Black Rock Senegal, the artist-in-residence program founded by Kehinde Wiley, has opened its annual call for applications.
Established in 2019, the residency invites international artists to live and work in Dakar, Senegal, for a period of one to three months. The program takes its name from the volcanic rocks that cover the coastline near the residency’s site on the northwest edge of Dakar.
The initiative is multidisciplinary, welcoming practitioners working in painting, photography, sculpture, textile, film, sound, performance, and mixed media. The residency provides selected artists with individual studios, private accommodations and daily meals. It also includes access to communal facilities including a library, gym, sauna, pool, and gardens. Artists also receive a stipend to support their production and participation in local cultural activities.
Individuals aged 18 and above can now apply by submitting their applications through the program’s online portal. Required materials include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and a digital portfolio. Applicants must organize portfolios by “Projects,” grouping works by series or medium. They must label each file with the artwork’s title, year, medium, and a description. The selection committee will not consider applications that do not follow these specifications. The program does not charge an application fee.
Since its founding, Black Rock Senegal has drawn attention for its international selection panel, which has included artists, curators, museum directors, writers, and cultural leaders. Past jurors and advisors have included Osei Bonsu (Tate Modern), Thelma Golden (Studio Museum in Harlem), Mickalene Thomas, Carrie Mae Weems, Adam Weinberg (Whitney Museum of American Art), and others.
The deadline to apply for the 2025 residency cycle is April 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Final selections will be announced in July 2025.
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