May 24 2023 – On the occasion of World Biodiversity Day on May 22, 2023, the Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) and the artist association La Teinturerie are launching the second edition of the Art and Biodiversity project.
This is a competition for small cultural projects aimed at supporting cultural initiatives that contribute to advocating for the protection and preservation of Madagascar’s biodiversity.
With nearly two-thirds of Madagascar’s population estimated to be under the age of 25, the competition specifically targets them as both actors and the primary beneficiaries and recipients of the works. Art is recognized as a privileged medium for effectively conveying awareness messages to the general public. The first edition of the project in 2022 resulted in various artworks showcasing the richness of Madagascar’s biodiversity while also highlighting the threats it faces and the consequences for the population.
This year’s theme is “From Agreement to Action: Rebuilding Biodiversity” (“Fifanarahana manjary asa: Ndao hanarina ny karazan-javamananaina” in Malagasy). Submitters are encouraged to create works that call upon stakeholders, from decision-makers to citizens, to implement their commitments to biodiversity conservation. The artworks may also highlight successful actions taken.
For this year, the three selected projects will each receive an envelope of MGA 1,500,000 for their realization, plus a technical support. The selection criteria will be based on:
- Ease of technical and financial project implementation
- Ability of the project to raise awareness among young people about the role played by biodiversity and protected areas in their way of life, such as water, energy, and food
- Number of people impacted by the project
- Artistic originality of the project
- Presence of co-financing partners
The disciplines involved include Film/Video Arts, Digital Arts, Visual Arts, Drawing, Literature, Music, Performance Art, Photography, Poetry, Play, etc.
The competition is open to Malagasy artists and residents in Madagascar, as well as associations active in Madagascar for at least one year. Submissions must be sent by midnight on July 9, 2023. Contest details and submission documents are available from La Teinturerie and on the FAPBM website.
For the first edition, the project received a dozen submissions from different regions of Madagascar, namely Analamanga, Diana, Antsinanana, and Boeny. The three selected projects were:
- “Je suis stupideman” by Mozeration from Diego Suarez : https://youtu.be/qG7SfyXKtDE
- “Voa S’art” by Loko Association from Diego Suarez : https://youtu.be/MMe5y5YuuJA
- “I just wanna leaf” by Clipse Teean from Antananarivo : https://youtu.be/VYyltTy9F9Y
About FAPBM
Established in 2005 through the initiative of the Government of Madagascar and international conservation organizations (WWF and Conservation International), the Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) is a private Malagasy trust fund dedicated to the conservation of Madagascar’s biodiversity. Its mission is to contribute to the sustainable funding of the Madagascar Protected Areas System (SAPM), promote biodiversity conservation, maintain ecosystem services, enhance the well-being of the population, combat climate change, and promote good management within the SAPM.
Roda Operman – roperman@fapbm.org – +261 34 02 265 01
About La Teinturerie Association
La Teinturerie Association, an association of artists founded in 2014, aims to promote visual art and other forms of art, improve access to art and culture for a wide audience, host foreign artists for creative residencies, facilitate artist exchange, training, creation, and empowerment.
Anjara Ralaiarijaona – lateinturerie.association@gmail.com – +261 34 15 937 05
