U.S. Mission China Public Diplomacy Program: “Art for the People: Using Our Voices” | EAPBJ 23 CA 001 20230320

Opportunity Information: Apply for EAPBJ 23 CA 001 20230320

The U.S. Department of State, through the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, announced a discretionary public diplomacy grant competition titled "U.S. Mission China Public Diplomacy Program: Art for the People: Using Our Voices" (Funding Opportunity Number EAPBJ 23 CA 001 20230320). The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the Embassy expects to have an active partnership role during implementation rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The program sits within the arts/cultural affairs funding category (CFDA 19.040) and is intended to use art as a practical tool for public engagement and dialogue.

The core purpose of the opportunity is to reach public audiences in the People's Republic of China with content that highlights U.S. civic participation and widely discussed American values, specifically democracy, human rights, individual freedoms, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. A central thread is freedom of speech and freedom of expression, using street art and related programming to illustrate how artistic expression can surface difficult issues and encourage constructive discussion. The stated outcome is that, by the end of the project, target audiences have a stronger understanding of U.S. culture and values and a clearer sense of how art can help catalyze conversations among individuals, civic organizations, and government about real societal challenges.

This program continues a multi-year Embassy initiative. It explicitly builds on two earlier "Art for the People" efforts in Beijing in 2021 and 2022 that displayed large-scale images of U.S. street art on the exterior walls of the U.S. Embassy. The 2021 exhibit focused on freedom of expression, while the 2022 installment ("Art for the People: The Earth") centered on environmental protection and climate change. The Embassy points applicants to existing visuals and digital materials from those prior exhibits, along with a feature story describing the foreign policy goals and impact of the 2021 project, to show the kind of public diplomacy approach and visibility they are aiming to replicate and expand.

"Art for the People: Using Our Voices" is organized around three required components. First is a street art exhibit under the "Using Our Voices" theme, designed to be a prominent public-facing showcase. Second are associated digital products intended to extend the exhibit's reach and support broader public diplomacy programming, which could include online content and other digital engagement materials tied to the exhibit and its themes. Third are public engagement programs for PRC citizens that involve selected "Using Our Voices" artists, emphasizing direct interaction such as talks, discussions, workshops, or similar formats that allow audiences to engage with artists and the ideas behind the work.

The Embassy identifies three priority program themes that should be clearly reflected in the proposed content and activities: democracy and human rights; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and civil society. Proposals are therefore expected to connect artistic work and public programming to these themes in a way that is understandable and meaningful to the intended audiences, while reinforcing the broader public diplomacy goal of increasing understanding of American values and the role of artistic expression in civic life.

In terms of basic eligibility and scale, the competition is limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The opportunity anticipated a single award, with an award ceiling of $150,000. The opportunity was posted January 18, 2023, with an original closing date of March 20, 2023.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to China in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Mission China Public Diplomacy Program: “Art for the People: Using Our Voices”" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 18, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 20, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for EAPBJ 23 CA 001 20230320

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