88 aspirations, 88 narratives that yearn to be told, and 88 storytellers who dared to dream big. The response to the USK Reportage Grant surpassed all expectations, leaving us in awe of the creativity and passion that flow within our community.

Today, after careful consideration by the Selection Committee, we are thrilled to reveal the names of the remarkable recipients of the USK Reportage Grant. Each recipient has displayed a strong commitment to urban sketching and a determination to capture the essence of life’s wonders and challenges.

The Recipients

Here is the selection.

• Inside the French Parliament, Paris (France) by Marielle Durand
• Old New Villages, Selangor (Malaysia) by Aaron Gan
• A Visual Legacy of War: 20 years on from the invasion of Iraq, Erbil (Iraq) by Matthew Gibbons
• My Floating City, Canadian Arctic and St. Lawrence River (Canada) by Émilie Goulet
• The Refugees Welcome North Somerset Hub Opens Its Doors, Weston-Super-Mare (United Kingdom) by Niki Groom
• Surviving the Heat: Visual Stories of Saudi Arabia’s Summer​​, Saudi Arabia by Kristina Matveeva
• The Stepwells Project, Western Maharashtra State (India) by Manish Pimpley
• Documenting the Life and Death of Olive Trees along an Ancient Pilgrimage Route in Southern Italy, Region of Puglia (Italy) by Amanda Roelle
• Jaffa Flea Market Stories, Jaffa (Israel) by Irena Spector
• To Save a River, Pune (India) by Niloufer Wadia

With exceptional reportage proposals before us, we’re thrilled and eagerly anticipate the reportages to come.

Next Steps

Winning proposals will now receive a grant in the amount ranging from $300-500 USD in order to offset expenses related to the project before the work on the project. The authors will have until December 15, 2023 to complete the proposed project including the completion of at least 12 on-location sketches that tell the story in a reportage format.

We will share the reportages cross channel, so keep an eye out!

Important Timelines to Consider:
January 1-June 1, 2023 Proposal Submission Period
July 15-25, 2023 Winners are announced
December 31, 2023 Final projects are due

The Stories to Look Forward to

(ordered alphabetically by the recipients name)

Inside the French Parliament, Paris (France) by Marielle Durand

Marielle Durand’s reportage project revolves around the historical milestone of granting professional artists the right to draw the debates in the French Parliament. Since October, she has been diligently attending the “QAG” sessions, using red and blue color pencils to illustrate the key moments and ambiance of the discussions. While the renowned “Hemicycle” is her primary canvas, Marielle also explores other corners of the parliamentary world through her drawings. A story waiting to be told.
Instagram

Old New Villages, Selangor (Malaysia) by Aaron Gan

In Selangor, Malaysia, Aaron Gan’s reportage project embarks on documenting 12 former new village sites amidst their rapid transformation. Government-led rejuvenation efforts seek to convert these areas into tourist destinations, with the intention of fostering community ties between older and younger generations. Aaron’s work will preserve the essence of their history while celebrating the coalescence of tradition and progress. Will these changes signify a more promising future?
Instagram

A Visual Legacy of War: 20 Years On From the Invasion of Iraq, Erbil (Iraq) by Matthew Gibbons

In his reportage project, Matthew Gibbons delves into the legacy of the 2003 Iraq war, observing its impact on northern Iraqi-Kurdistan, specifically around Erbil. Through watercolor and ink illustrations, he plans to explore themes like the built environment, generational changes, and adaptation in the region. Through his art, he hopes to shed light on lesser-known aspects of the region and showcase the social impact of reportage illustration.
Instagram

My Floating City, Canadian Arctic and St. Lawrence River (Canada) by Émilie Goulet

Emilie Goulet’s reportage project captures life on the Amundsen, an extraordinary Icebreaker ship with a city-like structure. She highlights its role in assisting shipping during winter ice conditions and its scientific expeditions to the Canadian Arctic. Through sketches and captivating texts, Emilie showcases the ship’s amenities, encounters with polar bears, and its powerful engine room. A unique perspective from within.
Instagram

The Refugees Welcome North Somerset Hub Opens its Doors, Weston-Super-Mare (United Kingdom) by Niki Groom

Niki Groom’s reportage project centers on Refugees Welcome North Somerset, a grassroots charity reclaiming a disused estate agents in Weston Super Mare. Using sketches, she will chronicle the opening’s initial months, highlighting the space’s progression and its purposeful transformation under the charity’s guidance. With a diverse group of refugees at the forefront of decision-making, Niki’s reportage showcases the meaningful impact they create.
Instagram

Surviving the Heat: Visual Stories of Saudi Arabia’s Summer​​, Saudi Arabia by Kristina Matveeva

In her reportage project, Kristina Matveeva explores Saudi Arabia’s local summer experience. Focusing on the capital due to the summer’s challenges, she documents how people adapt and cope with extreme heat. The project highlights cultural practices, historic preservation efforts, and workplace adaptations, underscoring Saudi Arabian society’s resilience in confronting challenging climatic conditions. By capturing daily life and coping mechanisms, Kristina’s sketches offer an intimate portrayal of how residents endure and thrive in the face of scorching temperatures. Information that might come in handy to us all?
Instagram

The Stepwells Project, Western Maharashtra State (India) by Manish Pimpley

Manish Pimpley’s reportage project ventures into the world of stepwells, exploring India’s water conservation history. His sketches will portray the architectural marvels, diverse cultural contexts, and historical narratives associated with these structures. Through artistic documentation, Manish aims to contribute to their preservation, inspire fellow urban sketchers, and promote intercultural exchange. The project will capture intricate details, spatial layouts, and people’s activities, showcasing the beauty and significance of stepwells.
Instagram

Documenting the Life and Death of Olive Trees along an Ancient Pilgrimage Route in Southern Italy, Region of Puglia (Italy) by Amanda Roelle

Amanda Roelle’s reportage project focuses on documenting the impact of an incurable disease on olive trees in Southern Italy’s Puglia region. Through sketch reportage along the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route, she aims to capture the dramatic changes in landscape and society caused by the disease. By recording people’s stories and adaptation efforts, Amanda’s project sheds light on the emotional significance of these ancient trees and the innovative measures taken to combat the disease.
Website

Jaffa Flea Market Stories, Jaffa (Israel) by Irena Spector

Irena Spector’s reportage project focuses on the vibrant Jaffa Flea Market, an outdoor secondhand and antique shopping extravaganza in Israel. Through graphics and sketches, she plans to tell the captivating stories of various establishments, including an antique shop, an Arab cafe, and a Jewish music club.Despite the complexities of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the flea market thrives with mutual understanding and cooperation. Irena’s project seeks to reveal the market’s special charm.
Instagram

To Save a River, Pune (India) by Niloufer Wadia

Niloufer Wadia’s reportage project revolves around a citizen movement to save a river in Pune. Initially supporting her daughter’s community service with a local NGO, Jeevitnadi, Niloufer became inspired to sketch and document the river’s condition. Engaging in awareness events and protests, she aims to chronicle the citizen’s fight to rejuvenate the polluted river. Through sketches, she will capture the river’s moods, seasons, and various events. Will this reportage encourage others to take action as well?
Instagram

About the USK Reportage Grant

In our effort to bring focus to the storytelling aspect of the USk Mission we called on sketchers around the world to send us reportage project proposals. The USk Reportage Grant Program is designed to highlight the best examples of these efforts and to inspire new artist-reporters in our community.

Discover everything about the USK Reportage Grant on this page.