The idea
We are MEWSo and we support Middle Eastern, North African, and Asian migrant women to rebuild their lives. We hope to aspire to a society where every woman lives in safety with equal opportunities, regardless of their background.
We would like to use a Spacehive project to fund an Arts Festival for our Step Up for Migrants Campaign. The campaign aims to show that our society, our media, and our government don't treat migrant women with the respect and dignity they deserve. We want to give them a real voice and show they are more than just statistics.
Our project would provide our clients (migrant women) from underrepresented backgrounds a chance to showcase their real talent and tell their stories through artwork. This means they can tell their stories anonymously and without fear or favor and overcomes the language barrier.
Giving these women a chance to show their talent and tell their stories without placing them in harm's way means they create a genuine connection, anonymously.
What we'll deliver
- Deliver an Arts show - available online, for free to everyone
- Provide materials to up to fifty clients for them to create art
Why it's a great idea
Our project will have clear benefits for our clients and the public. This project will give our clients a chance to tell their life stories in an accessible way. This will enhance their emotional, spiritual, and mental health as many of them are in isolation during Covid-19. By connecting these women and protecting their identity, we hope to bring the community together in a safe and caring environment.
Beyond that, we know our audience and our wider London community will see the work that our clients have produced and will connect with them emotionally. We think that by personalising our client's experiences, they will be seen as more than numbers or names on a page. This will mean that our audience will see migrant women in a different light - changing their attitudes towards them (previously created by the government and the media).
This project will also bring attention to MEWSo. We work with over 500 clients per year and are looking to grow our awareness and promote awareness.
Steps to get it done
- Buying materials for up to fifty migrant women.
- Connecting with up to fifty migrant women (including previous clients) and connecting with them about their art.
- Creating a deadline for art pieces and organising a online festival and submission pictures
- Inviting clients and people to the festival - making sure its advertised
For more information on our charity, our project, or our campaign - please contact [email protected] or click on this link https://www.mewso.org/migrant-women.