02 Aug

Posted at 19:36h in Uncategorized

RELEASE DATE: 2 August 2019

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 30 September 2019

EXTENDED DEADLINE: 15 October 2019

CONTACT: [email protected]

In the context of empowering cross-border dialogue and to enhance intercultural understanding through arts in the Western Balkans, Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania invites local and regional cultural organizations to submit proposals for the design and implementation of an Art Residency Program that emphasizes this aspect.

The mission of the fund is to bring together a group of talented artists from different backgrounds and countries of the region and offer them the space, time and context to produce art works that explore and comprehend relationships and coexistence despite political discordance.

Applications are welcome from cultural organizations from Albania or the region, with proven experience in organizing, managing or being partners in previous art residency programs.

If you are interested to apply, please carefully read the application guidelines before submitting your proposal.

In case of unclarities please send your questions by 10th of October 2019 at 24:00 to [email protected].

05 Jul

Posted at 15:00h in Local Grants Program

Following the fourth call for local grants of the Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania, we hereby announce the projects selected for funding as below.

We would like once again to thank all the applicants!

1. Voice of a Book

Individual/Organization: Orbis

Topic of Interest: Literature

Duration of Implementation : 3 Months | 15 Sep – 15 Dec 2019

Description:

Audio-book recording of At’ Zef Pllumi’s “Rrno vetëm për me tregue” (Live only to witness). At Zef’ Pllumi was one of the many clerics prosecuted, tortured and incarcerated by the communist system, as part of the war against religion. He spent the majority of his years in several jails and work camps throughout Albania. His three-volume work is a rich documentation of the sufference that political prisoners went through between late 40s and early 90s.

2. The cost of forest ecocide in Albania

Individual/Organization: Ajet Rira

Topic of Interest: Photography

Duration of Implementation : 110 Days | 08 Jul – 30 Oct 2019

Description:

Documentary photography project about over 25 years, significant deforestation activity in the national park of Lura.

3. PreservingAlbania

Individual/Organization: Jora Kasapi

Topic of Interest: Cultural Heritage

Duration of Implementation : 120 Days | 10 Jul – 10 Nov 2019

Description:

A research, documentation and mapping project that promotes Albanian vernacular (traditional) architecture in rural and urban areas throughout the territory.

4. “Waiting Room” dance performance

Individual/Organization: Rosella Pellicciotti

Topic of Interest: Performing Arts

Duration of Implementation : 120 Days | 1 Aug – 30 Nov 2019

Description:

Contemporary dance and dance-theatre project between Rosella Pellicciotti, Robert M. Hayden (choreographer) and Bledi Boraku (musician), focusing on the theme of waiting and time passing.

5. “Squeezing Life”

Individual/Organization: Lediona Kasapi

Topic of Interest: Artistic or Cultural heritage projects themed on the olive tree.

Duration of Implementation : 90 Days | 30 Jul – 30 Oct 2019

Description:

Short non-narrative documentary film about the cohabitation between Albanian southern people and the olive tree. It will be shot in Berat and Vuno, where different aspects of olive cultuvation appear.

No project was selected from the topic of interest “Visual Art”.

31 May

Posted at 18:10h in Uncategorized

Feeling grateful for your interest about the fourth call for applications, we are sharing with you the questions that we have received in our email, along with the respective answers.

What does it mean “Description of the technical methodology to be used”? (topic: Literature).
The description of the technical methodology to be used, includes detailed information about the type of studio, equipment, software, staff and other tools that will be used in the production of the audio book.

What is the maximum grant amount for individuals?
The local grants of Swiss Cultural Fund offer the same maximum amount for both individuals and organisations.

I cannot find the albanian language application form. Can you please email it to me?
Swiss Cultural Fund does not send application forms by email. The albanian language application form can be found in the albanian language section of the website.

Are projects with a high budget percentage of material costs accepted?
All applications that fulfill the administative criteria, are evaluated according the same technical criteria, such as: originality, clarity, experience and professionalism of the applicant and budget efficiency.

Do you also support the publishing of the authentic autorial material in the form of a physical book? (theme: Literature)
The call only supports the regjistration, production and publication of the audio book.

Can education institutions apply?
This grant is only open for young artists and cultural organisations. Education institutions are excluded.

Can I submit my application documents in albanian?
Swiss Cultural Fund prefers that applications are made in both languages, albanian and english. However, applications in only one of the languages are not excluded.

03 May

Posted at 12:15h in Local Grants Program

RELEASE DATE: 03 MAY 2019

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 03 JUNE 2019 24:00 CET

CONTACT: [email protected]

The Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania announces the fourth local grants call for applications. Proposals should address one of the following topics of interest:

Literature

The Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania is launching a call to submit proposals for:

 

  • Recording and publication of one audio book in Albanian language

 

This call accepts proposals from independent professionals or cultural organisations. The eligible applicants must demonstrate that they can get copyright clearance for the recorded material, should it be necessary. Applicants should demonstrate capacities for high quality sound recordings, through previous samples or technical information

Applicants are required to describe:

  • A suggested list of titles
  • Description of the technical methodology to be used
  • An actual work plan
  • Further use of the produced materials
  • Details about the final event where the project results will be presented to the public and partners.

Applicants will be selected by a panel of independent experts of the field, based on the quality of the proposal, artistic activity of the last three years and compliance within the above-mentioned criteria.

Photography

The Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania is launching a call for young and emerging photographers to submit proposals for the:

 

  • Production and exhibition of a full photographic project

 

The call adresses photographers that aim to capture and express relevant aspects of the albanian reality through elaborated means and techniques.

This call excludes any genres of commercial photography, such as: wedding photography, food photography, fashion and glamour photography.

Each applicant should submit a resume and a photography portfolio of earlier works, along the application form attached to this call. Applicants should clearly explain their proposal by emphasizing:

  • The theme of their proposed photography project
  • The intended locations or people related to the project
  • An actual work plan is
  • A list of the equipment to be used
  • The expected results of the photography production
  • Details about the exhibition


The selected applicant will implement the production and the exhibition of the project within the proposed timeline.

This call does not support costs for the purchase of equipment, but rental costs for equipment and location are covered.

Applicants will be selected by a panel of independent experts of the field, based on the quality of the proposal, artistic activity of the last three years and compliance within the above-mentioned criteria.

Cultural Heritage

The Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania is launching a call for young and emerging artists and other cultural actors  to submit proposals for projects that:

  • Empower albanian cultural heritage in rural areas.

The call accepts proposals such such as:

  • Research or digital mapping of cultural heritage assets, crafts, tools or work methods with impact to local economy.
  • Documentation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage through video, photography, recording etc.;
  • Promotion and dissemination of local cultural heritage through the web;

This call will not support:

  • Restoration or maintenance projects for cultural heritage assets or sites;
  • Concerts or festivals;
  • Courses, trainings or other short term education programs;
  • Folk literature collections;

Requirements:

Each applicant is required to submit a resume indicating previous activity similar to or in the field of the actual proposal. In the application form, applicants should clearly explain their proposal by emphasizing:

  • The concept and theme of the project
  • The intended locations or people related to the project
  • An actual work plan
  • The expected results of the project
  • Details about the final event where the project results will be presented to the public and partners.

Applicants will be selected by a panel of independent experts of the field, based on the quality of the proposal, artistic activity of the last three years and compliance within the above-mentioned criteria.

Visual Art

The Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania is launching a call for young and emerging artists for the:

 

  • Production and exhibition of visual art works

 

This call accepts proposals from visual artists in the fields of:

  • Painting
  • Sculpture
  • Multimedia (audio-visual)

 

Proposals must address an original and innovative vision on today’s social issues.

 

The call is open both for individual artists or groups.

 

This call will not support:

  • Production of commercial art
  • Production of art for public spaces
  • Repertoire exhibitions
  • Travel expenses for participation in activities abroad

 

Each applicant is required to submit a resume and artist statement, along the application form.

Applicants are required to describe:

  • The concept and theme of their project
  • The intended locations or people related to the project
  • An actual work plan
  • The expected results of the project
  • Details about the final exhibition.

Applicants will be selected by a panel of independent experts of the field, based on the quality of the proposal, artistic activity of the last three years and compliance within the above-mentioned criteria.

Performing Arts

The Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania invites young and emerging artists, collectives or cultural organisations to submit proposals for the:

 

  • Production and performance of contemporary dance

 

This call accepts proposals that address an innovative approach in contemporary dance, by challenging the limitations of classic dance, such as music typology, choreography, staging, lighting, costumes etc.

The call will support expenses for

  • Rehearsal and work space for the pre-production
  • Costumes, hair, make-up
  • Staging costs (projector rental, props and materials, sound system rental, etc)
  • Auditorium and promotion costs for the live event

This call will not support:

  • Travel expenses for participation in activities abroad
  • Television productions
  • Street performance
  • Folk performance
  • Classical ballet

Each applicant is required to submit a resume and samples of previous work in the format of video links, along the application form.

Applicants are required to describe:

  • The concept and theme of their project
  • The intended locations or people related to the project
  • An actual work plan
  • The expected results of the project
  • Details about the live performance.

 

Applicants will be selected by a panel of independent experts of the field, based on the quality of the proposal, artistic activity of the last three years and compliance within the above-mentioned criteria.

Artistic or cultural heritage projects themed on the olive tree

In mediterranean cultures, the olive tree is considered a symbol of peace. It is often metaphorically associated with heritage, history and generations.

To emphasize and celebrate Albania’s mediterranean nature, the Swiss Cultural Fund is launching an open call themed on the olive tree and the intangible cultural heritage related to it. The proposals can include a variety of art disciplines, such as, but not limited to: visual arts, multimedia, film, photography and performance arts.

The ideal proposal should offer an original, creative and efficient way of putting the theme through the lens of art.

This call does not address:

  • Projects with a scope other than cultural
  • Agricultural organizations or individuals employed in agriculture
  • Organizations with no prior experience in the cultural field

 

Applicants are required to describe:

  • The concept and theme of their project
  • The intended locations or people related to the project
  • An actual work plan
  • The expected results of the project
  • Details about how the theme is addressed.

 

Applicants will be selected by a panel of independent experts of the field, based on the quality of the proposal, cultural activity of the last three years and compliance within the above-mentioned criteria.

You will find the Application form and Guidelines inside the Application Package.

Please read the Guidelines carefully before compiling your Application Form.

Proposals that do not meet all the criteria and conditions will not be considered.

In instance of unclarities please send your questions within 30thof May 2019 at 12:00 to [email protected] before submitting your application.

28 Mar

Posted at 15:26h in Art, Regional

In response to the open call “Cross-cultural dialogue in art” of the Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania, we hereby announce the project selected for funding as below:

Organization: Galeria Kalo
Topic of Residence: Togetherness

 

We wish to thank all the applicants for showing interest in our open call. We appreciate the time and effort you have invested in submitting the application!

05 Feb

Posted at 08:49h in Uncategorized

Announcement

Following the extended deadline of applications for the call “Cross-cultural dialogue in art”, we announce the postponement of the initial timeline for evaluation of the proposals.

Thank you for your understanding!

The Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania announces extended deadline for proposals for the open call “Cross-cultural dialogue in art”

until 20th of January 2019.

Please continue reading below for the details of the call.

RELEASE DATE: 22 October 2018

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 5 January 2019 at 00:00

EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 20 January 2019

CONTACT: [email protected]

In the context of empowering cross-border dialogue and to enhance intercultural understanding through arts in the Western Balkans, Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania invites local and regional cultural organizations to submit proposals for the design and implementation of an Art Residency Program that emphasizes this aspect.

The mission of the fund is to bring together a group of talented artists from different backgrounds and countries of the region and offer them the space, time and context to create collaborative art that explores and comprehends relationships and coexistence regardless of political tensions.

Please read the Guidelines carefully before submitting your proposal.

Proposals that do not meet all the criteria and conditions will not be considered. In instance of unclarities please send your questions within 12thof November 2018 at 12:00 to [email protected] before submitting your proposal.

01 Feb

Posted at 17:31h in Uncategorized

The Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania supported the production and the promotion of the album “9” by Vitmar Basha, at the Puppet Theater in Tirana

Nine new songs were performed yesterday evening for the public of Tirana. The concert marked the publication of the album titled “9”, which is now available to purchase. This album collects songs about social and personal themes, composed by the artist himself.

The production and the promotion of the album was supported by the Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania, through the local grant “Production or Promotion of Alternative Music”.

 “Alternative music is going through harsh days. That is because this genre is distant from commercial trends. But we believe that even commercial music would not survive without the inspiration from alternative experimentation”, said Kleidi Eski, representative of the Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania.

More than 150 spectators attended the concert at the Puppet Theater, which lasted about one hour.

“On this album, a dedicated group of musicians worked very hard, recently until dawn”, said Vitmar Basha, author of the project.

Artist Marsela Çibukaj joined Basha on stage for a duet, which got applauded and cheered by the public. Together with Basha in acoustic guitar, the following musicians interpreted: Fatlind Dehiri in drums, Gjergj Kaçinari in acoustic guitar, Arvit Banishta in bass and Erdio Hoxha in keyboard. Along the lyrics written by Basha, the album includes lyrics written by Marsela Çibukaj and Nina Cara.

Additionally to new material, the album’s tracklist includes two bonus tracks from the artist’s repertoire.

The Swiss Cultural Fund is a project by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) that aims to support young and emerging artists through local grants, regional collaboration programmes and capacity building. It is implemented by the “Centre for Business Technology and Leadership (CBTL).

Photos: Egli Çela, Sibel Eski

05 Oct

Posted at 18:05h in Uncategorized

The Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania enables the latest innovative performance ‘Wild Animal’ at contemporary art space Bazament by Haveit Collective

The social issue of parental education and the effect of parent’s cursing words on their children was reflected last Thursday evening at the Bazament Art Space in Tirana. ‘Wild Animal’ by Haveit Collective intertwines art installations and a live performance to drive home its key message.

“Young and emerging artists in Albania struggle”, said Philipp Keller, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland in Albania. “The Swiss Cultural Fund has a mandate to encourage and to create better links between art and culture from different countries – in the region and beyond.”, he added.

“What we call contemporary art, is the art of this era. A reflection of the present, of our society today and here. Together with our experts, we saw at Bazament a promising new actor in the field of contemporary art.”, said Kleidi Eski, representative of the Swiss Cultural Fund.

“The support by the Swiss Cultural Fund provided us with full creative freedom in implementing the project”, said Genti Korini, co-founder of Bazament.

Together with a community of regular gallery visitors, dozens of artists and representatives of the cultural sector attended the event.

During the opening performance seven LED screens displayed cursing words and phrases collected from the jargon of Albanian families. Meanwhile, four female artists stayed motionless in corners of the gallery rooms holding vacuum cleaners. With a frozen distant stare the sister duplets Hana and Vesa Qena and Alketa and Lola Syla frequently switched their vacuum cleaners on and off, in mock display of housewives doing chores.

The art installation of the performance objects will be exhibited at Bazament Art Space until October 24th.

This project by Bazament Art Space was enabled by the Swiss Cultural Fund in Albania during its latest call for proposals for the production and exhibition of contemporary art works.

The Swiss Cultural Fund is a project by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) that aims to support young and emerging artists through local grants, regional collabora- tion programmes and capacity building. It is implemented by the “Centre for Business Technol- ogy and Leadership (CBTL).