Asian Creative Grants: Help us fight Covid-19 racism

Diversity Arts Australia partnered with Asian Australian Alliance and Democracy in Colour to collect stories of racists incidents in Australia since the advent of COVID-19.

We collected 410 stories of xenophobia and abuse, including verbal threats, physical intimidation, denial of services, workplace discrimination and being coughed and spat upon. In response, this artist-led project will confront xenophobia, bust stereotypes and provide a counter-narrative to issues of long-standing racism in Australia that are revealing themselves in the face of COVID-19.

Diversity Arts Australia is commissioning 20 Asian and Asian Australian artists to respond to Covid-19 racism in the #IAmNotAVirus project. This online art project will be launched in early 2021 via a website and social media platforms. We want works that engage, inspire, start conversations, and can be shared widely to show that racism will not be tolerated in our communities. All commissioned works will be paid.

Who can apply: Australia-based Creatives of Chinese and Asian ancestry working in any medium (eg film, documentary, mockumentary, animation, comic art, short story, poetry, dance, performance, music, audio pieces, visual art, comedy, drama, digital or experimental works). Works are not required to respond to a personal experience of racism, although we also welcome personal stories if this is what you would like to contribute. Projects will be chosen via a selection panel.

How to apply: Submit an Expression of Interest by filling out the form on the website: http://iamnotavirusaustralia.org.au

This project is managed by Diversity Arts Australia and as a partnership with Asian Australian Alliance and Democracy in Colour, with support from the Australia Council for the Arts, City of Sydney and City of Parramatta. Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) is Australia’s national voice for ethno-cultural and migrant racial equity in the arts, cultural and creative industries. Our work is underpinned by a human-rights ethic, social justice principles, and the belief that a truly diverse spectrum of creative expression and participation is fundamental to a democratic, inclusive and sustainable creative sector, and society.