We hope you are well!
As 2022 fast approaches, this will be the last newsletter from us until the New Year.
From all the Steering Group at MENA Arts UK, we would like to thank you all for your support over the past year, and wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New year!
For our members, a reminder of our Winter Mixer on 19th December. Head to the members area on the website to RSVP: https://www.menaarts.uk/
We have one more of our free workshops coming up soon!
Our very own Arian Nik leads 'Creative Huddle: Commitment' on 9th December.
You can book your tickets for these workshops and more HERE.
Sharing Conversations and Opportunities
- Amal have released a callout for artists who are interested in engaging with the Muslim community in Bradford and Birmingham to deliver one-off workshops
from Feb 2022.
Deadline: 24th December. Details: https://amal.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Amal-VCP-Artist-callout-Nov-2021.pdf?mc_cid=afc9a1dd1c&mc_eid=e69e46f936
- reACT’s online exhibition: 'Sur-Urbans' by Syrian artist Rayan Rahal is now open until 7th January! ‘Sur-Urbans’ is a digital art series reflecting the emotions perceived by the living environment among the informal settlements of Damascus, Syria. The digital images serve to document the various layers of the city and are inspired by surrealism and the artist’s love of architecture.
Check it out here: https://p21.gallery/artists/sur-urbans-2
- NFTS are hiring for a Production Support Coordinator and a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant.
More info and to apply: https://nfts.co.uk/jobs
- An artist callout for a £1500 commission from Lora Krasteva as part of ‘Becoming British’ exhibition. Create a series of portraits, an audio piece or a free form response. Deadline: 20th Jan. Details: https://www.lorakrasteva.com/artist-callout
- For D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent aspiring curators: Screen South are launching 'Creating for Change'; apply for an 18 month Curating for Change Fellowship to work at a museum, curate your own exhibition/event, and access/development support.
Details: https://screensouth.org/events/cfc-curatorial-fellowships/
- An opportunity from Junction Theatre for a Stage Manager/Producer:
'Junction Theatre is looking for a Stage Manager + Producer (all in one person;)) to support our run of Borders at Vault Festival 2022 and beyond!
Borders is a moving story about two potential enemies that meet on Grindr.
After an initial R&D process and first performance at Shout Festival Birmingham, we’re looking for an individual with experience of managing show runs at festivals to support our next batch of rehearsals and one-week run at Vault. Knowledge in marketing and crowdfunding will be a huge bonus! The team is a combination of MENA and international artists bringing untold stories to UK audiences.
Dates: rehearsals begin 15/01, show run w/c 07/02
This is a part-time paid role.
For more information and to apply please send an email to Neta at info@junctiontheatre.com with a CV and a few words about yourself. Looking forward to hearing from you:)'
Directory Shoutouts!
Part of our Directory and have a show/project coming up? Let us know so we can shout about it in the next mailout! In the meantime, check out the following work featuring our wonderful Directory members:
- Congratulations to Directory member ALEX KAIS who will be making his West End Debut in Broken Wings!
Check out where to catch it here: http://theatrefan.co.uk/broken-wings-initial-casting-announced-starring-nadim-naaman-soophia-foroughi-lucca-chadwick-patel-more/
- Congratulations to our Directory member FARAH ABUSHWESHA who has been selected as a finalist for The Academy's Academy Gold Fellowship for Women! Check out more here: https://www.oscars.org/academy-gold/fellowship-for-women
And that’s everything! For the new members, mailout is usually sent on a fortnightly basis. Please keep sharing and sending me any of your wonderful work or opportunities you want included in the next mailout to this email. Now more than ever lets keep circulating our brilliant stories; whether it's past work, articles, videos, or something you think the membership may find interesting, please do drop me an email! Please continue to sign up to our directory, and share our community with your friends in the industry!
Have a great week,
Jessie x
MENA ARTS UK
If you can, please consider making a donation to support us on our journey. No amount is too small, and please help us by sharing with your networks! Click here to donate.
Our position on endorsement.
Our main areas of work is to help connect the creative industries with UK MENA+ talent, so we will always share castings, job opportunities, or marketing information. We will track these projects in the hope that they are a great example of how MENA+ talent is used. But by sharing this information, it should not be seen as an endorsement of the project.
We will call out work that is appropriating a MENA+ narrative and does not have MENA+ talent at the heart of the creative process; and we will always champion, front and centre, work that is made for and by MENA+ talent.
MENA ARTS UK
