The UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for Artists promote the mobility of young artists in order to enrich their personal perspectives, to enable them to engage in an intercultural dialogue and expose them to cultural diversity.
The Programme offers residencies to young artists (between 25 and 35 years old) worldwide. It shares many objectives of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005), which advocates cultural exchanges and highlights creativity and the need for artists to enrich their experience through contact with other cultures.
The UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries Programme was integrated in UNESCO's strategy in 1994 to promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue. It aims to provide experience to young artists and to help them complete their training in countries other than their own.
* The artistic disciplines for which the bursaries are awarded are Music, Visual Arts and Creative Writing. These three fields cover artistic specializations that drive the creative industries, in particular the recording industries, the organization of concerts, the audiovisual sector, graphic design and publishing. The countries of the South, which have a rich artistic tradition, can further their skills in these fields, expanding and boosting the different sectors of the cultural industry.
* The Programme is aligned with the Convention on the Promotion and Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which came into force in March 2007, and is a pillar of UNESCO’s strategy in the field of culture. In particular, the Programme is in line with Articles 1, 6, 7 and 10. The Aschberg Programme strategy and mechanisms are based on this text and are part of UNESCO’s policies to promote the diversity of cultural expressions.
* The Programme gives priority to artists and institutions in developing countries, in order to enhance North-South and South-South cooperation.
The Inception of the Programme
* The sale of a château donated to UNESCO by Swedish philanthropists, Mr and Mrs Aschberg, allowed for the creation of the UNESCO-Aschberg Bursary Programme in 1994. At the time, the Programme covered five disciplines.
* Between 1994 and 2007, the Programme awarded 650 bursaries in 149 institutions to laureates from 72 countries.
* In 2007, the Programme was temporarily suspended and was subject to an evaluation aimed at not only to draw synergies with the 2005 Convention but also to optimize its management.
Artists - How to Apply
The bursaries are limited and are awarded on a selective basis. The pre-selection of candidates is carried out by the institutions. Artists must therefore apply directly to the institution of their interest, depending on the discipline and/or country sought.
The application file is to be submitted directly to the institution of interest.
General Remarks
* Applicants may submit only one application per year and can participate in the Programme only once in their careers.
* Candidates who are nationals of the country where the chosen institution is located are not taken into consideration.
* In some cases, a document proving language proficiency is required by the host institution.
The institutions pre-select three candidates to submit to UNESCO. The Organization then makes the final decision based on the criteria of geographical distribution and gender balance.
The laureates are then informed of their selection by the institutions where they have been granted residency. The respective institution and successful laureate then sign a mutually binding agreement.
The Laureates
* The visa fees are borne by the laureate.
* In order to experience various aspects of intercultural dialogue during their stay, the laureates are required to participate in social or cultural activities in addition to their own projects, as requested by the host institution.
* At the end of the residency, the laureates are requested to send a brief report outlining their experience, their interaction with the local community and the benefits they derived from their stay. This testimony should also include samples of their work during the residency, which will be posted online in the Programme’s virtual gallery online. The Gallery will allow for the work of these artists to be displayed and available overtime.
For more information: http://portal.unesco.org
