Building on SIN’s initial work in the creative sector (see my earlier post), we are supporting an innovative cross-arts programme, the UnBox Fellowships. The programme is being run in partnership with the British Council, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the UnBox Festival, and the call for applications are now open – but you’ll need to hurry as they close this month.
We are looking for 15 fellows to take part in a 3-4 week programme in January – February 2013. Teams of 3, comprising of 1 Indian and 1 UK creative practitioner and 1 UK researcher, will be placed into a host organisation in India to explore creative solutions to a particular scenario. The fellowship themes are on: Gaming for social innovation (unPLAY); augmenting agriculture with new technologies (unTILL); film and digital media for open-governance (unVEIL); sustainable lifestyles (unBUILD); and culture and heritage preservation (unMAP). These are all sectors in which the UK recognises that the development and exploitation of its creative talents are key to economic success and believe that partnerships with India can benefit both countries.
Following the placements, all of the fellows will attend the UnBox festival in Delhi. The UnBox festival aims to further the practice of innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration through discussions and workshops from leading and emerging practitioners and will take place from 6-10 February 2013. The fellows will have the opportunity to present their fellowship outcomes and big ideas at the UnBox Festival for a chance to be awarded further booster funding with which to continue their collaborative projects.
Update 07/01/13 – Five UK researchers have been awarded Fellowships. See AHRC website for more details.