Lobang by ArtsEquator is a list of available open calls, job postings and other opportunities open to people from Singapore and Southeast Asia. “Lobang”, a Malay word for “hole”, is used in Singlish as a shorthand for an opportunity, valuable contact or a tip.
[Last updated 30 July 2019]
Open Calls
International Writers’ Workshop: 2020 Writers’-in-Residence Programme
IWW invites applications from interested writers to join the IWW 2020 Writers-in-Residence Programme from 24 February to 23 March 2020. The programme culminates in the 2020 IWW Literary Festival: “Humanities and the Planet.” Applicants are welcome to address how their work connects to the theme, but they are not required to do so.
Deadline of submission: 31 August 2019
Asian Producers’ Platform Camp 2019
The Asian Producers’ Platform (APP)is a performing arts producers network initiated in 2014 designed to create a strong network of Asian producers who can work effectively across the region, share and develop artistic works, professional skills and cultural practices.
The Asian Producers’ Platform (APP) offers participants the opportunity to:
- Research and explore local contexts in Asia
- Develop inter-cultural practices
- Explore producing as a creative practice
Date: 17th to 24th November, 2019
Place: Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Macao
Apply by: 18 August 2019
AfA Fund for The Arts
To further support the ongoing move towards an environment free from stigma and discrimination, Action for AIDS is announcing the launch of the ‘AfA Fund for The Arts’. The Fund intends to award grants of up to S$20,000 per project that have strong focus on ending stigma and discrimination. Selection will be done by a panel appointed by Action for AIDS, Singapore. The AfA Fund for the Arts is the first dedicated fund of its kind to target stigma and discrimination faced by the HIV+ community.
As a pilot exercise, we are looking to fund short films or related media that fulfil the following criteria:
- Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment towards addressing stigma and discrimination faced by PLHIV and/or key affected populations;
- Employ unique, yet accessible, story-telling that will engage a general audience;
- Formatted for potential online distribution, and free of copyrighted material.
Applications are open to all Singaporean Citizens and Permanent Residents.
Deadline: 31 October 2019
COCONET II Southeast Asia Digital Rights Camp: Call for Applications
Coconet is a platform for digital rights movement building in Southeast Asia. From October 20-26, 2019, 100-120 film-makers, researchers, journalists, human rights advocates, and technologists from across Asia will gather in the Philippines for Coconet II, a digital rights camp. Organised by EngageMedia, the Association for Progressive Communications, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance and a host of partners, the camp will break down silos, catalyse regional networking and collaboration, develop skills, deepen relationships, spark campaigns, and bring new actors into the digital rights field.
Our target participants are primarily those from Southeast Asia; however, we also welcome applications from East and South Asia, and Oceania. For travel support, we’ll prioritise applicants from Southeast Asia.
We encourage applications from
- Activists and human rights defenders
- Open source advocates, digital security trainers, and technologists supporting non-profits
- Creative change-makers, including artists, designers, and filmmakers
- Journalists and bloggers
- Policy experts, including lawyers, researchers, and academic
Casting Call – Singapore Bicentennial
Looking for Asian and Caucasian male talents for the Singapore bicentennial showcase titled “From Singapore to Singaporean: The Bicentennial Experience” which is headed by Beatrice Chia-Richmond and Michael Chiang. This particular act is choreographed and directed by Lim Yu-Beng. Talents preferable should have a martial arts (silat and/or other forms) background.
Roles: Sang Nila Utama/Portuguese Fighter; Jakob van Heemskerk; Parameswara/Orang laut
Commitment period:
Rehearsals: 2-7 Sep
Technical rehearsals: 9-14 Sep
Show: 1 Oct-30 Nov (Mon-Sun, 6 days per week, 6 hours daily); 6-31 December (Fri-Sun & 30-31 Dec, 3 days per week, 6 hours daily)
Auditions will be held on 3 Aug, 1400-2200 hrs at Fort Canning Arts Centre
Interested applicants please email juraidahr@gmail.com the following:
- Full name and age
- Contact number
- Recent head shot and full body shot
- CV
- Showreel or links to past projects (if any)
- Preferred time slot
Applicants are advised to set aside 30 minutes for the audition process.
Audition Notice: How Drama
How Drama is holding an open audition for Fat Kids Are Harder To Kidnap. Since 2008, Fat Kids Are Harder To Kidnap has been entertaining audiences with our quirky observations and wacky take on current affairs.
Who are we looking for?
Looking for energetic, versatile actors for school shows and 2020 season.
Please submit your CVs to you@howdrama.com by noon on July 16, 2019. Shortlisted candidates will be called back for auditions on July 23, 2019, from 7pm.
Actors must be available from Aug 19-23, 2019 for rehearsals and a performance.
Roles for actors by The Stage Club
The Stage Club is now calling for actors who are interested in being a part of our latest project: “The Community”, an original skit made in collaboration with the South West Community Development Council! Various roles available.
Performance Date: 25 July 2019
Performance Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Ng Teng Fong Hospital Auditorium
Apply for The Substation’s 2019 Concerned Citizens Programme
How does one define agency? How do social structures and built environments affect gender and class-consciousness? What is the definition of a safe space?
If these hard-hitting questions keep you up at night and you’re concerned with serious social mobility issues faced by the everyday citizen, consider applying for The Substation’s 2019 Concerned Citizens Programme!
Open to practitioners from both arts and non-arts backgrounds, up to five participants selected from an open call process will undergo a programme of lectures by invited guests and close mentoring with selected industry practitioners Kin Chui, Nurul Huda Rashid, and Alvin Tan, to help bring their works-in-progress or proposals to fruition. Selected participants will be awarded with a project grant of $1,800 each and exclusive invitations to lecture series conducted by the industry practitioners.
Deadline: 22 July 2019, 5pm
The Substation’s Sad Bar Open Call
Do you question the rights to public space? Do you care about access, both social and spatial, to the city-state around us? Do these issues matter to you?
To facilitate these pent up passions and thoughts, we are offering a peculiar underground space called the SAD Bar in The Substation for you to unleash this conversation through an event to take place from September to December 2019. The event must be in line with our programme theme of A Public Square.
Whether it is a film screening, a literary reading, or a forum, all you need to do is send us a proposal. An honorarium of $1500 will be given to selected proposals to realise your critical and interrogative event.
Deadline: 31 July 2019, 1159hrs
The Substation’s Rejects Open Call
If you’ve ever submitted a painting for a prize or show and been rejected, WE WANT YOU! If you’ve ever submitted a proposal to an organisation (The Substation included) and been rejected, We want YOU!* Starting with our 大老板 (dàlǎobǎn—big boss in Mandarin), Alan Oei, three-time reject of UOB’s Painting of the Year, who will contribute one work to Rejects, we humbly (and saltily) invite other sufferers to commiserate with us. In the spirit of the Salon, all artworks are to be put up for sale, with 100% of the proceeds going to the artist.
Open Call Submission Deadline: 5 August 2019 (12PM SGT)
EVERYONE will be accepted (in some form) and notified by 8 August 2019.
Community Arts Residency at Republic Polytechnic
An initiative by NAC in collaboration with Republic Polytechnic (RP), this residency will support artists in engaging youth communities through urban arts and/or art x technology. Up to two artists with a practice in any form of urban arts or an interest to work with technology partners, keen on engaging youth communities, will be supported for this Residency.
Residency Period: 19 August – 15 November 2019
Apply by: Monday, 22 July 2019, 1800hrs
Community Arts Residency at Taman Jurong
An initiative by NAC in partnership with Taman Jurong Community Arts and Culture Club (TJCACC), the residency will complement Taman Jurong’s strong and vibrant visual arts presence. Up to two visual artists/collectives, keen on interacting with the residents and community spaces of Taman Jurong, will be supported for this Residency.
Residency Period: 20 September 2019 – 20 January 2020
Apply by: Friday, 26 July 2019, 1800hrs
Community Arts Residency at Indian Heritage Centre
An initiative by NAC in collaboration with the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC), the residency will complement Little India’s cultural vibrancy. One artist/collective with a practice in any art form, keen on working with the cultural heritage and communities of Little India, will be supported for this Residency.
Residency Period: 20 September 2019 – 20 January 2020
Apply by: Friday, 26 July 2019, 1800hrs
Call for applicants: Person-centred Arts Practices With Communities: The Artist Training Program by Community Cultural Development (Singapore)
Artist Training Programme: 31 August – 5 October 2019
This short training programme introduces the concepts and framework of the four dimensions (personal, social, cognitive and cultural) that enable person-centred arts practices to take place with communities. It will also guide participants with methods to craft curriculum, write proposals and evaluations using the person-centred dimensions.
Participants for this programme are expected to commit to 5 lecture discussion sessions held weekly between 26th August and 5th October 2019. The programme concludes with an individual discussion with each participant to facilitate a more personal understanding of how the dimensions can be applied to each individual’s practice.
Fees: $500, NAC grants available
Are you a publisher, retailer or literary arts lover who is passionate in raising the awareness of Singaporean literary titles? Do you want to be a part of Singapore’s biggest literary movement to support local works? We are returning for the fourth edition in 2020 to celebrate and appreciate Singapore stories. If you have wonderful ideas for creative, bold and distinctive programmes to showcase Singapore stories, we invite you to join us as a programme partner. Successful applicants will receive grants for their selected proposals.
#BuySingLit returns next year: 6 – 8 and 13 – 15 March 2020
Deadline: 23 August, 2359 hrs
Submissions open for Jalan Besar Writing Residency Programme
Sing Lit Station is pleased to offer working space to a select number of writers for a six-month-long writers’ residency programme. Our writers-in-residence are invited to conduct workshops, meetings, readings and other events on behalf of Sing Lit Station, with full access to our venue.
Applications open till 31 August 2019.
Krishen Jit Fund 2019 open for applications
The Krishen Jit Fund was created by ASTRO and Five Arts Centre to encourage and support experimental creative work in Malaysia. One of the main objectives of Krishen’s pioneering work was to celebrate original Malaysian art, across a range of disciplines, and in pursuit of innovative modes of expression and intervention.
In 2019, the fund will give out grants ranging from RM1,000 to RM20,000 for:
· Workshops
· Attachments/residencies
· Experimental productions
· Research and documentation
· Writing
· Creating new work in music, dance, theatre, writing, film, visual/performance art
· Others
The Krishen Jit Fund will try to be inclusive, but work sited in Malaysia will be given preference. All arts practitioners in Malaysia are eligible to apply. The fund will be managed by Five Arts Centre.
Application deadline: 15 August 2019
Open Call for new comics anthology
Difference Engine (DE), a new independent comics publisher based in Singapore, is calling for entries for SOUND: A Comics Anthology, an initiative to develop and showcase Southeast Asian writers and illustrators. The guest editors of the anthology are veterans in the Southeast Asian comics industry—writer Budjette Tan who co-created the horror comics series TRESE, and Charis Loke, illustrator and arts-educator.
Submissions close on 31 July 2019.
Submissions open for queer Singaporean literary anthology GASPP 2 (Deadline extended)
GASPP 2: a GLBTQ+ Anthology of Singapore Poetry & Prose is looking for more submissions, including vernacular submissions (e.g. in Chinese, Malay & Tamil Language).
Deadline: 15 August 2019
Submissions open for UOB Painting of the Year
The 38th UOB Painting of the Year (POY) competition is open for submissions from 16 to 18 August 2019. The
competition is open to all Singapore citizens and permanent residents. The Singapore winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in November, together with the winner of the UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year. This prestigious award will go to the country winner with the most outstanding work in the region. In addition, the UOB POY country winners in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand will be considered for a month-long residency programme at the renowned Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan.
Singapore International Film Festival Call for Entries
The 30th SGIFF Call for Entry is now open: we’re inviting entries for Feature and Short Films, Southeast Asian Film Lab and Youth Jury & Critics Programme.
Submission deadline: 19 August 2019, 6pm (GMT +8)
Open call for PERMISI: Open Stage by P7:1SMA
P7:1SMA is proud to host PERMISI, a non-curated open-stage for artists to share with the public and evolve creation processes. PERMISI targets artists of all levels of training and experience. Each run will share approximately four artists with 30 minutes of performance and/or discussion. This will occur bi-monthly at Rumah P7:1SMA, starting on 26 July 2019 and concluding on 27 March 2020.
Deadline for next run: 12 Sept 2019, 2200hrs
Jobs
The Theatre Practice: Communications & Partnerships Executive
We are looking for a Communications & Partnerships Executive to join our team! The Theatre Practice’s (PRACTICE) Development and Communications department advocates the value and importance of Singapore theatre through marketing, communications and relationships building.
Project Transit: Echoes of Waterloo: Creative/Production Positions
Project Transit: Echoes of Waterloo (October 2019) is a project by Veshnu Narayanasamy, in collaboration with Grain Performance & Research Lab and Wong Chee Meng. Project Transit experiments and explores the memories of Waterloo Street with a site-specific performance.
We are looking for both established and emerging theatre practitioners to fill various creative/ production positions:
I. Creative
Multimedia artist/Video editor
Set designer
Lighting designer
Costume designer
Music designer
II. Production
Production manager
Stage manager
Those without experience can take up an internship in all areas for the project.
Ethos Books: Sales Admin & Accounts Receivable Assistant
Are you a whizz with numbers? Can you make magic happen in Excel? Are you familiar with SAGE? Ethos Books is hiring a Sales Admin & Accounts Receivable Assistant! We’re looking for someone to help us ensure that our books get to readers, bookstores and other nooks & crannies!
Sing Lit Station: Station Manager (Finance & Programme Support)
Sing Lit Station (Ltd) is looking for a Station Manager with intermediate experience in financial management, grant compliance and accounting.
Closing date: 16 August 2019, 11.59pm (Interviews take place in the evenings, 20-23 August)
Singapore Tourism Board: Contract Manager, Arts & Cultural Precinct (9-months)
Purpose of job: To support the division’s efforts in developing our cultural precincts into attractive & sustainable enclaves that deliver authentic & differentiated visitor experiences, so as to generate tourism value for Singapore.
The officer will be working closely with the precinct stakeholders and associations in developing initiatives to improve visitor experience as well as bring vibrancy to the precincts such as Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, Katong/Joo Chiat etc. This could include seeding and activating immersive and interactive experiences such as tours and workshops, driving events and also sourcing for suitable product and souvenirs to enable a more engaging and deeper appreciation of our culture and heritage of the precincts.
Closing date: 19 July 2019
Goethe-Institut Myanmar: Manager/Coordinator, Culture Department
The Goethe-Institut Myanmar is looking for a programme coordinator (full-time, 40hrs per week) for the cultural department (start in October 2019 or later). Your tasks include planning, preparation and execution of programme events in all areas (art, theatre, music, literature, films, conferences etc.); preparation and controlling of the technical and organisational handling of events at the Goethe-Institut in Yangon; cultural liaison; budget planning; continuous observation of cultural life in Myanmar (Focus Yangon) and in Germany; supervision of the interns, trainees.
Closing date: 20 July 2019
National Arts Council: Executive/Assistant Manager (Singapore Art Week) (July 2019 to Jan 2020)
Responsibilities: To provide support for Singapore Art Week 2019 operations.
Closing Date: 25 July 2019
National Arts Council: Assistant Manager/Manager (Capability Development)
The Capability Development team oversees policies and programmes which aim to build a skilled arts workforce that will shape Singapore’s cultural development. You will contribute towards the formulation of policies and strategies and implementation of programmes to strengthen the professionalism of the arts sector, focusing primarily on Continuing Education & Training (CET). You will also work on building strong relationships with arts institutions and relevant government agencies that are involved in the training and development of the arts sector.
Closing Date: 11 Aug 2019
National Arts Council: Manager (Strategic Communications)
The Strategic Communications (SC) unit, housed as part of the Policy & Planning department, focuses on aligning NAC’s strategic messaging with the strategic plans of the Council.
Principal Accountabilities:
· Develop, review and reposition official public communications and policy documents
· Evaluate, recommend and manage invitations and speaking engagements of Chairman’s and CEO’s Office
· Provide input to Chairman’s, CEO’s and Political Office Holder’s speeches, public engagements and assessment of Political Office Holder’s invitations
· To support the Policy & Planning team’s efforts when required
· To support the Communications & Marketing team in crisis comms management and issues forecast
· Any other duties as assigned
Closing Date: 11 Aug 2019
West Kowloon Cultural District: Assistant Producer
The West Kowloon Cultural District is looking for Assistant Producers, Performing Arts (Theatre)
Deadline: 21 July 2019
National Gallery Singapore: Manager/Assistant Manager, Film Programmes
In this full-time role, working under the direction of the Film Programmes Team Lead, the candidate will be responsible for co-creating and executing film programmes in conjunction with the Gallery’s exhibitions and festivals, and planning corresponding outreach campaigns to develop audiences from schools, interest groups and corporates.
The candidate will be part of a team that develops, implements and oversees the Gallery’s film programmes and partnerships in collaborations identified within the Gallery’s partnership network.
National Gallery Singapore: Assistant Manager, Digital Ecosystem
In this role, the candidate will join a dynamic team of marketing and communications professionals responsible for continually growing the awareness, preference and visitorship for National Gallery Singapore within Singapore and internationally. The position plays an important role in the management of the Gallery’s social media presence, activity and community engagement. The job scope includes driving the social media strategy, influencer relations and online community engagement, with an emphasis on managing two-way communication relationships with the Gallery’s social media community, key influencers and online community.
SAtheCollective: Project Assistant (Film/Arts/Music)
Responsibilities include planning publicity, producing educational short videos, production and logistics duties (local and international) and operational duties.
Hatch Art Project: Art Gallery Manager
Located at Marina Bay, Hatch Art Project runs exhibitions and programmes promoting new and diverse art by young and exciting artists from Singapore and the region since our launch in June 2018. The gallery makes an effort to showcase futuristic content and programmes exploring trends in this digital era.
The Assistant Gallery Manager will work closely with the Director and line-manage key members of the gallery’s small team (comprising P/T Artist Manager, P/T Sales & Collections Manager). He/she will be responsible for exhibition management and administration, fundraising and strategic management and partnerships.
ANDSOFORTH JUNIOR: Stage Manager (Full-time)
ANDSOFORTH JUNIOR (ASF Jr.) is an immersive theatre company for young audiences, bringing stories to life with the help of actors, music, lighting, and stage design. ASF Jr. aims to create a sense of discovery and imagination to spark creativity and development in young minds.
Responsibilities:
· Create production roster
· Assist with auditions as required by director
· Prepare all the necessities for the parties
· Report any faults or damages found on equipment, facility or fittings within facility ground
· Able to work under pressure
· Assist in paperwork
ITI: Senior Marketing Executive / Marketing Executive
Intercultural Theatre Institute (ITI) is looking for a creative and driven marketing professional with a strong passion for theatre and the arts. You would be someone who would love to work in a plural and dynamic environment while helping us to take our school to the next level.
Responsibilities:
· Plan and execute publicity campaigns for branding, student recruitment and events
· Assist in producing and designing marketing collaterals
· Produce and upkeep content for ITI’s own digital resources
· Track online analytics, report results and pitch new ideas to the team
· Assist with the planning and managing of events
· Assist in building partnerships and donor relationships
The Esplanade: Project Assistant – Programming
We are looking for a project assistant who will be responsible for assisting the Programming and Marketing teams for Esplanade Presents programmes and festivals. This is a 1-year full time contract position. You will have a varied role including planning and execution of programmes, events, special projects, marketing, administration and logistics.
The Esplanade: Marketing Specialist (Contract)
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay aims to be the pride of Singapore, our vision is to be a performing arts centre for everyone, to be internationally recognised for our creativity and sense of adventure as well as be known for our exceptional standards of service. The Marketing Specialist will assist in forming paid media strategies and framework and develop digital marketing capabilities to maximise publicity and revenue for the arts centre.
Others
Centre 42’s Late-Night Texting: Call for volunteers
Volunteers needed for Late-Night Texting! Our annual showcase of new writing by emerging theatre-makers returns for the fourth year running. This year’s edition features 25 performances by 55 creators and artists over 2 nights. Volunteers will get to meet new people and find out what happens behind the scenes.
We’re looking for:
USHERS – direct audiences to performance spaces and keep track of the number of attendees.
DOCUMENTERS – capture photos and videos of the event for documentation purposes.
ARTIST LIAISONS – assist our performers so performances can run smoothly. You will need to: Attend a two-hour volunteer briefing on either 21 or 23 August. Time to be confirmed. Report at 4PM on 30 and 31 August to help with event preparation and be on duty until the event ends at midnight.
Sign up by 31 July 2019, 11.59pm.
Talking Statues is looking for a producer partner in Singapore
We are looking for a producer partner in Singapore to produce a project called Talking Statues. The basic idea of the project is to bring statues to life with modern mobile technology. We have already produced a dummy in Singapore. We are looking for someone who is situated in the city and maybe has experience producing Public Art Projects.
Wild Rice: Call for Front-of-House Volunteers
WILD RICE will be receiving our first audiences to our brand new theatre in Funan – and you can be part of this history in the making! Join us as our Front-of-House volunteers from 8-18 August 2019 as we warm up the house with the award-winning “Supervision” (written by Thomas Lim, directed by Glen Goei).
Info
The Community Theatre: Call for volunteers
The Community Theatre are looking for volunteers their upcoming production The Block Party, happening from 1-3 August! They are particularly looking for experienced hairstylists and make-up artists, and front-of-house volunteers. You will not have to attend all days and you may be required to attend some full-dress rehearsals before the actual show.
Fundraising Dinner for Five Arts Centre
Five Arts Centre is a non-profit organisation; all profits generated from the company’s activities are channeled towards operational costs and the production of new work. Five Arts Centre (FAC) has a space in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL, which not only houses our office and staff, but more importantly, is an accessible rehearsal and performance space called KOTAK. Specifically, we need funds to pay for full time staff and the rent of this double storey shop-house that houses our office and KOTAK. FAC needs RM100,000 per year.
FAC is organising a sumptuous buffet dinner and a performance by David Gomes.
Date: Thursday 1 August 2019
Time: 7.30 pm
Venue: Bobo KL, Jalan Bangkung, Taman Bandaraya, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Entry Fee: A minimum donation of RM600 per head
E-mail fiveartscentre@gmail.com for more info.
Submissions for Golden Point Award 2019
The Golden Point Award is Singapore’s premier creative writing competition for Short Story and Poetry in the nation’s four official languages: English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Established by the National Arts Council since 1993, the national literary writing competition is a significant platform for discovering new writers whose works exhibit literary merit and encouraging literary expression in Singapore. There is no age limit to enter the competition and entries may be written on any subject and theme.
The submission portal will be available for access from 1 to 31 July 2019.
Open Calls and Job Opportunities (Singapore/SEA) is presented by ArtsEquator.
Note: All information is correct at the time of publication. Please confirm directly with the organisers’ websites. ArtsEquator shall have no liability for the accuracy of the information and cannot be held liable for any third-party claims or losses of any damages.
If you have an open call or a job opportunity you’d like us to highlight, please email contact[at]artsequator.com.
About the author(s)
Kathy Rowland is the Managing Editor of ArtsEquator.com, a registered charity that she co-founded with Jenny Daneels in 2016. The site is dedicated to supporting and promoting arts criticism with a regional perspective in Southeast Asia. Kathy has worked in the arts for over 25 years, working in the areas of critical writing and arts advocacy, with a special interest in media platforms for the arts. She is the Project Lead for ArtsEquator’s Southeast Asian Arts and Culture Censorship Documentation Project, launched in 2021. She has written extensively on censorship of arts and culture in Malaysia. She was a member of the International Programme Advisory Committee of the 8th World Summit on Arts and Culture, 2019.