Aims and Objectives:
The MMCA Sri Lanka is looking to collaborate with cultural practitioners (artists, activists, writers, poets, facilitators, performers, educators etc.) from the Northern, Eastern, and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka interested in using art to promote civic dialogue and alternate approaches to conflict resolution.
Are you interested in developing art programming that directly addresses and impacts the root causes of conflict in your local community?
Would you like to develop skills for utilising art-based, dialogue tools as a device for ADR amongst your community?
Are you curious to understand and learn more about art programming, community engagement, and public pedagogical approaches?
Fellowship Programme Structure:
The MMCA Sri Lanka will select three Fellows to be part of a six-month programme which includes three months of living and working in Colombo.
During the programme’s first three months, each Fellow will work alongside one artist working in their province to assist them as they develop a specially commissioned artwork. (The three artists will be commissioned by the MMCA Sri Lanka as part of the wider ‘Arts 4 ADR’ programme of activities.)
During the second three months of the programme, Fellows will work in situ at the MMCA Sri Lanka in Colombo planning, developing, testing, and implementing lesson plans and tools through the museum’s public programmes. They will use ADR based approaches to invite the public to engage with three specially commissioned artworks.
Each Fellow will be expected to deliver at least three public programmes as part of a forthcoming exhibition at the MMCA Sri Lanka due to open in September 2024.
Post-training application: Fellows will have the opportunity to implement their skills in 5 community-based workshops in their province of residence.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must be residents of the Northern, Eastern, or Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka.
A demonstrated interest or experience in the arts, activism, community engagement, or related fields.
Passion about art and its role in societal change.
The ability to speak Tamil and/or Sinhala is highly preferred.
Application and Submission Requirements:
Answer the following questions:
(Click here to submit your answers.)
Tell us about your work as a cultural practitioner (200 words)
Elaborate on how your work or interests address and/or engage with socio-political themes in your local context (250 words)
How would you invest the learnings from this Fellowship in your local community? (150 words)
Who is a role model who has inspired your artistic practice? (50 words)
(Click here to submit your answers)
Supporting Materials
Once you have submitted your answers in the application form, please share the following via email as file links, folders or pdf’s to info@mmca-srilanka.org and clearly marked: ‘Dialogue and Civic Engagement Fellowship Application’ in the subject line.
Pitch: A presentation where you introduce yourself and your work, and answer the question ‘What drives you as a cultural practitioner?’. Be creative; this is our chance to get to know you better. This can be in writing (max 450 words) or as a video or audio submission (max three minutes). Assistance is available for those unable to provide a pitch in these formats.
Letter of Recommendation: From a person or organisation familiar with your work. They must confirm their working relationship with you, the length of time you worked with them, and the quality of your work. This letter should be signed and include the contact details of the referee.
Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailing relevant experiences, achievements, and skills.
Supporting Materials: Samples of your cultural work (e.g., videos, images, texts, portfolios), reviews, interviews, or any other relevant documentation.
Application Deadline:
Applications must be submitted no later than 15 March 2024.