Our Digital Commissions Series spun out of the Virtual Artwalk and was created in response to COVID-19, supporting artists and their work while funding decreased for artists everywhere. Kingston Creative allocated $2.7 million in funding. During this three month period, we commissioned work from visual artists, filmmakers, musicians and performers.

There were 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 were 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.

In total, we had 126 artists apply for project consideration in a two month period. 85% of the applications were accepted. In total, across the four Digital Commissions categories, 272 artists were impacted in total. 27 of those artists were for the Downtown Kingston area where we are based. Writers, musicians, thought-leaders, and creative entrepreneurs were all represented and had the opportunity to bring their own work to a larger audience.

Feedback:

I first heard about the digital commissions that were on offer for Kingston Creative from  April. It was well advertised and when I pitched my idea for my Virtual Exhibition ‘The Wind  at the Docks’ the response was within 24 hours which I thought was pretty impressive.

On working on the project KC gave me clear guidelines from their end and also a whatsapp  group was set up which included the marketing team. Their promotion of the event along  with mine was a success and very timely leading up to the date of the launch.

I applaud this initiative as it helps to grow the potential, awareness and possibilities for  creatives in Jamaica especially in this critical juncture where opportunity has to be shifted to  the online space.

I recommend Kingston Creatives digital Commissions to anyone.

• Micheal Elliiot