One day Jax and Max check out the UNMUTE Arts Challenge landing page. Their hearts are stirred. Jax and Max sense that UNMUTE is the kind of challenge they feel called to be a part of. They browse through the concept notes on Creation Care, Workplace Ministry, Freedom and Justice, and Families and Children. They attend a few “town hall” meetings on second Saturdays, join the UNMUTE WhatsApp community, and begin working on their proposal.
However, as soon as they start, they run into problems, mainly with scheduling and carving dedicated time to clarify the issue—what to do and how to go about it. They realize, UNMUTE isn’t simply about creating art to be hung on a wall somewhere. Instead, this was about integrating their hopes and desires for their world, the world as it ought to be in the light of the beauty of the Gospel, and coming up with effective ways to engage their community authentically.
Should they focus on freedom and justice, climate crises, social media and its influence on teens, or specific workplace issues? Should they work on visual art, create a series of short videos, or choreograph a dance? What if ultimately they put in all the work and people don’t buy it, literally, or are unmoved by it? What steps could they take to anticipate and mitigate the problem of creating something no one cares about, or don’t feel passionate enough to engage it personally with their active support and eager participation?
Through prayer, fasting, and purposeful commitment, they take the plunge to give it their best shot since, ultimately, this was not merely about what they could come up with but first about what Christ requires. However, they must consider several issues carefully, especially time and budget....
Check out How we go about it and What we hope for HERE to get a sense of The Big Idea. As you review the material, consider what metrics emerge that could help measure and evaluate our progress.
Check out The plan…roughly HERE.
Awareness — people generally know there are problems, but what specific information will you convey that is interestingly different from the dominant understanding or narrative on the topic?
Interest — how does it (the art) invite people to think about issues more profoundly, inviting awe, wonder, and deep attraction to Christ and concern about the things Christ cares about?
Desire — what are some ways that people can whet their appetite for your creation? How can they try it out, do something, etc., to get a taste and a feel so they want more of it? Think about: what was it about the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) that made her want to go out and tell the world about Jesus? Something unmuted within her.
Engage — In what ways does our artwork product and process allow people to participate and take action to “save the world” or “make this world a better place” or be transformed into a community with others in some way, etc.?
Who are the people you are hoping to reach with this idea? What metaphors, symbols, and stories best speak to these people? The more focused and specific we are on the people we try to reach, the better.
Then, we are better prepared to respond to how best we might create the context for people to become more aware, interested, desiring, and engaging with the Spirit of Creation.
Getting a sense of the concept: What issue will you focus on? Who will collaborate with you on the project.
Explore working together with your team by establishing a covenant to gather, engage Scripture, meditate on key themes and passages pertaining to your project, and work together on your project. This is the main fun part! Enjoy it.
Select a person from your team who will document your journey and upload it to the UNMUTE site/chat on a regular basis.
Submit proposal
Receive feedback
If selected, work on and submit final artwork by the deadline.
Check out the What we hope for section HERE (scroll down).
Specific outputs: visual art, video of dance choreography, music recording, music video etc.
Other:
Optional: UNMUTE retreat last two weeks in June 2024 in the US (tentative for now; details to follow).
All participants must affirm in principle the Lausanne Covenant and Order of Bezalel Creativity Covenant.
Form your own team consisting of a few people you work with on a regular basis or put together a new team.
Put out a call on the UMUTE Connect group if you’d like to form a new team to work on specific projects or parts of specific projects.
Reach out for help. For example, if you need visual input you could ask for help from visual artists in the community.
Stay connected on the issue specific UNMUTE WhatsApp issue network group to share updates, exchange ideas on scriptural and cultural issues, share best practices, and learn from others.
Begin with a clear pitch, 1- 2 sentences.
Provide a brief description of the artwork — context, the problem, the solution you are proposing through your artwork
Further details: what exactly will you be doing, where, with whom, why is this urgent and crucial? What research is involved? What steps are you taking to make it possible?
Process of engaging Scripture (how you plan on doing this), collaborating with others, and how the work addresses the issue at the various touch points (awareness, interest, call to action)
Copy of covenant agreement between collaborators
Timeline of work
How does this project connect to, depart or build on past work?
How will your work and career advance or develop?
How will you make this happen?
What resources will you need? How will you get them?
When will the project take place?
Where will it be exhibited, performed, or published?
See: https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/art/how-to-write-better-artist-grant for ideas