Frigg Live Expose: Krishen Jit ASTRO Fund.

His groundbreaking theatre practice straddled and brought together a wide range of contrasting spheres, producing projects that were inter-disciplinary, multi-cultural, multi-lingual and experimental. Negotiating between academia and practice, tradition and contemporary pop culture, Hollywood and Bollywood, the mainstream and the marginalized, Krishen’s work articulated a Malaysian identity that was ever evolving and encouraged practitioners and audiences to reflect on their lives and societies.

This is the spirit of the Krishen Jit ASTRO Fund.

In 2006, the Fund received 80 applications. The 3 grantees were:

· Au Sow Yee for The 4th Dimension: Mapping The Imaginary Cinema, a film installation and performance.

* Sharon Chin for Sensors: Banned Books & Other Monsters, an interactive installation and exhibition.

* Dr. Ray Langenbach – for Malaysian Performance Video Archives Project.

In 2007, the Fund received 27 applications. The 3 grantees were:

* Amir Muhammad for the film Punggok Rindukan Bulan.

* Hardesh Singh and CH Loh for the CD Faith Hope Chaos: Malaysian Contemporary Music Vol. 1 anthology.

* Lim Kok Yoong for Let Arts Move You, an exhibition and engaged arts project in commuter trains and train stations.

In 2008, the Fund received 47 applications. The 4 grantees were:

* Carolyn Lau for The Light Show exhibition.

* Chris Chong for the film Karaoke.

* Fahmi Reza for the Projek Hari Hartal documentation project.

* FINDARS collective for The Rain Project, a series of monthly experimental arts presentations.

Once again, in 2009, the fund will give out grants ranging from RM5,000 to RM20,000 for :

* Training

* Workshops

* Attachments/residencies

* Experimental productions

* Research and documentation

* Writing

* Creating new work in music, dance, theatre, writing, film, visual/performance art

* Others

Examples include, but are not limited to:

- Artist A might want to study under well known Indonesian theatre director Putu Wijaya. Artist A could apply to be attached to a production directed by Putu Wijaya for a 4-6 week period. This would give artist A insights and learning on methods of this director.

- Artist B might want to do research on a subject for purposes of writing a new script. Artist B could apply to do this research and write the script.

- Artist C could apply to direct and mount an experimental workshop or production.

- Artist D could apply to attend a training workshop within or outside of Malaysia.

- Attachments and internships.

The Krishen Jit ASTRO Fund will try to be inclusive, but work sited in Malaysia will be given preference. All arts practitioners in Malaysia are eligible to apply. The fund will be managed by Five Arts Centre and ASTRO.

The selection panel for awarding the grants shall comprise:

* Dato’ Norliza Rofli – Director, Department of Culture and Arts, Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture, Malaysia

* A representative from ASTRO.

* Leow Puay Tin – Head, Department of Performance & Media, Sunway University College.

* Ravi Navaratnam – Five Arts Centre

* Mac Chan – Five Arts Centre

Application procedure - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

1. You may apply in English or Bahasa Malaysia.

2. Please keep your application limited to material that directly supports your application and our understanding of your work.

3. Your completed application with all information (including CV) should not exceed 10 pages. Each application should have only one project proposal.

4. You must complete all sections of the application form. Please follow the order given.

5. The selection panel reserves the right to call applicants for interview should the need arise.