerning age, region or provenance of the applicant. Applications can be submitted in Arabic or English. Applicants must be individual artists, or an individual representing an artist collective, ensemble, or group.
Applicants must be professional creatives, an individual or collective, who work in one or more of the following fields: drawing, painting, ceramics, and graphic arts, sculptures and installation art, conceptual art, performance art, artistic research, photography, film, video, sound, digital and new media art, self-published artist books, and art in public spaces. As well as illustrators, graphic designers, musicians, independent creative spaces, theatre groups, freelance creatives, curators, singers, poets, writers, and fashion designers.
Maan pledges 50% of its sales for the first 25 editions of each work to support artistic production and research, after which 25% of sales will be donated. Amounts varying between SAR 5,000-10,000 will be awarded through an open call process and applications will be reviewed by a jury, composed of Hamza Serafi, Co-Founder of Athr, and artists Manal AlDowayan, Dana Awartani and Muhannad Shono.
Athr will determine the grants’ values on a case-by-case analysis of the artists’ proposals and needs. The objectives and criteria of the fundraising will continue to evolve based on local and global circumstances and will be updated on our website. At the end of the project, the grantee must submit a brief report on the utilization of the funds within 3 months of its receipt. The closure report may include high resolution images, curatorial statement and a description of how the fund was utilized.
About Athr Gallery
Since its inception in Jeddah in 2009, Athr Gallery has played a pivotal role in building the Contemporary art scene in Saudi; valuing experimentation and the exploration of new ideas, disseminating the artists’ role in the creative process and the impact they can have on societies. As a relentless supporter of young as well as established artists from Saudi Arabia and the Arab region, Athr has been providing a number of opportunities for furthering knowledge and experience within its multidisciplinary space in Jeddah and beyond, such as international residencies, special commissions, international group exhibitions, symposia, funding and more.
Founded by Hamza Serafi and Mohammed Hafiz, whose passion and network allow Athr to have a deeply engaged discourse in the local art scene, they have taken on the initiative of filling the absence of public art institutions, museums and art schools to establish a sustainable art scene open to the world all while having an international presence
