The Emerging Artist programme for Performing Arts at ART:DIS supports aspiring artists with disabilities to professionalise, breaking down barriers such as preconceived biases and a lack of access to formal education. This professional development pathway aims to highlight PwDs’ works on contemporary platforms within the arts/cultural sector. Made possible through the Tote Board Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) Grant, the programme will prepare emerging artists through mentorships with industry veterans, enabling them to deepen their artistic skills, establish their brand voice and gain opportunities.

Training Outcomes

• Work with the artist to refine a focused artistic style and practice
• Expose the artist to relevant and contemporary art practices and concepts
• Strengthen the artist’s perspectives, techniques, and skillsets
• Develop the artist’s personal brand and value e.g. social media, website development
• Support the artist to produce and present innovative work in a final showcase (capstone project)

Access Support 

The programme is merit-based and aims to support artists across different disability types – sensory, intellectual and physical. To the best of our resources, access provision will be provided to ensure the selected artist is able to maximize their participation and growth outcomes during the course of the programme.

Trajectory

The programme will be individually customised to each mentee’s artistic vision hence selected artists will be provided: (1)a dedicated mentor to hone their artistic skills and conceptual thinking, (2) studio space support, (3) access to a panel of industry professionals who will provide support in specialised areas (i.e. writing, directing, choreographing, curating, composing etc.) and (4) masterclasses for career preparation (i.e. self-branding, digital marketing, portfolio-building, public-speaking etc.)

After potential artists are shortlisted, creative dialogues will be held to better assess each other’s perspectives and expectations. Different genres of artists will be considered objectively based on ambition, innovation and artistry.

Criteria

• Open to artists with disabilities who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents.
• Applicants must be aged 18 years and above.
• Applicant should have at least 2 years of experience with the relevant genres and possess the uniqueness, originality, characteristics, innovation, aptitude and mindset to develop into independent and professional artists.

Fees 

There are no fees as this is fully subsidised by Tote Board Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) Grant. However, selected artists must commit to completing the full duration of the programme and contribute $500 upfront, which would be fully reimbursed back to the artist as their production budget for the final showcase (capstone project).

Application

Please attach your full curriculum vitae and portfolio with the application form and submit by 20 November 2023 (11:59pm) to azeera@artdis.org.sg or hand-deliver to our Changi or Bukit Merah centre.

• We welcome all forms of portfolios such as videos, photos, music files, text files, online video / photo / music / text links, online articles / essays / criticisms etc.
• If you find that expressing yourself through written text is not accessible or conducive to you, please feel free to use other modes such as Audio or Video Recording, to answer the same questions
• Only complete submissions received before the deadline will be considered.