Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and magnified the creative industries’ pre-existing volatility. Measures of confinement or restriction of mobility undertaken by many countries to contain the pandemic have drastically constrained access to culture and weakened the cultural ecosystem as a whole. Notably through the closure of cultural activities and cultural infrastructure; the cancellation or postponement of events and the interruption of cultural production. This has had a direct impact on the entire creative value chain – creation, production, distribution and access. Freelancers, part-timers and gig workers, most of whom are young people who make up a large segment of the sector’s labour force, are left with limited to no access to conventional social protection mechanisms.
Within the framework of the UNESCO–Sida II project “Reshaping cultural policies for the promotion of fundamental freedoms and the diversity of cultural expressions” and the expressed need to respond to the current cultural emergency, the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa joins the ResiliArt global movement – a global UNESCO-led initiative to give voice to artists and cultural professionals in the face of the health crisis. By giving a voice to young artists and challenges that they face, and enhancing the visibility of their work as well as their resilience in the face of the health crisis, this initiative contributes strengthening the capacities of civil society and fostering freedom of artistic expression, two of the core components of the UNESCO-Sida II project. The illustration contest which directly targets young people responds additionally to UNESCO Global Priority for Youth.
As part of the ResiliArt movement, UNESCO ROSA proposes to launch an illustration contest to support emerging young creatives to show the world that creativity cannot be stopped, and that art is resilient. Empowering young people in this global crisis through social and economic opportunities which cultural and creative industries offer is at the heart of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
ResiliArt movement seeks to:
- Raise awareness about the impact of COVID-19 on the culture sector and the livelihoods of culture professionals
- Give visibility to artists worldwide – established and emerging – and ensure their voices are heard at the policy level to address existing gaps and needs
Presentation of the Contest
Specifically conceived for young people between the ages of 16 and 25, #ResiliArt illustration contest aims to promote and enhance artistic and creative skills of young people during the time of the COVID 19 crisis. Each participant will make either a Traditional Illustration (pencil, charcoal, pen, ink, etc.) or Modern Illustration (digital art, vector graphics etc.), representing the power of art and creativity in the face of challenges posed by COVID 19.
The illustrations that capture the power of arts and creativity should be submitted to the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa via social media and no participation fee will be charged. The illustrations may highlight the following themes:
- Art is resilient
- The effects of COVID19 on the culture and creative industry
- The effect of COVID19 on you, as an artist
All entries should be submitted here: https://blazermag.com/resiliart
NB: Your illustration must have an accompanying short description, explaining which theme you chose and why (not more than 500 words).
Timelines for the contest are:
- Submission of entries deadline: 31 May 2020
- Voting: 1 – 7 June 2020
- Winners will be announced: 1 June 2020
Awards:
- Contest Prizes – First Prize USD$550, Second Prize USD$450, Third Prize USD$400 and #ResiliArt Audience Award USD$300
- #ResiliArt Audience Award : The illustration which will gather the most votes on the platform will be awarded with an honorary prize (#ResiliArt Audience Award) including USD$300.
- Voting :The voting platform will allow Internet users to vote for their favourite illustration, from the 1st to the 7th of June 2020. It is possible to vote for any illustration you like (you can vote for more than one), with a maximum of 1 vote per illustration. Please do not hesitate to spread the word on social media, to maximize the number of votes and tag us @unescoROSA & #ResiliArt. The voting platform will be available on the UNESCO ROSA Facebook Page and https://blazermag.com/resiliart.
- Appreciation certificates will be awarded to the top three illustrations.
- The illustrations of the top ten entries will be published on the website of UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa and used as part of its communication activities.
Eligibility Rules
- An individual between 16 and 25 years old from the nine UNESCO Regional Office of Southern Africa countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe).
- Members of current UNESCO staff (either permanent or temporary), parents, siblings, children and spouses of UNESCO staff are not eligible to participate.
- The Entries are intended to present and promote creativity and resilience of art in the times of a global pandemic such as COVID 19.
- There are no limits on the number of Entries that each Entrant can submit. Illustrations can be drawn using hands or digitally.
- Any expenses incurred during submission are to be borne by the Entrant.
- Entries must be submitted to UNESCO before 31 May 2020 midnight (GMT + 2). Entries published after this deadline shall not be considered. UNESCO shall not bear any responsibility for late or lost Entries due to network failure or any other reason.
- An evaluation committee composed creatives will evaluate the submitted entries.
- UNESCO reserves the right to exclude Entries that conflict with the principles of the UNESCO Constitution, that have obscene, violent, sexually explicit, sexist or racist content, or which violate any fundamental rights. The Entries must also not invade the rights of privacy of any person, living or deceased.
- By submitting their Entries, the Entrants accept that these Entries may be used by UNESCO as part of its communication activities. By participating, the Entrants declare their agreement that UNESCO may use the material in line with the UNESCO Open Access policy (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/resources/publicationsand-communication-materials/publications/full-list/policy-guidelines-for-the-developmentand-promotion-of-open-access/).
- Entrants must possess the exclusive rights to Entries and are responsible for having obtained any necessary permission from the subjects shown on the Entries, in accordance with applicable laws. UNESCO will not be responsible for any claims or complaints against infringement of rights or damages from third parties relating to the Entries, and the Entrant agrees to indemnify and hold UNESCO harmless in such cases.
- UNESCO will select the winning Entries based on the following main criteria: (i) creativity/originality; (ii) content i.e. effectiveness of the entry as a tool to promote or highlight effects or resilience in times of the COVID 19 pandemic; and (iii) craftsmanship/skill (i.e. technical and artistic quality of content).