Together Alone - Selected Projects

To respond to the challenges caused by the global COVID-19 epidemic, the network of Finnish cultural and academic institutes launched Together Alone, an open call for artistic projects.

Through Together Alone, which was open to all Finnish and Finland-based professional artists who had lost work opportunities due to the corona epidemic, the Institutes sought artistic proposals related to the state of emergency, radical change, resilience, artistic practice in the future, alone together. At the same time the project acts as a documentation of one of the major social upheavals of our time, gives the artists an opportunity to reflect it through their work, rethink ways of outreach and develop new practices.

The aim of the open call was to ensure the livelihoods of artists and the continuity of international collaboration and dialogue. Although mobility and physical encounters must now be restricted, we want to support international networks and cooperation. The epidemic is revolutionising the world in ways we could not have foreseen. We are facing a time when it’s necessary to question our way of life – and to come up with new ways of living, working and securing our livelihoods. With Together Alone we want to give a platform and encourage professionals to consider new ways of operating in a situation, where physical mobility and contact are no longer possible. We were especially looking for projects, which emphasise broad international collaboration – without physical contact.

The open call was executed in three phases: the first deadline took place on March 30, followed by a second and third round on April 20 and May 4, 2020. The response from the community was overwhelming: from 437 applications we have commissioned 20 artists, creatives and collectives to create projects that reflect upon the current situation through diverse artistic practices. 

The 20 selected projects – each receiving a commissioning fee of 1500-5000 euros from the network of Finnish Institutes – represent varying disciplines and backgrounds, from individual artist to international collectives. Themes and approaches range from new VR solutions in contemporary circus performances, and online conversations around themes of care and resilience, to developing new workshop methods combining futurology and movement based work. 

All proposals received by the final deadline in May were considered and a selection was made within two weeks after each deadline. All submitted project proposals remained under consideration through all three selection rounds. 

More info about all the selected projects here:
https://www.togetheralonefi.com/