Arian Moayed’s Waterwell Teams With Nonprofit Nimruz on Grant Program to Uplift Iranian Artists

Arian Moayed’s project, Waterwell, is collaborating with the nonprofit organization Nimruz to establish a grant initiative aimed at fostering new talent among Iranian artists and storytellers, allowing them to share their unique perspectives.

Named “Unseen Iran Artist Grants,” this initiative aims to support both emerging and established artists from the wider Iranian diaspora communities. The funding, guidance, and showcase for their works in various narrative fields such as film, theater, and more will be provided. Particular focus is given to pieces that delve into Iranian identity, cultural diversity, and modern-day concerns. Grants of $10,000 to $25,000 will be awarded to three to five artists. Applications are due by September 15th, and successful applicants will be notified on November 15th.

Moayed, star of Succession, emphasized that the rich tapestry of Iran’s culture, people, and artistic expression has been oversimplified into misleading headlines and harmful stereotypes. For years, we’ve seldom heard Iranian voices narrate their own stories without a Western perspective shaping the narrative. The ‘Unseen Iran’ grants offer a platform to our Iranian storytellers to produce art on their own terms, fostering a community and network of artists from diverse Iranian backgrounds.

Sepanta Mohseni, executive director at Nimruz, expressed: “We seek narratives that delve into themes of identity, camaraderie, and the rich tapestry of voices within our community, giving emphasis to those often unheard. Through our support, we aim to promote cultural reconciliation and unity, as well as nurture artists who embody the complexity and scope of contemporary Iran.

The announcement about the grants follows a collaboration between Waterwell and Nimruz in January, during which they jointly created programming to aid the “Blind Runner” production at St. Ann’s Warehouse. This unique production was conceived by the Iranian theater group Mehr Theatre Group and was part of the Under the Radar Festival, running for three weeks.

More information on the grants are here.

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2025-07-24 01:56