LONDON.- Freelands Foundation has today awarded seven new grants to small and medium sized, Black-led organisations working in visual arts embedded in communities across the UK. These were selected by the Foundation’s Diversity Action Group from over 120 respondents from across the country to an Open Call.
The ‘Space to Dream fund’ continues the Foundation’s ongoing work to address racial inequality in the visual arts. This includes a commitment of £3m to organisations working to enact change in the sector for Black and Brown artists and practitioners, and a major research commission in partnership with the Runnymede Trust.
198 Contemporary Arts and Learning, Brixton will partner with curatorial duo Languid Hands to build to lead an ambitious public programme of exhibitions, events and residencies with Black and Brown artists, as well as development programmes for emerging curators and young people entering the art sector.
“The grant from Freelands Foundation will support 198 to realise our artistic vision for the organisation, maximising the potential of the new building and enabling 198 to bring through the next generation of artists of colour.” - Linton Kwesi Johnson, Chair, 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning
The Arab British Centre will spearhead a UK-wide curatorial project to research Arab British identities, working with local communities across the country. A cumulative exhibition will encompass a spectrum of ideas and practices by Arab British artists.
“This Space to Dream grant will enable the Arab British Centre to build on the foundations of our current projects that celebrate the history, achievements and experiences of Arab communities in Britain.” - Nadia El-Sebai, Executive Director, The Arab British Centre
Bernie Grants Art Centre, Tottenham, will expand their exemplary work celebrating Black-led practice in the UK with a new visual arts programme shaped by international guest curators including Ekow Eshun in a dedicated gallery space. Their long-term relationships in the area will bring world-class programming to local community groups.
“We are honoured, thrilled and excited: this grant will make it possible for us to commission ground-breaking new work by Black artists and allow us to create a bold, ambitious new home for Black visual arts, right in the heart of Tottenham, one of Europe's most diverse postcodes.” - Hannah-Azieb Pool, Artistic Director/CEO, Bernie Grant Arts Centre
Cubitt Artists, Islington, will embark on a new civic fellowship to work with Black and Brown individuals and groups in the local area, building on the success of their Curatorial Fellowship. This radical localised approach will contribute to Director Amal Khalaf’s new vision for an organisation embedded in its location.
“Cubitt is honoured to receive the Space to Dream Fund, which will have a powerful and transformative effect on our working practices and allow us to listen and learn from communities with lived experience of exclusion. We’re dedicated to creating a world where BPOC communities who are most impacted by struggles in their community, lead in shaping culture locally, nationally and internationally.” – Amal Khalaf, Director of Programmes, Cubitt
June Givanni Pan African Cinema Archive, London, will enable a unique and historic film resource built over several decades to sustain its work and open access to the public. Founder and curator Givanni will work with young practitioners and students to share archival knowledge, and build programmes and partnerships with galleries, universities and filmmakers.
“This grant is a great reassurance and encouragement for all who have shown their determination, commitment and belief in the historical and cultural significance of the archive. With this grant the organization will also be able to take crucial steps in building its capacity in response to expectations and growing demands as a unique resource.” – June Givanni, Director, JGPACA
Rising Arts, Bristol, will expand their youth-led programme to embed diverse voices from the next generation in the cultural sector, through mentoring, young trustees, networks and collaborative commissions. Their equitable approach considers what young creatives of colour need to become future leaders and to build a stronger more diverse art sector.
“We are honored to be part of the Space to Dream cohort and to work with the amazing Freelands Foundation. This funding will allow us to put resources into the recommendations that came directly from people of colour in our community. We will celebrate the legacy of the work that has come before and build on this towards a future sector where young people of colour can TRULY thrive.” –Euella Jackson and Jess Bunyan, Co-Directors, Rising Arts Agency
Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage, Leicester, will explore African diasporic identities across the Midlands through a documentary photography project marking the 60th anniversary of independence for many African and Caribbean nations. In the first year, emerging and established filmmakers and photographers will explore ideas of ‘independence, republics and restitution’, whilst the second phase will look at identities and depictions of Black women and marginalised genders.
“The project will support emerging photographers and the representation of portrait sitters from the African and African Caribbean Diaspora and provide an opportunity for people to tell their own stories.” - Pawlet Brookes MBE, CEO and Artistic Director, Serendipity
These grants accompany funding for Create London’s Hackney Windrush commission engagement programme, New Art Exchange Nottingham, Iniva Stuart Hall Library, UAL Decolonising Art Centre 20/20 commissions and Wysing Art Centre’s Syllabus programme.
The news follows a Call for Evidence in June 2022 by the Runnymede Trust and Freelands Foundation for their joint commission Visualise: Race and Inclusion in Art Education. This landmark research programme invites Black and Brown art students, teachers, art educators, artists and art professionals to share their experiences of art education and the sector.
