ArtsEquator Lobang 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.
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Info & Resources | Open Calls | Jobs
Info & Resources
Note: Info on reliefs, grants and packages by the Singapore government can be found here.
[Singapore] Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS)
The government has announced a relief scheme for self-employed persons, including arts freelancers. Applications and appeals are managed by NTUC, and will be made online on 20 April 2020.
[Singapore] Sing Lit Station HALP Fund
The HALP Fund is a discretionary fund used by Sing Lit Station to support literary arts practitioners in the creation and presentation of their work in any form. It also aims to provide subsistence funds during tough times. The maximum quantum will be $500 per application. Applications will be held year-round until 31 March 2021 or until funds are fully disbursed, whichever comes first.
[Singapore] SAMPP COVID-19 Relief Fund
Singapore Association of Motion Picture Professionals are offering grants for filmmakers and others in the film industry.
[Singapore] Free legal clinics for arts practitioners
[Singapore] Resources aggregated by Singapore Drama Educators Association
[Singapore] SkillsFuture Top-Up
Adult Singaporeans aged 25 and above will receive a one-off $500 SkillsFuture Credit top-up. Eligible individuals can start using the additional credit from 1 October 2020. Singaporeans aged 40 to 60 will receive a special $500 SkillsFuture Credit top-up. This will be over and above the $500 SkillsFuture Credit top-up for Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above. Eligible individuals can start using the SkillsFuture Credit provided under this package from 1 October 2020, on about 200 career transition programmes offered by the Continuing Education and Training (CET) Centres.
[Singapore] Self-Employed Persons Training Support Scheme
All Self-Employed Persons will be entitled to between $7.50-$11 an hour of training allowance for SkillsFuture series courses and selected sector-specific training programmes. This will be administered by NTUC.
More info can be found here.
[Singapore] Singapore Unbound Relief Fund (SURF)
Singapore Unbound has decided to postpone this year’s writing fellowships to Southeast Asia and to commit the funds instead to aid Singaporean writers badly affected by the shutdowns. Creative writers, whether they are Singapore citizens living anywhere in the world or Permanent Residents of Singapore, may apply for a USD200/SGD280 grant from the Singapore Unbound Relief Fund with no strings attached. This fund is specifically intended to help those in dire need of immediate help. Donations to this fund are also welcome.
Open for application now.
[Singapore] SG COVID-19 Creative/Cultural Professionals & Freelancers Support Group
A Facebook support group sharing tips, resources and information for creative and cultural workers.
[Singapore] ArtsComm
Online forum and Facebook Group for members of the arts community in Singapore.
COVID-19 and Freelance Artists
An aggregated list of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines worldwide.
Open Calls
Sing Lit Station: Writer-in-residence
Sing Lit Station is pleased to offer working space to a select number of writers for a six-month-long writers’ residency programme. 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. They are looking to support 2 Singapore-based writers with time, space and a budget of SGD$1,250 to further empower and enable their creative processes and ongoing text-based projects.
Deadline: 9 October 2020
Call for applications: The Wright Stuff Festival 2021 by TOY Factory Productions
The Wright Stuff is a playwright incubation-mentorship programme that aims to stage 3 new plays, by 3 new playwrights under the mentorship of Toy Factory Productions Ltd Chief Artistic Director, Goh Boon Teck. This season, The Wright Stuff Festival focuses on the theme: “Inwards.” Submitted scripts/work-in-progress should relatively demonstrate the stories of self-
reflection, community and/or humanity.
Deadline: 24 September 2020, 5pm (Singapore time)
Open Call: Arts Encounters 2021/2022
Art Outreach Singapore is looking for creative proposals for its #ArtEncountersSG programme, a mobile artist’s studio and gallery housed in repurposed shipping containers that was launched during Singapore Art Week 2020. It’s looking for 4 artists each year with exciting ideas for a site-specific installation to activate two 20ft shipping containers. Art Outreach will cover all material, production and installation costs, and an artist fee.
Deadline: 25 September 2020
Call for entries: Singapore at Home: Life across Lines
Singapore at Home: Life across Lines calls for an urgent reflection on everyday life in the island-state, on the pleasures and frustrations that the word “home” embodies.
The editors are looking for short stories (between 2,000-3,000 words) by writers above 21 years of age (no poetry, no non- fiction). Email anthologypni@gmail.com for enquiries and submissions. Publication of the anthology is anticipated in early 2021.
Deadline: 30 September 2020
Saving Spaces Open Call for anecdotes on arts spaces
Everyone has their own special relationship to the various arts spaces in Singapore. Whether a space gave you the platform you needed to explore your artistic potential or simply the backdrop of a solid first date, we can all agree that its physical presence left a lasting impact on ourselves and our community. Through this open call, we would like to know how any of these, or other lost or endangered arts spaces have been meaningful to you. We hope it is of some comfort that, in the absence of these physical spaces, your responses will dwell in this small, collective digital space.
Saving Spaces is looking for people who are interested in (1) submitting personal anecdotes and stories about these art spaces and/or (2) creative responses to these arts spaces in any artistic medium (i.e. text-based, image-based, etc).
Submission Instructions:
You can send your responses to our email at savingspaces2020@gmail.com. Please send your submissions as Open Call_Name.
Deadline: 1 October 2020
Women Photograph Mentorship Program
Women Photograph is accepting applications for their 2021 Mentorship Program, which will pair 24 industry leaders (12 photographers and 12 photo editors, curators, and educators) with 24 early-career photojournalists over the course of a year. Mentors include editors & photographers from The New York Times, The Guardian, the Associated Press, and Apple, among others.
They are currently seeking applications from women and non-binary photographers with less than five years of professional work experience who might be interested in long-term support. For any questions, please contact hello@womenphotograph.com.
The mentorship program will take place remotely over the course of one year, and requires 3-5 hours of engagement per month. No travel or financial commitment is required to participate. The photographers who stand to benefit most from this program are already at the beginning of a documentary/photojournalistic practice and looking for targeted guidance and mentoring in the early stages of their career.
Deadline: 1 October 2020, 11:59pm ET
ISPA Singapore Fellowship 2021-2023
The International Society for the Performing Arts’ (ISPA) Singapore Fellowship Program provides up to three-year access to ISPA’s extensive international network of arts professionals to three mid-career leaders from Singapore’s performing arts community. Participants join the ISPA membership and attend the Virtual Edition: 2021 ISPA Congress (January 2021), Reykjavik 2021 ISPA Congress, and both the New York 2022 and 2023 ISPA Congresses where they engage in the development and exchange of ideas with leaders from some of
the world’s most significant presenting organizations, performing arts organizations, artist management
agencies, cultural policy groups, foundations, festivals and related professionals.
Performing arts professionals who are deeply committed to increasing the global connectivity of the performing arts industry, as well as those who take initiative in their own professional development, are most likely to benefit. In considering applying, please be aware that the ISPA Congress is not a traditional arts market and opportunities for self-promotion are limited.
Deadline: 2 October 2020, 5pm (EDT)
Open Call: IMPART Awards 2021
The IMPART Awards is an art prize that aims to support the professional development of emerging talent in visual arts in Singapore by providing impactful career building opportunities. In this fourth edition, the prize will award three winners (in the artist or curator category). Each winner will receive a cash award and an international exchange with visits to renowned art institutions, providing valuable exposure to leading practitioners. 3 visual art talents will each win a SGD 20,000 prize.
Deadline: 16 October 2020
Call for Entries: Poetry anthology on pain
Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé and Eric Tinsay Valles are looking for poems for a new anthology, Atelier of Healing: Poetry About Trauma and Recovery.
Deadline: 2 October 2020
Arts in Your Neighbourhood Open Call for 2021/2022 programmes
Arts in Your Neighbourhood is going to Pasir Ris, Serangoon and Choa Chu Kang in 2021/2022! The National Arts Council is inviting proposals from artists, creative producers, intermediaries, arts groups/organisations and curators to present arts experiences for the upcoming AYN seasons in March 2021, November 2021 and March 2022. Applicants may submit proposals for neighbourhood-centric/general programmes, or the neighbourhood art trail.
Deadline: 4 October 2020, 2359 hrs (Sg time)
Open Call for Theatre Arts Conference 2021
SDEA invites proposal applications responding to the theme of Creative Disruption: Exploring New Ground for its next edition of the Theatre Arts Conference.
The SDEA Theatre Arts Conference 2021 will be conducted digitally. It will take place from Saturday 22 May 2021 to Sunday 30 May 2021.
Deadline: 4 October 2020, 11.59pm (Sg time)
Kalaa Utsavam 2020 Dance Stage LIVE – Open Call for Dancers
Calling all Indian classical dancers aged 15 to 25! Here’s your chance to shine and set your talent in motion at Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2020.
Simply submit a video of yourself performing a solo or a duet based on any Indian classical dance form by 9 October 2020. Selected participants will get a chance to heat up the stage in a 15-minute performance at Kalaa Utsavam Dance Stage LIVE.
Part of the line-up for this year’s festival, this programme aims to identify and develop Singapore’s youth talent in bharatanatyam, kathak and odissi. All performers will receive an honorarium for their participation.
Deadline: 9 Oct 2020, 11:59pm (Sg time)
Open Call: 39th UOB Painting of the Year (SG/ID/MY/TH)
Inaugurated in 1982, the annual art competition is the longest-running in Singapore and one of the most recognised in Southeast Asia. Held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, the competition aims to uncover the next generation of great Southeast Asian artists, and contribute to greater awareness and appreciation of art.
Theme: Solidarity
Deadline: 11 October 2020
Open Call: IMPART Awards 2021
The IMPART Awards is an art prize that aims to support the professional development of emerging talent in visual arts in Singapore by providing impactful career building opportunities. In this fourth edition, the prize will award three winners (in the artist or curator category). Each winner will receive a cash award and an international exchange with visits to renowned art institutions, providing valuable exposure to leading practitioners. 3 visual art talents will each win a SGD 20,000 prize.
Deadline: 16 October 2020
LASALLE: SEAsia Scholars Award
The SEAsia Scholars Award is open to new MA Asian Arts Histories and MA Arts and Cultural Leadership students pursuing full-time postgraduate studies at LASALLE.
Eligibility
– Applicants from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
– Applicants from MA Asian Art Histories and MA Arts and Cultural Leadership who have been offered a place for January 2021 intake.
– Non-recipients of any scholarships/bursaries/financial aid awarded by external organisations or LASALLE.
Application is now open from 14 September – 23 October 2020 for new students.
Applications for AUSSICHT fund
AUSSICHT (German for outlook, view, prospect, vista) is a new support fund by the Goethe-Institut Singapore. The fund is open to Singapore-based artists and practitioners. It aims to give support to those who value artistic innovation and experimentation with limited funding or limited access to funds. We welcome any practice which adds to the diversity of the Singapore art scene. Applications with an interest in projects demonstrating potential for inter- and transnational collaboration are preferred.
The awarded funds can be utilised for the applicants’ own independent artistic practice, for its further development or for a new creation, for research, critical and discursive cultural activities or process-based initiatives which foster intercultural dialogue and collaboration.
For each successful application, a funding of S$1,000 (min) to S$8,000 (max) will be awarded.
Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis till November 2020.
Open Call: Tentacles 2020 Artist in Residence [Thailand]
Bangkok-based art space Tentacles is looking for artists, designers, researchers and creators of all disciplines to apply for its AIR programme. This programme is for creators who aim to develop new body of works, conduct research or experiment and focus on their practice.
Duration: 2 – 3 months
No. of Artists: 1-3
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Tentacles is a self-sustaining, official non-profit organisation which is not able to offer free or sponsored residencies. Residency fees for fully funded or grant receiver is THB 32,000 (~USD960).
Call for pitches: so-far Issue 4: Platforms
so-far is a platform for both emerging and established writers which publishes long-form writing, deep dialogues, or experimental formats from letter-writing, speculative fiction, creative non-fiction, ekphrastic poetry, and more. It is calling for pitches for its next issue now.
Call for content
National Youth Council and Creative Nation Singapore are looking for content creators for a new content channel to develop opportunities and jobs during and post circuit breaker. Payment will be between SGD100-150 for content between 10 to 35 minutes long.
Call for Submissions: The Tiger Moth Review
The Tiger Moth Review, a new and independent eco-conscious journal from Singapore, is calling for submissions of poetry, prose, art and photography that emphasises the connections between “human activity and the environment that produces it”, work that displays an “awareness of ecology and concerns over environmental disaster” (“Ecopoetics”, Poetry Foundation).
They are looking for work that is eco-conscious and critical, work that celebrates the beauty/ bounty of nature, work that is cognisant, curious and contemplative of the relationships between humanity, modernity, cultures and the environments in which we live in or imagine ourselves to inhabit.
Submissions for Issue 5 (Jan 20201) now open.
Jobs
The Arts House: Manager, Strategy & Planning
Responsibilities include:
– Draw up frameworks, roadmaps, narratives, recommendations and budget proposals for AHL’s key focus areas and other workstreams, that will serve as an articulation of AHL’s proposal to seek endorsement and/or funding support from Board, National Arts Council (NAC) or other agencies
– Initiate, organise and facilitate meetings, as well as brainstorming, visioning and discussion platforms with AHL departments and relevant agencies, to arrive at AHL’s proposed position and communicate AHL’s position
– Prepare and undertake procurement to facilitate Strategy and Planning projects, ensuring proper governance is adhered to and AHL’s needs are taken care of
NUS Centre for the Arts: Assistant/Associate Director (Marketing Communications)
Job Purpose
– Strategise and implement an innovative, integrated communication and marketing plan that will strengthen CFA’s brand, profile its component units; the NUS Museum, Baba House, UCC, Talent Development unit and programming such as the NUS Arts Fest and ExxonMobil Campus Concert series. This is to boost engagement with students, connect with arts practitioners for collaborations which will create more learning opportunities for our students.
– Oversee the creation, design and execution of all collaterals, social and online platforms and coordinate outreach strategies to ensure clarity and consistency in branding and positioning. Besides engagement, this will help nurture an arts community on-campus where our students could find more opportunities for interaction with the arts and each other.
– Support the promotion of the arts on campus and recruitment of students to the CFA groups.
NUS Centre for the Arts: Curator (Asian, Chinese or Southeast Asian Art)
Duties and responsibilities include:
– Participate in acquisition and valuation processes as curator in-charge of the objects.
– Systematic cataloguing of the collection into the Museum’s database according to museum conventions.
– Develop research and archival materials pertinent to the collection
– Conceptualise and mount exhibitions as assigned, incorporating academic resources, working collaboratively where assigned, and working with other museum staff including admin, collections management, programmes, and marketing.
NTU CCA: Assistant Director, Research & Academic Programmes
NTU Centre for Contemporary Art is looking for someone to focus on research management and grant management.
Raw Moves: Assistant Manager
Raw Moves is looking for someone to enhance Administrative support of RAW Moves and to work with the
Company Manager and Artistic Director to develop, implement and evaluate programmes for the company.
Requirements:
– Minimum degree in the relevant industry i.e Arts Management/Business Administration/Technical & Production Management
– At least 2 years experience in the relevant field
– Strong verbal and written communication skills
– Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office
– Good interpersonal skills and an interest in the Arts will be an advantage
Raw Moves: Marketing & Communications Executive (Part-time)
Raw Moves is looking for someone to publicise and promote RAW Moves’ performance platforms and
programmes so as to increase awareness and visibility of RAW Moves.
Requirements:
– Minimum diploma in Marketing & Communications, Arts Management and/or at least 2 years experience in the relevant field
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong knowledge of computer software eg Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Premier Pro
• Good interpersonal skills and a interest in the Arts will be an advantage
• Fresh Graduates are welcome to apply
To apply, email your current curriculum vitae and recent photo to rawmoves.manager@gmail.com. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Singapore Art Museum: Curator (Media & Technology)
Responsibilities include:
– Research and contribute to scholarship on present-day contemporary art globally, with a focus on practices in Singapore, Southeast Asia and Asia.
– Develop areas of research specialisation – in particular, on media and technology in art – to support institutional policies and goals on exhibition programming, collection development and publications.
– Curate exhibitions and artwork commissions, develop collaborative and cross-disciplinary projects.
– Undertake and develop exhibitions and projects including conceptualisation, negotiations with external institutions and artists, and co-ordination of general exhibition matters.
– Demonstrate thought leadership in the field through sharing of knowledge at conferences, talks and publications.
National Gallery Singapore: Manager (Integrated Marketing)
Responsibilities include:
– Develop and execute integrated marketing campaigns for changing exhibitions, programmes and key events through storytelling and content marketing across multi-channel platforms (both offline and online) to achieve brand awareness and visitorship targets for the Gallery, both locally and internationally.
– Develop campaigns with focus on digital and social media engagement with the target audience.
– Manage marketing and communications collaterals – both print and digital, content for key campaigns on websites, audio/visual production and environmental branding.
– Develop and execute media events such as press conferences and familiarisation tours. This includes the development of press releases and media advisories, as well as the crafting of story angles for different types of media.
More vacancies in the link below.
National Arts Council: #SGUnited Assistant Manager/ Manager/ Senior Manager (Sector Development) (2 years contract)
With the Covid-19 pandemic, NAC has rolled out schemes to provide support and opportunities for our arts organisations and artists, and help them develop longer-term capabilities to deal with the situation arising from Covid-19. Examples include the Digital Presentation Grant and the Capability Development Scheme for the Arts.
For this role, you will be involved in grants administration and the implementation of strategies and initiatives to address challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. Given that our stakeholders are new to the digitalisation process, the role also includes stakeholder engagement and exploring capability development efforts.
Applications close: 22 Sep 2020
Heritage Conservation Centre: Chief Conservator/ Deputy Director (Conservation Services)
The HCC is looking for an experienced candidate with strong managerial, leadership and communication skills to lead the centre’s Conservation Services Department. Reporting to the Director of HCC, you should have a significant record of professional accomplishments which would include publications and research. Bringing vision, expertise and energy, you shall anticipate HCC’s future needs and design effective systems for meeting these needs with regard to conservation and care of the National Collection.
Applications close: 25 Sep 2020
National Library Board: Manager/ Senior Manager (Outreach)
You will be part of the team to lead the development of National Library (NL) and National Archives programmes and outreach strategy; promotion of physical and digital collections and services of NL and NAS; and building connections with the general public and targeted audience. You will also be tasked to increase the awareness and participation of the audiences and spearhead partnership development and engagement with internal and external stakeholders, notwithstanding other projects and supervisory roles.
Applications close: 25 Sep 2020
Checkpoint Theatre: Digital Marketing and Communications Executive
Checkpoint Theatre is looking to hire a Digital Marketing and Communications Executive under the SGUnited Traineeship Programme / SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme. They are searching for someone who wants to build a career in arts administration and is passionate about promoting original Singapore stories.
The trainee will be working closely with the head of Marketing and Communications to conceptualise and execute marketing campaigns online to promote the company’s productions, publications and brand. The trainee will also support content management of all social media accounts including the design and creation of any marketing material suitable across various media platforms.
Applications close: 28 Sep 2020
Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth: #SGUnited Senior Manager/ Manager (Knowledge Management), Capability Development (Contract position of up to 12 months)
You will develop specialist knowledge of and monitor trends and developments in the arts and heritage sector, including adjustments required as a result of COVID-19. You will work closely with related divisions within MCCY, Key Statutory Boards such as the National Heritage Board and National Arts Council, as well as cultural institutions. You will be spear-heading the COVID-19 documentation project, to track and analyse the developments for the arts and culture sector locally and internationally due to the impact of COVID-19. You will be responsible for putting together a case study and/or publication on the findings, that can be circulated to policy makers locally and internationally to share learning points and best practices.
Applications close: 29 Sep 2020
National Arts Council: Manager, Education & Development (Education)
Key areas of responsibility include:
– Develop policies and frameworks for the professionalisation of the arts sector, as well as programmes that develop the capabilities of Arts Instructors, Teaching Artists and Educators.
– Support research initiatives across the department, including designing and planning for the collection and management of robust data and impact measurement of schemes/programmes using technology.
– Design and implement schemes/programmes which complement the formal arts education curriculum in schools. Some examples include increasing exposure to Singapore artists through the art and music curricula, engaging in/at-risk youth and children with special needs through the arts, and facilitating cross-cultural understanding through the infusion of the arts in National Education/Character and Citizenship Education.
– Work in close collaboration with key partners and stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education, arts and culture institutions (e.g. The Esplanade, National Gallery Singapore) and artists to execute the above.
Applications close: 2 Oct 2020
Sing Lit Station Traineeships: Fundraising & Corporate Partnerships Executive / Programmes & Community Development Executive / Digital Marketing Executive
Sing Lit Station is offering three 9-month traineeships as part of #SGUnitedTraineeships.
With SGUnited Traineeships, new and recent graduates can join approved host companies to develop skills professionally and receive a training allowance.
Applications close: 5 Oct 2020
Republic Polytechnic: School of Technology for the Arts – Lecturer (Sonic Arts)
Responsibilities include:
– Develop and teach modules related to Sound Design & Foley Arts, Game Audio Programming, ‘Live’ Sound for Events or Theatre, Instrument Design, Audio Post-Production, Location Sound Recording, Music Production, Music Theory
– Attend lesson briefings as required by your subject/module manager
– Supervise students in portfolio development, final year projects and internship
Applications close: 8 Oct 2020
SOTA: Teacher, Faculty of Visual Arts
Responsibilities include:
– Development and delivery of curriculum to a range of visual arts classes of different levels and technical proficiencies. The curriculum includes both studio practice and theory and history of art.
– Monitoring and evaluation of student progress, including providing useful and timely feedback to students and other stakeholders.
– Preparation and conduct of assessment of student learning
More roles available in the link below.
SOTA: Subject Head, Faculty of Visual Arts
The Subject Head of the Visual Arts faculty plays an important role in providing quality and rigorous art education by working closely with the Head in leading and developing the faculty towards nurturing students’ abilities in seeing and creating meaningful connections through a diversity of artistic processes and expressions.
Responsibilities include:
– Development and delivery of curriculum to a range of visual arts classes of different levels and technical proficiencies. The curriculum includes both studio practice and theory and history of art.
– Monitoring and evaluation of student progress, including providing useful and timely feedback to students and other stakeholders.
– Preparation and conduct of assessment of student learning.
ArtsEquator Lobang: 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.
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About the author(s)
Nabilah Said is an award-winning playwright, editor and cultural commentator. She is also an artist who works with text across various artforms and formats. Her plays have been staged in Singapore and London, including ANGKAT, which won Best Original Script at the 2020 Life Theatre Awards. Nabilah is the former editor of ArtsEquator.