As global travel has now resumed and is basically ‘back to normal’, the ESIROM Limited Team has decided to officially reopen the Sama-Sama Bali Residency & Fellowship Program for applications.
The fellowship provides an individual from the creative industry the opportunity to design his or her own programme and make artistic contacts in Bali, which will lead them to develop, extend and experiment in their creative practice. Residents are selected competitively from emerging talent in the fields of dance, music, the visual arts, new media, and the literary arts.
“This year for 2023, four residencies will be offered in 2023, one per calendar quarter. The first two recipients for the first two quarters of this year have already been selected and so we’re extending an open call for applications by July, for the selection of the last two quarters of this year,” shared Alex Morrissey, Programme Director.
Residents will be selected competitively from emerging talent in the fields of dance, music, the visual arts, new media, and the literary arts. It is envisaged that life-long cultural relationships with south east Asia will be established.
The programme also provides opportunities for young Jamaican artists to expand horizons through a cultural visit to Indonesia.
How to apply:
Selection of awardees will be based on applicants’ artistic performance to date, creative work plan for the period of the study visit, expected creative output by end of the residency, and proposed contribution to Jamaica’s world of arts on return home. The age of applicants, as of January 1, 2023, should be minimum 22 years and not more than 29 years.
Applicants should explicitly address the following questions in their proposals:
- What are your plans for personal development in your art form?
- What do you consider your main creative achievement to date?
- How do you envisage that a residency in Bali will contribute to your development?
- What key objectives will drive your effort in Bali?
- What outcome would define success if you are awarded a residency?
- How might you engage with the Balinese community during your residency?
- What contribution could you make, based on your Bali experience, to the artistic community on your return to Jamaica?
“The selection committee to be chaired by Michael Holgate of the University of the West Indies, Mona, will review applications and make offers. The journey of each participant lasts for 2 months per person,” commented Morrissey.
Interestingly too, Holgate has also been a recipient of this programme in the previous years. The programme has existed and sent recipients officially since 2018. Other previous attendees include:
- Joanna Francis, Painter & Student of Art Education, 2018 Fellowship
- Ishaka Shango, Photographer & Vlogger, 2018 Fellowship
- Carlyle Grant, Marketer, 2019 Fellowship
- Danielle Russell, Filmmaker, 2019 Fellowship
- Tiana Anglin, Artiste, 2021 Fellowship
What’s Included in the Fellowship:
- A return airfare from one of Jamaica’s airports to Denpasar, Indonesia
- Up to two months quality accommodation in Ubud, the cultural centre of the island of Bali
- Awardees will additionally be provided, as necessary, with a return airfare to Singapore for visa renewal purposes at mid-point of a two-month stay, allowing him or her to explore Singaporean arts for a day or two.
- Interested artists should apply by July 31, 2023
To apply & seek more information around the programme & stipulations, creatives and/or emerging artistes can visit: https://www.esirom.com/bali/
