After a successful first edition of the Serendipity Arles Grant, the largest of its kind for lens-based practitioners in South Asia is back with its second edition. As an ongoing exercise to strengthen regional cooperation on the foundation of the strong Indo-French bilateral relations through cultural exchange, Serendipity Arts Foundation and the Rencontres d’Arles announced today the second edition of the biggest photography, video and new media grant, supported by the French Institute in India / Embassy of France in India, with the shared purpose of promoting cultural practices in South Asia.

The grant amount going to the winner this year will be of INR 12,00,000 rupees (approximately 15,000 euros) and will support lens-based practitioners from South Asian countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The grant amount is inclusive of research, production of the artworks and their shipment to Arles, travel & accommodation of the winner in Arles and all or part of the direct production costs. The initiative seeks not only to empower artists from the region, but also further a spirit of regional cooperation and representation.

The open call for entries will begin 30th of January 2023, and will be shared through the social media handles and websites of the Serendipity Arts, the Rencontres d’Arles and the French Institute in India / Embassy of France in India. The process of receiving applications will close on the 15th of March 2023. The valid applications for the grant received within this deadline will be reviewed by a distinguished jury.

Like the previous edition, the grant this year will also be awarded in two stages. Upon receipt of applications for the grant within this deadline, a distinguished jury comprising artists, authors, Foundation directors, and eminent personalities from diverse artistic domains, will review the proposals and shortlist 5 artists. The first stage will recognise and support 5 artists with a grant of 70,000 rupees (approximately 800 euros). Along with receiving a part of the grant, these five shortlisted candidates will also be given the opportunity to showcase their work at the upcoming edition of the Serendipity Arts Festival, scheduled to take place later in the year in Goa, India.

Finally, at the 2023 festival, the same jury will unanimously declare the finalist, from amongst the five previously shortlisted artists, who would then receive a grant of 15,000 euros - approx. INR 12,00,000 rupees - subject to applicable terms and conditions, to develop the project and show the final presentation at Rencontres d'Arles, France, in 2024.

In 2022 France and Serendipity Arts also entered into an agreement to promote cultural exchanges that support creative expressions and artistic practices from the region.