As the world really began to feel the effects of COVID-19, artists felt this impact almost immediately and continue to do so today. In response to this sudden shutdown of art production and the uncertainty so many feel in terms of work and financial relief, Sundance has stepped up to the plate in a major way to help those in need.
Sundance created a $1 million “Sundance Institute Respond and Reimagine Plan”. This plan involves redistributing funds to artists in urgent need of assistance, as well as organizations all over the globe leading the relief effort in supporting artists from historically marginalized communities who find themselves disproportionally impacted during this pandemic. Earlier this summer, 60% of the Fund was donated to artists in need, including 103 Sundance Institute curated artists participating in the spring/summer Sundance Institute Labs and via Artist Relief, which offers need-based granting.
Additionally, the Sundance Institute is providing 39 non-recoupable grants totaling $405,500 to organizations in 19 countries around the world. In a direct response to the current global crisis, they plan to extend these funds to storytelling organizations and artist collectives that perform an important role in their communities. The grants may be used to support artists and/or to strengthen the organizations themselves in their ongoing work.
The grantee selection process involved nominations from a network of peer arts organizations, funders, and Sundance Institute alumni artists. This produced a broad cross-section of expertise across media, arts, racial justice, theatre, humanities, philanthropic, social science, and human rights organizations. Below are the selected grantees
Asian American Documentary Network (A-Doc)
Asociación de Documentalistas de Puerto Rico
The Black TV & Film Collective
Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center
Center for Asian American Media
Corporación Chilena del Documental CCDoc
Corporación Cinememoria/EDOC Documentary Film Festival
Docubox The East African Documentary Film Fund
Easterseals Disability Film Challenge
Encounters South African International Documentary Festival
Justice for My Sister Collective
The National Association of Latino Independent Producers
Reflection for Arts, Training and Development
Zoukak Theatre Company and Cultural Association
As we approach the end of the year and there is no official end in sight to the pandemic, the need to support the arts around the world will be ongoing. Many organizations and individuals continue to face challenges as COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the arts. Thanks to organizations like Sundance, efforts like The Sundance Institute Respond and Reimagine Plan will continue to provide much-needed help and support to artists and organizations all over the world.
