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TIME OF THE RIVERS:
Artist Fellowship Open Call

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About the Fellowship

 

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.

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Programme Components

 

  • Online Mentoring Sessions (March/April): to deepen decolonial approaches to art and ecology.
     

  • Field Visits (between June-August): two immersive 2-week field visits in Borneo and the UK. 
     

  • Online Showcase (September): present research findings and proposals for new works that will emerge through the 6-month programme.

 

Programme Overview

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The project builds on ongoing research and community engagement by Radical Ecology and Borneo Bengkel, focusing on the ecological and social impacts of major dam projects such as Bengoh (Sarawak, 2010s) and Burrator (Dartmoor, 1890s). It centres the lives of displaced communities and historic legacies of dispossession, questioning how the extractive dynamics of economic development are mirrored in dominant approaches to heritage and culture that continue to connect the UK and Borneo to this day. In response to these issues and the 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.

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We are now inviting applications from Malaysian and UK artists of all art forms who are actively contributing to the arts ecologies in these countries. Applicants should demonstrate a sustained engagement with the themes and questions posed by TIME OF THE RIVERS and articulate how participation in this fellowship will contribute to their research trajectory and creative practice.

 

Fellowship Details

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  • Number of Fellows: 4 artists (2 from the UK, 2 from Malaysia)
     

  • Duration: 6 months
     

  • Funding: Full expenses covered, with a stipend of £100/day for 34 days of full-time participation

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How to Apply

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​Submit your application via the Form by 13 February 2025. Your application should include a statement of less than 500 words, your CV, a PDF (less than 100MB) showcasing your relevant work. 

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For enquiries, please contact borneobengkel.sec@gmail.com or studio@radicalecology.earth.

  • 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 only cover the following travel expenses: For Malaysian artists: Travel within Malaysia for Field Visit 1: Malaysia 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: Travel to Malaysia for Field Visit 1: Malaysia 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, literary arts, 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 borneobengkel.sec@gmail.com or 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 borneobengkel.sec@gmail.com or 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 features in 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.

Apply to the Fellowship by 13 February 2025. For more information, read the FAQs or contact borneobengkel.sec@gmail.com / studio@radicalecology.earth with any enquiries.

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