Time of the Rivers: Artist Fellowship Open Call

DATE: Jan 13 - Feb 13, 2024	LOCATION: Borneo & UK	RESEARCH STRANDS: Climate Justice / Storytelling / Art / Culture / Ecology / Displacement / Water / Repair
FORMATS: Opportunity	NETWORKS:	PARTNERS: Borneo Bengkel / British Council

As part of Human-Nature, the British Council’s 3-year programme in Malaysia exploring the role of the arts and creative approaches to highlight climate adaptation, Radical Ecology and Borneo Bengkel are collaborating with the British Council to deliver TIME OF THE RIVERS, an artist fellowship programme running from March to September 2025. This fellowship will include online mentoring sessions to deepen decolonial approaches to art and ecology (March/April), 2 x 2-week field visits in Borneo and the UK respectively (between June-August), and an online showcase reflecting research findings and proposals for new works that will emerge through the 6-month programme (September).

The project builds on ongoing research and community engagement by Radical Ecology and Borneo Bengkel into the ecological and social impact of big dam projects including Bengoh (Sarawak, 2010s) and Burrator (Dartmoor, 1890s). It centres the lives of displaced communities and historic legacies of dispossession, raising questions around how far extractivist dynamics of economic development are also reflected in dominant approaches to heritage and culture that connect the UK and Borneo to this day.

In the face of such dynamics and projected impacts of global warming, the project also considers the reparative and emancipatory potential of artistic strategies that reconnect us with the time and flow of our river ecologies. We are now inviting applications from Malaysian and UK artists currently contributing to the arts ecologies of these countries who can demonstrate a track record of sustained engagement with the themes and questions of TIME OF THE RIVERS outlined here. Artists should also articulate how participation in this fellowship will benefit their research trajectory and creative practice.

Submit your application via the Google Form below by 13 Feb, including a statement of less than 500 words, a CV, and a PDF (less than 100MB) of previous work:

Submit your application ↗

4 successful fellows (2 x UK, 2 x Malaysia) will be offered a full expenses opportunity that will include field visits, and a stipend of £100/day for 34 days of participation in the fellowship throughout the 6-month duration of the programme.

I am not based in Malaysia or the UK. Can I still apply ?

This programme is also open to Malaysian and UK artists based outside their home countries. Please note that the programme will cover the following travel expenses:

For Malaysian Artists:

(1) Travel within Malaysia for Field Visit 1: Malaysia
(2) Travel to the UK from Malaysia for Field Visit 2: UK

** Return travel to a foreign country of residence from the UK may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

*** Please note that successful Malaysian applicants will need to obtain a valid ETA prior to flying into the UK. For more info: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

For UK artists::

(1) Travel to Malaysia from the UK for Field Visit 1: Malaysia
(2) Travel to the UK from Malaysia for Field Visit 2: UK
** Return travel to a foreign country of residence from the UK may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

What art forms are eligible under this programme?

We accept artists practising in various art disciplines. This includes visual arts, performing arts, literature, and more.

What do the online mentoring sessions entail?

The online sessions in March/April 2025, lasting not more than 2 hours at a time, will focus on decolonial approaches to art and ecology, engaging experts from Malaysia and the UK who work within the aforementioned themes. The sessions are meant to provide key context to the objectives of the fellowship, as well as foster dialogue and mutual learning. Through these sessions and the rest of the programme, we aim to provide a safe, helpful environment for everyone involved (including the project team) to deepen our understanding and practice in the spaces of art and ecology.

As these sessions are essential to the programme, we ask that you ensure you have access to a reliable internet connection to fully participate. If you anticipate any challenges in this regard, please reach out to us at studio@radicalecology.earth, and we can discuss potential solutions to support your involvement.

What are the field visits like?

The fellowship includes two 2-week field visits between June and August 2025. The first field visit will take place in Malaysian Borneo, followed by the UK. These visits will allow participants to immerse themselves in the local context, engage with community members, and deepen their understanding of the ecological and social issues linked to big dam projects.
Please note that the field visits may involve physical activities such as hiking or extended periods of walking, which could present challenges for some. We encourage applicants to consider their ability to participate in these activities and assess whether the fellowship is a good fit for their personal circumstances. If you have any concerns or specific accessibility needs, please feel free to reach out to us at studio@radicalecology.earth, and we can discuss how we might support your participation.

What will the online showcase be like?

During the online showcase in September 2025, fellows will publicly share their research findings and proposals for new works emerging from their involvement in the programme. While we envision that this can be done through online sharing as well as dedicated webpages on Radical Ecology and Borneo Bengkel’s websites, the showcase’s final form may evolve through discussions with the fellows.

Will there be any ongoing support after the fellowship?

While the primary focus is on the 6-month fellowship, ongoing collaboration may occur through future opportunities with Radical Ecology, Borneo Bengkel, and the British Council, depending on the outcomes and relationships developed during the programme.

TIME OF THE RIVERS: ARTIST FELLOWSHIP OPEN CALL