Oettinger Davidoff AG, the worldwide leading manufacturer of premium cigars headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, announced two new recipients of Davidoff Art Grants during Art Basel in Miami Beach, along with the evolution of plans for an international residency in the Dominican Republic. These programs are part of the Davidoff Art Initiative, which was launched in 2012 with the mission of supporting contemporary art and artists in the Caribbean and Dominican Republic, fostering cultural engagement between the Caribbean and the rest of the world.
Davidoff Art Grants assist local cultural organizations and institutions in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean region with small and medium-sized awards. A limited number of grants are provided each year to meet the specific needs of organizations working to promote visual art in the region. Under the terms of the Davidoff grants, ARC Magazine will receive a monthly stipend for one year to fund capacity development related to its editorial growth.
"With the Davidoff Art Grants, we have an opportunity to offer specialized support to cultural organizations and institutions in the Dominican Republic, tailored to the needs of each organization," said Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, president and CEO of Oettinger Davidoff AG. "Davidoff Cigars has a role in ensuring the sustainability of these organizations and by extension, the cultural community of the Dominican Republic. This is the core aim of the Davidoff Art Initiative."
"Receiving recognition of this caliber outside of our regular working locale is very exciting for the longevity and the sustainable development of ARC," states Holly Bynoe, director of ARC Magazine. "The Davidoff Art Initiative Grant will assist ARC's core team to be more autonomous while providing us with the ability to take editorial risks, as well as confirming security and continuing scholarship, study and outreach. We are excited to be moving into the new year and plan for a dynamic round of programming and activities that will reflect the merit of this grant."

About the Davidoff Art Initiative
The Davidoff Art Initiative supports contemporary art and artists in the Caribbean, strengthens art organizations in the Dominican Republic, shares knowledge and expertise about contemporary art, and fosters cultural engagement between the Caribbean and the rest of the world. At the core of the art initiative, Davidoff aims to give back to the cultural community in the Dominican Republic, where much of its production and so many of its employees are based, bringing opportunity and visibility to the art and culture of the Caribbean region while extending the company's long-standing commitment to artistry, craftsmanship, community and quality. The Davidoff Art Initiative's four global program areas are: the Davidoff Art Residency, Davidoff Art Dialogues, Davidoff Art Grants and Davidoff Art Editions.

About ARC
ARC Inc. is a nonprofit organization that publishes ARC Magazine, printed bi-annually and that operates an online and social platform since 2011. ARC seeks to fill a certain void by offering a critical space for contemporary Caribbean artists to present their work, while fostering and developing critical dialogues and opportunities for crucial points of cultural exchange. ARC's mission is to build awareness for Caribbean art by fostering exchanges and opportunities that expand creative culture, within the visual arts industry across the wider Caribbean and its diasporas.

o Originally published on arcthemagazine.com.

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