Darren Soh, 56 Facades. One of the gifts available for the fundraiser. © Courtesy of the artist.
Bolstered by the support of 20 photographers, filmmakers and artists, Objectifs will hold its first ever fundraiser to help the arts centre beat the detrimental effects of Covid-19 on its income. Notable names such as Darren Soh, Robert Zhao Renhui, Lenne Chai, John Clang, Kirsten Tan, Boo Junfeng and Shubigi Rao have rallied to the cause by donating the use of their work to the fundraiser. Each artist has donated the use of an image that they have created, to be produced as prints that are unique gifts for Objectifs donors.
The fundraiser will run from 11 November to 31 December, and will be conducted online. Depending on the size of the donation, donors can choose to receive a print of various sizes from any of the 20 artists involved. The centre hopes to raise at least $50,000 from this fundraiser, the proceeds of which will go towards sustaining Objectifs’ operations and programmes, as well as the artists and arts freelancers that Objectifs works with.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has been devastating for the arts, and we have seen our income dive by more than 70%,” says Ryan Chua, Outreach Director at Objectifs. “We have been heartened by the generosity of artists who have donated their work to support our fundraiser, the diversity of which reflects the broadness and depth of our work with artists of all ages and backgrounds.”
The pandemic has seen Objectifs move many of its activities online, where it continues to support artists and the wider community. In April, it raised almost $60,000 for the migrant worker community through an online print sale, where 100% of the proceeds went to NGOs such as HOME and Migrant x Me. It recently concluded the Objectifs Short Film Incubator, a month-long digital mentorship programme for Southeast Asian filmmakers, and launched the Objectifs Film Library, an online platform for award-winning short films.
“The onset of Covid-19 has been an opportunity for us to adopt new ways of working with the arts community and reaching out to the public. However, many of these digital endeavours are difficult to monetise, and the outlook is still uncertain,” says Ryan. “The public’s support will enable us to continue the work we do for and with the community, championing film and photography in Singapore and Southeast Asia.”
Supporting artists: Amrita Chandradas, Boo Junfeng, Bryan van der Beek, Darren Soh, Deanna Ng, Dylan Chan, Ivan Tan, ila, Kevin WY Lee, Kirsten Tan, John Clang, Lenne Chai, Lim Kwong Ling, Lui Hock Seng, Mindy Tan, Ng Hui Hsien, nor, Robert Zhao Renhui, Shubigi Rao, Wee Li Lin
The fundraiser will go live on the Objectifs website on 11 November at www.objectifs.com.sg/suppport-objectifs2020
When: 11 Nov - 31 Dec 2020,
