THE KRISHEN JIT ASTRO FUND
The Krishen Jit ASTRO Fund has been created by ASTRO and Five Arts Centre to encourage and support creative work in Malaysia. One of the main objectives of Krishen’s pioneering work was celebrating original Malaysian creativity in as varied and alternative ways as possible in all the areas of the arts.
His groundbreaking theatre practice straddled and brought together a wide range of contrasting spheres, producing projects that were inter-disciplinary, multicultural, multilingual and experimental. Negotiating between academia and practice, tradition and contemporary pop culture, Hollywood and Bollywood, the mainstream and the marginalized, Krishen’s work articulated a Malaysian identity that was ever evolving and encouraged practitioners and audiences to reflect on their lives and societies.
This is the spirit of the Krishen Jit ASTRO Fund.
Past Grantees
In 2006, the Fund received 80 applications. The 3 grantees were:
- Au Sow Yee for 'The 4th Dimension: Mapping The Imaginary Cinema', a film installation and performance.
- Sharon Chin for 'Sensors: Banned Books & Other Monsters', an interactive installation and exhibition.
- Dr. Ray Langenbach – for 'Malaysian Performance Video Archives Project'.
In 2007, the Fund received 27 applications. The 3 grantees were:
- Amir Muhammad for the film 'Punggok Rindukan Bulan'.
- Hardesh Singh and CH Loh for the CD 'Faith Hope Chaos: Malaysian Contemporary Music Vol. 1' anthology.
- Lim Kok Yoong for 'Let Arts Move You', an exhibition and engaged arts project in commuter trains and train stations.
In 2008, the Fund received 47 applications. The 4 grantees were:
- Carolyn Lau for 'The Light Show' exhibition.
- Chris Chong for the film 'Karaoke'.
- Fahmi Reza for the 'Projek Hari Hartal' documentation project.
- FINDARS collective for 'The Rain Project', a series of monthly experimental arts presentations.
In 2009, the Fund received 59 applications. The 5 grantees were:
- Beverly Yong for a major book of essays on Malaysian art.
- Fauzi Yusoff for 'Satu Hari', an audio-visual documentary.
- Pentas Project for 'A Word in A Year', a collaborative theatre project.
- KongHwee and Ying for a book of stories entitled 'Orang Asli Animal Tales'.
- Tan Nan See for an alternative solo exhibition entitled 'Artist Sojourn'.
In 2010, the Fund received 60 applications. The 4 grantees were:
- Ho Sheau Fung, Aida Reza and Lisa Foo (Ombak-Ombak ARTStudio) for the River Art Project.
- Chong Sheau Ching (Corpsom Services Sdn Bhd) for A Portrait of Perseverance, a women's video journal project.
- Suzy Sulaiman (Re-cap) for The Digital Architecture Heritage Trail : Suffolk House, Penang.
- Adrian Pereira for the Desa Mentari Youth Project a community arrts project.
In 2011, the Fund received 42 applications. The 5 grantees were:
- Kok Siew Wai for KLEX 2011 - The 2nd Kuala Lumpur Experimental Film and Video Festival.
- Amanda Leonie for video documentation of the cultural practices of villagers in Kg. Terian.
- Christine Yun May Yong for The Rhythm in Bronze Collaboration Project.
- Foo Fei Ling for the James Lee film, 'If It Is Not Now, Then When?'
- Lau Chee Shyong for an animatic movie entitlted, Lagenda Melaka.
In 2012, the Fund received 38 applications. The 5 grantees were:
- Margaret Bong for Weight of Salt, a documentation of the dying salt making culture of the Kelabit in Borneo.
- Agnes Lee Agama for community filmmaking workshops.
- Ng Chor Guan for New Music Series, a series of new experimental music to be performed live with collaborations with different art formts and art-related professionals.
- Too Chi Hung (chi too) for FTW! (For The Wind), a series of contemporary art works made in response to the artist's research into kite-making and flying.
- Lim Li-Ling for Wayang, a photo and multimedia documentary for the Shio Kee Lin Hokkein Opera Troupe.
- Training;
- Workshops;
- Attachments/ residencies;
- Experimental productions;
- Research and documentation;
- Writing;
- Creating new work in music, dance, theatre, writing, film, visual/ performance art; and
- Others.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Artist A might want to study under a well known Indonesian theatre director. Artist A could apply to be attached to a production directed by the director for a 4-6 week period. This would give artist A insights and learning on methods of this director.
- Artist B might want to do research on a subject for purposes of writing a new script. Artist B could apply to do this research and write the script.
- Artist C could apply to direct and mount an experimental workshop or production.
- Artist D could apply to attend a training workshop within or outside of Malaysia.
- Attachments and internships.
The Krishen Jit ASTRO Fund will try to be inclusive, but work sited in Malaysia will be given preference. All arts practitioners in Malaysia are eligible to apply. The fund will be managed by Five Arts Centre and ASTRO.
The selection panel for awarding the grants shall comprise:
- Dato’ Norliza Rofli – Director, Department of Culture and Arts, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia.
- Jolyn Gasper, Snr. AVP Corporate Responsibility, Corporate Responsibility, Community Affairs, ASTRO.
- Leow Puay Tin – Head, Department of Performance & Media, Sunway University College.
- Ravi Navaratnam – Five Arts Centre
- Mac Chan – Five Arts Centre
Application procedure - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
- You may apply in English or Bahasa Malaysia.
- Please keep your application limited to material that directly supports your application and our understanding of your work.
- Your completed application with all information (including CV) should not exceed 10 pages.
- Each application should have only one project proposal.
- Please use Times New Roman, point size 11 in your application.
- You must complete all 6 sections of the application form. Please follow the order given.
- The selection panel reserves the right to call applicants for interview should the need arise.
- Grantees of the Krishen Jit ASTRO Fund are not eligible to apply for the grant for the next two consecutive years from receiving the grant.
Please mail all applications to:
Five Arts Centre,
60000 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Or email to: fiveartscentre@gmail.com
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
31 JULY 2013
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