Abu Dhabi’s Warehouse421 launches programme for creatives affected by Covid-19

The UAE arts and design centre has announced an open call for its ‘Project Revival Fund’.

Local and regional creatives across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) regions are invited to apply for Wharehouse421’s ‘Project Revival Fund’, a programme that aims to alleviate the challenges presented by the Covid-19 virus on creative industries.

Potential applicants, which includes visual artists, curators, literary creatives, designers and musicians in the MENASA regions, are encouraged to apply online through Warehouse421’s website for financial packages that can reach up to $2000. Applications will be assessed on several criteria including urgency, budget viability and impact, and decisions will be made by a selection committee that consists of members of the Warehouse421 team and cultural practitioners from the region.

Image courtesy of Warehouse421

The funds allocated to creatives is intended for the costs of producing and finalising projects that are currently on hold, including, but not limited to library and digital learning resources, transcription and translation services, rental and purchase of equipment, art materials and other tools.

“We hope that the Warehouse421 Project Revival Fund will support the region-wide efforts to ensure the sustainability of the creative practices that make up our ecosystem,” said Faisal Al Hassan, manager of Warehouse421. “At the core of what we do at Warehouse421 is our commitment to support emerging talent in the region, and 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 deadline for applications is 30 May, 2020, and some of the selected projects will have the opportunity to be part of the centre’s programme of exhibitions and community-wide initiatives.