OPEN CALL: Southeast Asian Arts Censorship Documentation

<Deadline extended to 15 October 2021>

ArtsEquator invites applications for the position of Researcher for a regional arts censorship documentation and publication project it is piloting. The programme runs from Jan 2022 – Dec 2023.

There are six positions available, one each based in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam respectively.  Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

The selected researchers will conduct research and document baseline information about incidents of arts and culture censorship in their home country. Each will also work closely with our Editorial team to create up to 4 content on arts censorship, which will be published on ArtsEquator.com. The content may be in the form of written articles, infographics, podcasts, or short videos.

The project is organised by ArtsEquator Ltd. (Singapore) in partnership with Five Arts Centre Malaysia and funded by the Swedish Arts Council.

Apply by: 15 October 2021

Objectives

The programme is designed to develop the following : 

– A method and framework to document arts and culture censorship in Southeast Asia

– A baseline archive of arts and culture censorship cases in SEA

– To raise public interest in freedom of expression in the arts, with the long-term goal of developing publics that advocate and lobby for artists rights to free expression 

– To build research and arts writing capabilities in a new generation of Southeast Asian researchers. 

– A regional network of researchers with knowledge and capacities to archive and write about and advocate against arts censorship

Outputs/ commitments from each researcher and provisional timeline:  

Feb/March 2022:

– Participate in a 2-day online workshop to co-design the research framework and methodology for the project.

May 2022 – October 2022:

– Conduct research and document cases of arts and culture censorship that have occurred over a 20-year period (2000 – 2020) in your home country, into a shared, private-access database. Information input into the database must be written in English. 

July 2022:

– Begin to write or produce up to 4 pieces of content that touch on arts censorship, which will be published on ArtsEquator.com. 

– Researchers will be expected to produce one piece of content every 3 months (i.e produce 4 content between July 2022 – June 2023). 

– The content may be in the form of written, interviews, essays, oral history recordings, infographics, podcasts, or short videos.

– Researchers will receive mentoring and editorial support from ArtsEquator’s editorial team to develop capacities in content creation through this element of the project.

– Researchers have the option of creating content in their home country language if they wish.

November 2022:

– Create a contact list of at least 10 NGOs/Civil society/Arts groups in your home country engaged in supporting Freedom of Expression. 

Each Researcher will also be expected to actively participate in six Zoom discussion/study groups with fellow researchers to share learnings, build networks and engage in peer-led discussions on issues related to arts censorship, content creation and arts advocacy. There will be six such peer sharing meetings, held every other month, from Jan 2022 – Feb 2023. 

Selection Criteria

– Be a resident of one of the targeted six countries 

– Have research experience in the field of the humanities

– Strong English-language skills (written and spoken) and fluency in at least one local language of your country of residence 

– Proven writing and/or content creation skills (articles/essays, podcasts, illustrations, video content) in English or any Southeast Asian language 

– Ability to work independently and keep to assigned deadlines 

– Networks in arts and civil society communities 

– A legal background will be an advantage 

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 30 SEP 2021.

This is a paid position. To apply, fill in this form here.