The criteria for the awarding of grants were recognizable artistic merit and a demonstrable commitment to address social issues.

The grants strive to work with a multitude of art forms such as film, music and theatre and the diverse community it supports includes artists, academics, writers and education officers.

The launch was held as an official ceremony to recognize these 12 grantees and their vision as well as to encourage their efforts.

The selection process was by a distinguished panel of independent evaluators that comprised of recognized specialists in the fields of art and social integration. The 12 awardees are:

§  Dreamforge - Delon Weerasinghe
§  Sirahununi - M.I. Jafir
§  Music Matters - Sumudi Suraweera
§  Vilimbuhal - Sumathy Sivamohan
§  X 10 - Sudath Mahadivulwewa
§  Kandy Kathak Kendra - Veronika Dassanayaka
§  CPBR - Prof. Jayantha Seneviratne
§  Contemporary Art Commune - Malaka Dewapriya
§  SDRO Trincomalee - A. Jathindra
§  NAFSO - Jayathilake Bandara
§  Vibhavi - Chandragupta Thenuwara
§  Trikone - Dharmasiri Bandaranayaka

Art linK believes that the 12 grantees will generate powerful art that brings benefits to the public and artists alike.

Art linK is implemented by Facilitating Initiatives for Social Cohesion and Transformation (GIZ-FLICT), which is a bilateral cooperation programme between the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, Local Government and Democratic Governance.

Art LinK is jointly financed by BMZ, the European Union, and the Esufally Family Foundation.

FLICT has been in existence for more than 12 years and has been a catalyst in supporting art and culture activities for social integration in Sri Lanka since its inception.