un/fund 04 – Four New Ways To Undo

un/fund is an international not-for-profit platform focused on promoting & rewarding exceptional un/der-represented visual artists. Celebrating creative vision and growth through creation, connection and support.

Overview

Sponsored by the non-profit production house un/produced, to inspire and fund the next wave of un/supported photographers and filmmakers. This year, we are offering four distinct awards: to make, publish, connect, and grow. un/fund is excited to launch their fourth edition of their international award scheme.

They are looking for un/der-represented, un/signed, and un/established creatives.

Practical Info

This is an open call for international visual artists who have under 7 years of industry experience. Applicants should submit a funding suitability reference, a written outline of the project proposal, including the originality of their idea and how they see the final form of content, text, and up to 20 images, a written project timeline indication, a budget breakdown to realise the project, and a link to their online portfolio or website.

Selected artists will receive opportunities such as a fully-funded four-week artist residency at NUMEROVENTI in Florence, Italy; a published photobook, designed and distributed by Libraryman Books; a year-long, dialogue-based mentorship with visual consultant Katharina Uhe; the opportunity to develop or reframe a current project or their broader artistic practice; and direct funding of €10,000 for their proposed project.

The jury is composed of James Beattie (Director of Photography), Chaumont-Zaerpour (Photography-duo), Martino di Napoli Rampolla (Creative Director & Founder of NUMEROVENTI), Tony Cederteg (Designer & Publisher, founder of Libraryman), Lillian Wilkie (Writer, Editor, Publisher), Katharina Uhe (Art Director, Visual Consultant, Writer, Editor & Researcher), and Adam Rouhana (Artist & Photographer, and un/fund 2024 winner).

About un/fund

"The idea was conceived in 2021: to do something bold, different, kinetic. A production house that donates its profits for artist grants & opportunities. To regenerate creatives, help transform the industry, redefine commercial boundaries, hold purpose and become relevant, contemporary, valuable. The idea was inspired by the mythical legend of my hometown and utopian idealist, Robin Hood; who stole from the rich and gave to those who needed it most. The idea became a reality; producing film and photography campaigns for luxury clients on a global scale whilst using our 10% production fee to host an annual competition. My dad suggested I call the company utile dulci, meaning ‘the useful with the agreeable’, but I chose un as my base; to use un as an adjective for change or difference. un/words go against the tide and make waves."

Rosie Donoghue, Founder and Executive Producer of un/produced & un/fund