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"The arts, it has been said, cannot change the world, but they may change human being that might change the world." —Maxine Greene
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Project EMPOW[HER]
Project EMPOW[HER] is a programme by ArtSparks Foundation to further the vision of the organization: ensure a future where all children have access to enriching learning opportunities that unlock their minds, engage their hearts, and ignite creative confidence.
The fellowship programme aims to connect socially-minded Visual Artists & Designers to adolescent girls from underserved communities, and through their active engagement, enable and empower the girls to critically reflect and respond to their environments and lives through the co-creation of transformative art and design-based projects.
Why Adolescent Girls?
In India, adolescent girls (11-16) from underserved communities are significantly more vulnerable than their male counterparts. They often face numerous challenges that can restrict their reaching their full potential—gender-based discrimination and bias; disruptions in her education; limited future opportunities. “Rather than learning about how they can make a difference in the world, many girls’ voices are silenced (United Nations Foundation).” And schools often do not have special provisions to empower these girls. Girls however “deserve to participate in their communities, advocate for their rights, and be role models for other girls (United Nations Foundation).” Research shows that if adolescent girls are empowered, they “have the ability to bring unprecedented social and economic change to their families and communities (Dasra, 2010).”
Why Visual Art & Design?
Art & design can change the way people see their world, open them up to new ideas, and connect them with others. Art and design have the ability to inspire dialogue and catalyze positive social change. Engagements with community-based art and design projects can foster empowerment through individual reflection, identity formation, as well as group cohesion and a sense of community. When artists and designers have the opportunity to contribute their unique skills, they can serve as a powerful force to further the well-being of others.
Why Become a Project EMPOW[HER] Fellow?
Project EMPOW[HER] fellows will gain access to:
Click Here to Apply: https://goo.gl/forms/BHK0Qa5CnGMR0SOg2
Application Closes: Friday, June 22, 2018
The fellowship programme aims to connect socially-minded Visual Artists & Designers to adolescent girls from underserved communities, and through their active engagement, enable and empower the girls to critically reflect and respond to their environments and lives through the co-creation of transformative art and design-based projects.
Why Adolescent Girls?
In India, adolescent girls (11-16) from underserved communities are significantly more vulnerable than their male counterparts. They often face numerous challenges that can restrict their reaching their full potential—gender-based discrimination and bias; disruptions in her education; limited future opportunities. “Rather than learning about how they can make a difference in the world, many girls’ voices are silenced (United Nations Foundation).” And schools often do not have special provisions to empower these girls. Girls however “deserve to participate in their communities, advocate for their rights, and be role models for other girls (United Nations Foundation).” Research shows that if adolescent girls are empowered, they “have the ability to bring unprecedented social and economic change to their families and communities (Dasra, 2010).”
Why Visual Art & Design?
Art & design can change the way people see their world, open them up to new ideas, and connect them with others. Art and design have the ability to inspire dialogue and catalyze positive social change. Engagements with community-based art and design projects can foster empowerment through individual reflection, identity formation, as well as group cohesion and a sense of community. When artists and designers have the opportunity to contribute their unique skills, they can serve as a powerful force to further the well-being of others.
Why Become a Project EMPOW[HER] Fellow?
Project EMPOW[HER] fellows will gain access to:
- A platform to explore and develop their creative practice as socially-engaged artists/designers
- An opportunity to immerse themselves into education and gender-related issues at the grassroots level
- An opportunity to impact a group of adolescent girls, through art & design, helping them build creative confidence, develop valuable learning and life skills, and spark action towards positive social change
- Personal development opportunities such as presenting ones work, building networks, leadership development, and more
Click Here to Apply: https://goo.gl/forms/BHK0Qa5CnGMR0SOg2
Application Closes: Friday, June 22, 2018
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is eligible to apply?
2. How can I apply?
To apply to the Project EMPOW[HER] Fellowship programme, please click here https://goo.gl/forms/BHK0Qa5CnGMR0SOg2 to fill out and submit an Application Form.
3. What are the different stages of the application process?
4. When is the application deadline?
The application closes on Friday, June 22, 2018.
5. What is the duration of the Fellowship Programme?
The Project EMPOW[HER] Fellowship is a 6-month programme (September 2018 - March 2019). Fellows are expected to commit 5 days a week, 5 hours per day, for the duration of the Fellowship.
6. What will my 6 months look like?
The Project EMPOW[HER] Fellowship is divided into 4 phases:
Phase 1 - Induction and Orientation Training
Fellows entering the programme will undergo orientation and induction training to build deeper understanding about the scope of the programme. Trainings will also aim to build the capacity of Fellows, and their understanding of how to effectively engage with students, specifically girls, within the context of the schools they're placed within.
Phase 2 - Community Immersion and Planning
During this phase, through various preliminary interactions and exploratory opportunities, Fellows will gain a deeper understanding of the girls they're placed with, and the community context they're working within. Interactions with the girls will also enable them to include the girls in the preliminary planning process. Once Fellows have gathered the necessary information, they will be given the time to reflect and create a detailed plan for a project that they would execute along with the girls. Fellows are also expected to draw out a detailed budget of how they plan to utilize assigned project funds, and once funds are approved and released, purchase the necessary supplies.
Phase 3 - Project Implementation
During this phase, the Fellows will begin working with the girls to co-create an art/design project. During this time, Fellows will be immersed in all aspects of the process, facilitating sessions with the girls, collaborating with various stakeholders, maintaining supplies, submitting periodic field reports, etc.
Phase 4 - Project Presentation
In the final phase, Fellows and their assigned group of girls will be given a platform to present their work to the public. This platform is intended to give the Fellows and the girls the opportunity to create impact and spark broader change.
7. What is the Fellowship stipend?
Project EMPOW[HER] Fellows will receive a stipend of Rs. 12,000 a month
8. What is the project budget?
Project EMPOW[HER] Fellows will receive a project budget for supplies and other project related costs of upto Rs. 50,000
- Individuals who identify themselves as visual artists or designers with a demonstrated creative and artistic practice, and are passionate about using art and design as a medium to effect social change
- Those who possess a deep curiosity to explore new aspects of the creative process, and step outside their comfort zones to take risks
- Those who possess enduring energy to engage with a group of girls/students and other stakeholders
- Those who can commit to a period of 6 months and can attend all program-related activities
- Spoken Kannada is beneficial, although not a necessity
2. How can I apply?
To apply to the Project EMPOW[HER] Fellowship programme, please click here https://goo.gl/forms/BHK0Qa5CnGMR0SOg2 to fill out and submit an Application Form.
3. What are the different stages of the application process?
- Step 1 - Fill out Fellowship Application Form (April - June 2018)
- Step 2 - Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a first round personal interview (July 2018)
- Step 3 - Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a second round interview, including portfolio review (July - August 2018)
- Step 4 - References will be checked for shortlisted candidates (August 2018)
- Step 5 - Final candidates selected for the Project EMPOW[HER] Fellowship programme will be announced (August 2018)
4. When is the application deadline?
The application closes on Friday, June 22, 2018.
5. What is the duration of the Fellowship Programme?
The Project EMPOW[HER] Fellowship is a 6-month programme (September 2018 - March 2019). Fellows are expected to commit 5 days a week, 5 hours per day, for the duration of the Fellowship.
6. What will my 6 months look like?
The Project EMPOW[HER] Fellowship is divided into 4 phases:
Phase 1 - Induction and Orientation Training
Fellows entering the programme will undergo orientation and induction training to build deeper understanding about the scope of the programme. Trainings will also aim to build the capacity of Fellows, and their understanding of how to effectively engage with students, specifically girls, within the context of the schools they're placed within.
Phase 2 - Community Immersion and Planning
During this phase, through various preliminary interactions and exploratory opportunities, Fellows will gain a deeper understanding of the girls they're placed with, and the community context they're working within. Interactions with the girls will also enable them to include the girls in the preliminary planning process. Once Fellows have gathered the necessary information, they will be given the time to reflect and create a detailed plan for a project that they would execute along with the girls. Fellows are also expected to draw out a detailed budget of how they plan to utilize assigned project funds, and once funds are approved and released, purchase the necessary supplies.
Phase 3 - Project Implementation
During this phase, the Fellows will begin working with the girls to co-create an art/design project. During this time, Fellows will be immersed in all aspects of the process, facilitating sessions with the girls, collaborating with various stakeholders, maintaining supplies, submitting periodic field reports, etc.
Phase 4 - Project Presentation
In the final phase, Fellows and their assigned group of girls will be given a platform to present their work to the public. This platform is intended to give the Fellows and the girls the opportunity to create impact and spark broader change.
7. What is the Fellowship stipend?
Project EMPOW[HER] Fellows will receive a stipend of Rs. 12,000 a month
8. What is the project budget?
Project EMPOW[HER] Fellows will receive a project budget for supplies and other project related costs of upto Rs. 50,000
