We are excited to announce the relaunch of our East Jerusalem Giving Circle for the Arts: a series of micro-grants to support artists and cultural organizations in East Jerusalem. This round will distribute 2 micro-grants of NIS 7,000 each, based on demonstrated need.

These microgrants are intended to support innovative arts and culture projects in East Jerusalem. This grant can be used to support adaptation or production of new content, performances, or exhibitions. 

What kinds of things are we looking for?
● Innovation: a new project, that is expressing new ideas, voices, or stories. A project that is experimental, using multiple forms of art, new forms of media, or classic forms in new ways
● Community: a project that involves and/or reaches many people, and seeks to build community
● Impact: a project that has medium or long-term impact, not a one-off event

Eligibility:
● Artists working across all mediums and sectors are eligible (visual arts, dance, music, sound, theater,
film, photography, performance, etc.)
● A cultural initiative or organization in East Jerusalem or with activity in East Jerusalem
● Demonstrated experience or proficiency in the field
● Have not previously received a microgrant from the Jerusalem Giving Circle for the Arts
● We encourage initiatives from all backgrounds, identities, and parts of Jerusalem to apply

LINK TO APPLY

Details:
● To apply, please complete the above form by August 30.
● Applications may be submitted in English or Arabic.

The application will ask you to provide the following items:
○ A short description of your organization/initiative
○ A short individual bio
○ A brief description of your proposed project
○ A brief description of how you plan to implement this project
○ A detailed budget, including projected expenses, and other sources of income
○ Examples that demonstrate your experience or proficiency in the field (a portfolio, video, CV, etc.)

● For those interested, there will be a consultation meeting to discuss the application and answer any questions. If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to Rivka, rivka@jcu.org.il. Date, Time, and Location TBD. We’d be happy to help you fill out the application!
● The Giving Circle will choose semi-finalists by September 14, to briefly present their work on September 21.
● The Giving Circle will select 2 finalists to receive micro-grants by September 29.
The micro-grant will be distributed in early October 2022.

We encourage you to apply and to distribute this information widely. Please contact Rivka, rivka@jcu.org.il, with any questions.

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The Giving Circle is opening a new cycle of micro-grants to support artists and cultural organizations in Jerusalem! This cycle will distribute two (2) micro-grants to Collaborations between two (2) or more initiatives. Grants will range between NIS 5,000-15,000, based on demonstrated need.
We believe that collaborations are key to a healthy and vibrant arts ecosystem. In addition to pooling resources, collaborations build relationships and artistic networks, and introduce audiences to new cultural
production. They generate new ideas and new cultural growth in Jerusalem, benefiting artists, cultural producers, residents, and visitors alike.
This round will distribute grants in two categories:

“Start-up” Grant (NIS 5,000-10,000)
Support for a new collaborative project between 2 or more young organizations or initiatives. This grant supports “Jerusalem’s Talent Pipeline” by identifying new projects that are just getting started. This grant serves as “seed funding” for organizations that may not yet have access to more established sources of funding (from the Jerusalem municipality, private philanthropy, established audiences, etc.).

“Scale-up” Grant (NIS 10,000-15,00)
Support for existing collaborations between 2 or more organizations. Organizations must have a demonstrated track record and at least 2 years of activity. This grant supports existing collaborations in expanding their activity, recruiting new audiences, and developing strategies to reach the next level.

Eligibility:
● An active partnership or collaboration between 2 or more arts and culture initiatives/organizations (i.e. cross-genre performances, shared activity, joint programming. An organization simply hosting a performance or project does not qualify)
● Collaboration will take place by September 2022
● Artistic or cultural organization or initiative, based in Jerusalem
● Have not previously received a microgrant from the Jerusalem Giving Circle for the Arts
● Ability to produce the necessary tax documents (osek patur/osek murshe)
● We encourage initiatives from all backgrounds, identities, and parts of Jerusalem to apply

LINK TO APPLY

Details:
● To apply, please complete this form by January 30
○ Please provide a short description of your organization/initiative.

We encourage you to apply and to distribute this information widely.
Please contact Yaakov yaakov@jcu.org.il 0585055124 with any questions.

○ Tell us (in under 100 words) about how you would use this micro-grant: Who are your partners? What
would this funding support? What are your steps and timeline or implementation?
○ Specify the amount you are applying for, your proposed budget, and other funding sources
● The Giving Circle will choose semi-finalists to briefly present their work in a meeting with the Giving Circle on Sunday, February 20th at 6pm
● The Giving Circle will select 2 finalists to receive micro-grants by February 27th
● The micro-grants will be distributed in early March 2022
● The Giving Circle will continue to operate on a rolling basis, and will continue to distribute micro-grants as funds are available

Download PDF here.

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In March 2020, the coronavirus pandemic hit Jerusalem’s arts and culture community hard. By April 2020, the field had lost over NIS 42 million in revenue, and more than 90% of the cultural staff in Jerusalem had been laid off or placed on unpaid leave. 1

Although the pandemic impacted the whole arts ecosystem, it was particularly harsh for many of the city’s smaller groups, who make up the soul and energy of Jerusalem. Jerusalem Culture Unlimited (JCU) works closely with these organizations, in professional and strategic development. These emerging, small, and mid-size groups and independent artists cannot rely on support from large strategic partners, and are dependent on income from events, or municipal and state funding.

However, the Jerusalem arts community is resilient. Many groups quickly adapted themselves to the new reality, and began to innovate. They used the lockdown to renovate their galleries, studios and performance spaces; digitized their galleries; created virtual tours and Zoom performances; rehearsed dance pieces in capsules of 10 performers; staged plays and concerts outside in shared public place; and created new artistic works that directly responded to the loneliness, anxiety, and social distancing of this time. Throughout the pandemic, artists in Jerusalem have created opportunities to celebrate, mourn, and reflect on this challenging time.

In April 2020, JCU re-launched its Giving Circle for the Arts, to provide a quick and responsive Artists Relief Fund, with an initial goal of raising $20,000 (NIS 70,000). JCU partnered with Bar-Kayma, a Jerusalem arts cooperative, to manage the distribution of the microgrants, and expand our reach. Throughout the pandemic, the fund evolved from providing immediate relief and technological support in the first wave, to supporting organizations that successfully pivoted and innovated during the summer and subsequent waves. It supported artists in re-thinking their activity, developing new strategies to meet the evolving restrictions, and creating new and innovative events for Jerusalem.

At the end of 2020, the Giving Circle has far surpassed its goal, succeeding in raising over $45,000 (NIS 150,000), including a dedicated fund of $13,000 (NIS 45,000) for artists and organizations based in East Jerusalem. Over the past 10 months, the Giving Circle has distributed $30,000 (NIS 102,000) to 18 organizations and initiatives representing all sectors and communities of Jerusalem.

Read more > download full document here.

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