The WOMAD Foundation announce 40th Anniversary Project Grant

Project leaders e.g. artists, community groups, schools, organisations, should devise a project which involves people from different cultural traditions or social backgrounds working with artists, e.g. musicians, dancers, singers, visual artists, to create a short performance, a film or an exhibit.

“If we truly want a world full of global citizens, we have to start integrating the world into all our lives.” — Peter Gabriel, founder of WOMAD

What should the project include?

• It should celebrate the arts, e.g. music, song, dance or the visual arts and include artist/s from different cultural traditions.
• It should celebrate 40 years of WOMAD by bringing together people from different backgrounds, e.g. different cultural traditions, social backgrounds, ages, special needs, racial heritage, asylum statuses or includes those living or working in a variety of contexts, e.g. prisons, hospitals, social care establishments and schools with a high rate of eligibility for free school meals.
• It should facilitate collaboration in the creative process between a community and artists. Celebrate the differences and skills of participants by creating a piece (performance, film or exhibit) together.

The successful project will have the opportunity to showcase their creation at the WOMAD Festival in 2023. The showcase piece should excite and captivate the WOMAD Festival audience.

Who can apply?

Artists, schools, organisations, community groups – anyone who would like to deliver an innovative and exciting school or community project, which can also be show-cased at WOMAD Charlton Park 2023. Applicants should be excited by taking creative risks for the common good and demonstrate a record of successful delivery.

What is the application process?

Forms for applications are available on the WOMAD Foundation website. Applications must arrive by 1st October 2022. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to discuss their projects with the trustees whose decision is final. The trustees will make their final decision by 1st December 2022.

See here for examples of previous successful WOMAD Foundation projects here.

Case Study

AMJ and Toto La Momposina: Musical Adventure

The Foundation is proud to have supported an inspiring project organised by Astar Artes which was a collaboration between Toto La Momposina, AMJ Collective and Bristol schools, based at May Park Primary School.

A celebration of the mixed roots created by migration, the project brought together pupils of diverse backgrounds, many from families of asylum seekers, with Colombian musical icon Toto and the AMJ Collective, whose music reflects their mixed Anglo/Afro/Caribbean heritage. The project consisted of a series of workshops exploring migration through voice, music and dance sessions which culminated in a concert celebrating heritage and diversity at St George’s Hall, Bristol, on July 5th 2018. From soulful acapella to fiery percussion, it was an extraordinary event.

Visit the WOMAD Foundation website