In light of the impact on creative people and businesses from the COVID-19 outbreak, Kingston Creative is introducing a new pot of funds for virtual arts activities, called Digital Commissions. Understanding that it is critical to keep creatives earning and visible during this time, the local arts NGO is allocating $2,700,000 to new commissions that creatives in Jamaica can apply until – May 31, 2020 by contacting [email protected].
There are four tiers of Digital Commissions:
1. The Virtual Artwalk
Artists and Artisans can record videos which will be aired on Last Sundays on Kingston Creative’s IGTV channel and be available on Kingston Creative’s YouTube Channel afterwards. The goal is to keep artists earning from virtual performances; to maintain artists visibility while promoting their contact details and delivery options that they use to get the goods to the customers and of finally to allow the audience to experience and enjoy the arts and creative products during this period. Artists and Artisans will be paid $5000 – $15,000 for each segment depending on the length of the segment. Up to 50 artists will be selected each month.
2. Creative Presentations
Creatives can pre-record or livestream a webinar or workshop for airing on their own social media platforms and/or the Kingston Creative Social media channels. This can take the form of an artist talk, a “how-to” workshop, a book reading, or studio tour. Recommended platforms are Zoom, Facebook Live or IGTV. The artist must interact by answering questions posted by viewers in the comments section for 15 minutes. Kingston Creative will provide training and support and pay a fee of $5,000 – $15,000 to each selected artist. Up to 10 artists per month will be selected.
3. Artist Articles
We are looking for a series of written features (~2000 word minimum), accompanied by photographs or video that give insight into a day in the life or career path of a Jamaican creative (artist/writer/filmmaker/fashion designer etc.). These will be selected, posted on social media and published on the Kingston Creative Website and Blog. Each selected artist will be paid $10,000 – 20,000 for the feature. Up to five artists will be selected each month.
4. Open Commissions
Pitch Kingston Creative an idea for an innovative online event, discussion, performance or exhibition – anything that can take place or be displayed online. These are open commissions, so bring your best ideas, and say how much you think it will cost. Applications from collectives or industry associations are welcomed.
Kingston Creative is committed to ensuring the continuity and viability of creative entrepreneurs during this challenging time. They will be continuing to implement the mural commissions and contracts that were in train for visual artists to create street art in Downtown Kingston, provided that the necessary social distancing and Ministry of Health orders can be properly observed.
The nonprofit organisation is also polling the creative community to identify the individuals at risk, needs, recommendations and strategies that people are using to cope or pivot their businesses. They then share this information and suggestions made by the creative community with decision-makers regularly. To participate in the survey, use the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCK365F
Last but not least, Kingston Creative encourages open communication between creative practitioners at this time. Through a weekly online chat about resilience in the arts sector, they are creating a collaborative space to discuss solutions. This happens on Thursdays at 10:00 am and people can direct message Kingston Creative on any social media platform to receive the Zoom link to join in. People can also share their views and suggestions via Twitter by posting comments and questions using the hashtag: #COVID19JACCI.
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In light of the impact on creative people and businesses from the COVID-19 outbreak, Kingston Creative is introducing a new pot of funds for virtual arts activities, called Digital Commissions. Understanding that it is critical to keep creatives earning and visible during this time, the local arts NGO is allocating $2,700,000 to new commissions that creatives in Jamaica can apply until – May 31, 2020 by contacting [email protected].
There are four tiers of Digital Commissions:
1. The Virtual Artwalk
Artists and Artisans can record videos which will be aired on Last Sundays on Kingston Creative’s IGTV channel and be available on Kingston Creative’s YouTube Channel afterwards. The goal is to keep artists earning from virtual performances; to maintain artists visibility while promoting their contact details and delivery options that they use to get the goods to the customers and of finally to allow the audience to experience and enjoy the arts and creative products during this period. Artists and Artisans will be paid $5000 – $15,000 for each segment depending on the length of the segment. Up to 50 artists will be selected each month.
2. Creative Presentations
Creatives can pre-record or livestream a webinar or workshop for airing on their own social media platforms and/or the Kingston Creative Social media channels. This can take the form of an artist talk, a “how-to” workshop, a book reading, or studio tour. Recommended platforms are Zoom, Facebook Live or IGTV. The artist must interact by answering questions posted by viewers in the comments section for 15 minutes. Kingston Creative will provide training and support and pay a fee of $5,000 – $15,000 to each selected artist. Up to 10 artists per month will be selected.
3. Artist Articles
We are looking for a series of written features (~2000 word minimum), accompanied by photographs or video that give insight into a day in the life or career path of a Jamaican creative (artist/writer/filmmaker/fashion designer etc.). These will be selected, posted on social media and published on the Kingston Creative Website and Blog. Each selected artist will be paid $10,000 – 20,000 for the feature. Up to five artists will be selected each month.
4. Open Commissions
Pitch Kingston Creative an idea for an innovative online event, discussion, performance or exhibition – anything that can take place or be displayed online. These are open commissions, so bring your best ideas, and say how much you think it will cost. Applications from collectives or industry associations are welcomed.
Kingston Creative is committed to ensuring the continuity and viability of creative entrepreneurs during this challenging time. They will be continuing to implement the mural commissions and contracts that were in train for visual artists to create street art in Downtown Kingston, provided that the necessary social distancing and Ministry of Health orders can be properly observed.
The nonprofit organisation is also polling the creative community to identify the individuals at risk, needs, recommendations and strategies that people are using to cope or pivot their businesses. They then share this information and suggestions made by the creative community with decision-makers regularly. To participate in the survey, use the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCK365F
Last but not least, Kingston Creative encourages open communication between creative practitioners at this time. Through a weekly online chat about resilience in the arts sector, they are creating a collaborative space to discuss solutions. This happens on Thursdays at 10:00 am and people can direct message Kingston Creative on any social media platform to receive the Zoom link to join in. People can also share their views and suggestions via Twitter by posting comments and questions using the hashtag: #COVID19JACCI.
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