“How do we communicate across languages forgotten, forced or adopted? Connecting the dust here to the concrete there.”
Bakanal de Afrique (BdA) is a multidisciplinary Afro Urban festival that celebrates the odyssey of our people through art and culture. From its birth in 2009, Bakanal de Afrique intended to be a phenomenon that stretched the length and breadth of the world, and united Urban Africans in a unique way.
BDA 2020: 'MI SOON COME'
Transportation x Urbanity x Sociopolitical Context x Art
Our theme 'Mi Soon Come' invites artists and creatives of diverse African descent to submit artwork proposals (either existing, or in idea form) that explores modes of transport in urban cultures and how it intersects with culture, class and citizenship. Invited artists will be presented as part of our Bakanal de Afrique Festival online throughout the month of November 2020.
We are interested in creative work that speaks to the theme and explores questions as it shows up in regional Urban African/Black communities and culture. For example:
How do vehicles act as a medium for artistic and cultural expression?
What memorable personal or historical occurrences took place in a vehicle?
What are the unique experiences and expressions of transportation as it relates to specific localities?
How is transportation a factor in how we experience class, gender, and time?
What is transportation’s kinship to global economics, underground currency, and geo-politics?
What are the environmental and social impacts of the vehicle production industry?
What are issues related to transportation justice in cities and local municipalities?
Who it’s For
Bakanal de Afrique is open to people of African descent anywhere in the world; Our definition includes multiethnic and multiracial artists with African heritage (applicants identify as Black, of African descent (Afro-Latinx, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Asian, etc.) , and if of mixed ancestry, Afro-ancestry must be prominent.
We will accept submissions across varied disciplines including: Social/Popular/Urban Dance, Music, DJ, Literary, Spoken Word, Fashion, Set Design, Installation Art, Multimedia, Food/Culinary, Creative Direction, Event Design/Production, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, Video/Film, Vlogging, Hair, Makeup, Set Building/Carpentry, Textile, & More.
Get Involved- Artist Call
There are two ways to be involved:
Artwork Submission: Submit pre-existing work to be included as part of a festival (honorarium included)
BdA Fellowship: Apply to be a Bakanal de Afrique Core Artist and receive a $tipend ($1000 to $3500 range TBD) to create work for the festival
Requirements:
Any work submitted will have to be ready to be viewed & experienced online through the world-wide web
Work that includes derogatory and hate towards persons because of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, age, body, presentation will not be considered
Artwork Submission
Artists can submit pre-existing work relating to the theme to be considered and featured as part of our online festival. Each selected artist will receive an honorarium of $300 USD, and will need to attend ~4 info & meet/greet sessions regarding the festival.
BDA FELLOWSHIP
A 6-month creative fellowship from Aug 2020- January 2021 for artists and creatives of African descent, that convenes weekly online, and engages artists in exploration, development, and cultural exchange activities and discussions. Meeting sessions investigate modes of transport in urban cultures and how it intersects with personal, history, culture, class and citizenship.
If invited, you will be part of a group of ~20 artists from various locations who will create work to be presented as part of our online festival in November 2020. Artist Stipend and production support range from $1000-$3500 per artist.
We are looking for artists that are able to commit to the ethos and visions of the festival; who have artistic rigor and quality, intellectual curiosity, strong work ethic, willingness to learn, are truthful and honest yet humble, open to working collaboratively but can also take individual initiative, have strong communication skills; and demonstrate organization, attention to detail, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
The artist must be able to produce a final artistic presentation in digital format for the public, as well as complete an evaluation of their experience. We will only be accepting a limited number of fellows.
ACCESSIBILITY: [BDA FELLOWSHIP
The fellowship will be held online via video conference, and the final works presented in digital/virtual formats. Facilitation will be in English. As an organization we are working to increase accessibility to be more inclusive. Please let us know what you need for this project to be accessible to you.
WHAT YOU GET: [BDA FELLOWSHIP]
$1000-$3500 TBD honorarium upon successful completion of fellowship
Recognition as a part of an integral cohort of dynamic creatives
Connection to an international network of artistic, creative and cultural practitioners
A mini grant towards production of fellowship-related work
Resources towards getting additional funding to produce work
Complimentary or discounted attendance to shows, workshops and other events produced by Afro Urban Society and/or Partner organizations through the duration of the fellowship (dependent on availability)
FELLOWSHIP SCHEDULE/COMMITMENT
We ask that applicants commit to participating fully for the duration of the Fellowship. Online via Video Conferencing (+E-mail, Messaging Platforms)
Festival: November 6-30, 2020
Fellowship Meeting Sessions: Aug 2020- January 2021
1X a week (days TBD) 9:30AM-1:30PM PST
[EST] 12:30PM
[Brazil] 1:30PM
[WAT] 5:30 PM
[CEST] [SAST] 6:30PM
[EAT] 7: 30PM
[HST] 6:30 AM
Interest forms are due no later than July 14, 2020; the festival takes place between 11/6 - 11/30
How to Apply
Complete the ARTIST CALL SUBMISSION FORM
Due Date: July 14, 2020
For more info contact: info@afrourbansociety.com
