Are you an artist or SME affected by Covid-19? Apply for this UAE grant

abu dhabi — A relief initiative has been launched by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development for individuals, small businesses and entrepreneurs in cultural and creative industries to face the challenges caused by Covid-19.

The National Creative Relief Programme aims to provide financial grants in collaboration with the ministry, members of the Arts and Cultural and Creative Industries Councils and cultural institutions in the country. The members met virtually in early April to discuss how to unify efforts and offer support to creative individuals and institutions.

Applications will be accepted for a period of seven days starting from May 17 through a unified digital platform.

All requests will be evaluated by a specialised committee according to predetermined criteria, including the size of lost work or projects, financial setback due to Covid-19, production of creative content in the UAE in 2019.

The initiative also invites individuals, organisations and patrons who wish to contribute to the programme. Donations can be made through the ministry’s website.

Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said the UAE is the first country in the region to launch a programme that supports creative people impacted by Covid-19. “The programme is a result of the national survey that was launched after a meeting with members of the Arts and Cultural

and Creative Industries Councils in early April.”

According to the results of the survey, 90 per cent respondents indicated that the biggest challenge at this stage is fixed costs such as renting offices and workshops, salaries to employees, continued services to clients, loan payments, and paying dues to contractors and suppliers.