Across Africa, a dynamic array of residency programs is fostering innovation and excellence for artists and curators. These initiatives offer artists the opportunity to conceptualize, experiment, and produce new works, while curators can research, conceptualize, and develop exhibitions that showcase the continent’s rich cultural heritage. By providing a supportive environment for artistic production, research, and collaboration, these programs empower artists and curators to advance their practices, spark new ideas, and contribute to the continent’s thriving cultural landscape.
In this feature, 10 residency programs across Africa that provide unique opportunities for artists and curators to develop their skills and showcase their work will be highlighted.
1. Gallery Momo (South Africa):
RESIDENCY@MOMO offers a sanctuary for artists to escape daily pressures and immerse themselves in meaningful creative exploration. Designed as a poetic world, this residency prioritizes experimentation, cultural exchange, and connection beyond geographic and national boundaries. Located in Johannesburg, it fosters interactions between South African and international artists, emphasizing growth over immediate outcomes like exhibitions. Recent residency programs include the School of Art Institute Chicago and Gallery MOMO’s Collaborative Residency 2024 with Nik Cho, as well as Into A Beat of Time and Sideways with Tatenda Magaisa. For application details, visit Gallery Momo’s website or email them.
2. Galerie Farah Fakhri (Côte d’Ivoire):
Galerie Farah Fakhri’s residency program invites artists from Africa, the diaspora, and the Caribbean to engage with Ivory Coast’s vibrant artistic community. Launched in December 2022, the program fosters creative growth and dialogue across cultures, offering artists opportunities for research, experimentation, and the development of new work to be showcased at the gallery. Beyond exhibitions, the gallery extends its impact through offsite projects, pairing established names with emerging talents to amplify innovative practices. Founder Farah Fakhri envisions the gallery as a cultural hub for artistic exchange, networking, and global connections.
Recent residencies include Keren Lasme (March 2024), Sesse Elangwe (January–February 2024), and Samson Bakare (October 2023), each bringing a distinct creative energy to the program. Artists eager to embark on this enriching journey can explore opportunities on Galerie Farah Fakhri’s official website or reach out via email.
3. Fondation Zinsou Residency (Benin):
Since 2007, the Fondation Zinsou Residency has been a dynamic platform supporting contemporary art creation in Africa and beyond. Open to artists worldwide, this program fosters the development of artistic projects by offering selected participants dedicated time, space, and resources in the vibrant cities of Ouidah and Cotonou, Benin. The residency provides artists with the essential support, including access to equipment and guidance from experienced mentors, allowing them to fully immerse in their creative processes. The restitution of each residency can take various forms, from exhibitions and workshops to publications and conferences, all contributing to the broader cultural dialogue.
Over the years, the program has hosted a diverse array of renowned artists such as Jeremy Demester, Baudouin Mouanda, Andrew Esiebo, and Fabrice Monteiro, further solidifying its role as a significant player in the African and global contemporary art scene. Artists interested in applying can submit their portfolio, cover letter, and artistic project via email to the Zinsou Foundation.
4. Guest Artists Space Foundation (G.A.S.) (Nigeria):
In Lagos, the Guest Artists Space Foundation (G.A.S.) provides a vibrant haven for multidisciplinary artists, researchers, and curators. Through its residency programs, G.A.S. fosters creative exchange, collaboration, and innovation. Past residents include visionary artists like Liz Kobusinge and Shabu Mwangi. Liz is a community-taught artist who explores the intersection of eco-printing, painting, and memory, creating textured, layered works that honor traditional art-making practices and envision a thriving future for both the earth and communities. Shabu, a Nairobi-based multidisciplinary painter and sculptor, delves into the effects of structural violence and marginalization on individual and collective psyches, crafting powerful mixed media compositions that express societal and cultural fissures. G.A.S. also nurtures curatorial talent, as seen in Phokeng Setai’s work intersecting contemporary art, urban studies, and architectural practice.
The G.A.S. Fellowship Award, in partnership with the Yinka Shonibare Foundation, offers a fully-funded six-week residency for outstanding mid-career professionals based in Africa. This award is part of Project Nexus, a residency and education program empowering artists, art educators, and curators through residencies, workshops, and educational initiatives. Although the current application cycle is closed, G.A.S. announces future open calls on their website and social media channels.
5. Bag Factory Artists’ Studios (South Africa):
The Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, located on the border of Fordsburg and Newtown in Johannesburg, has been a cornerstone of South Africa’s art scene for over 33 years. Known for its inclusive and collaborative ethos, the space brings together a dynamic community of artists from diverse backgrounds to experiment, exchange ideas, and grow within Johannesburg’s vibrant cultural hub. The Bag Factory offers several residency opportunities tailored to early and mid-career artists and curators.
Visiting Artist Residencies, which run for one to three months, provide participants with studio space to create new work while engaging with local artists and Johannesburg’s creative ecosystem. The residencies culminate in an Open Studio event, where artists showcase their creations. Participants must donate one piece to support the organization’s sustainability. Similarly, the Visiting Curator Residency program, launched in 2019 as South Africa’s first international curatorial initiative, enables curators to research, network, and develop projects like exhibitions or community outreach events.
For those able to self-finance, the Bag Factory offers a self-funded artist residency program, starting at $500 per month, which includes studio space and facilitation of the artist’s stay. These residencies are flexible, lasting two months or longer, with artists responsible for covering additional costs like travel, accommodation, and subsistence. Additionally, the Bag Factory has programmatic residencies which are tied to its annual awards and organizational projects, creating structured opportunities for young artists and curators to experiment and build their portfolios through mentorship and feedback from industry professionals.
Applications for these residencies are accepted only through open calls, which are announced on the organization’s website and social media platforms. Interested applicants are encouraged to stay updated and can reach out for more information through their email. Through its residencies and projects, the Bag Factory remains a vital force in nurturing artistic innovation and fostering cross-cultural dialogue within and beyond Africa. Some alumni include Tawanda Takura, a Zimbabwean artist who repurposes old shoes into thought-provoking sculptures, and Refiloe Namise, a Johannesburg-based multi-disciplinary artist.
6. Silhouette Projects (Uganda):
Silhouette Projects, Afriart Gallery’s professional development division, is dedicated to nurturing the careers of emerging African artists. Through its Artist in Residence Program (SP-AIR), the initiative provides a dynamic environment where artists can focus on their work, develop new ideas, and connect with a broader network. The program’s long-term impact is rooted in its support of professional growth, offering mentorship, visibility through exhibitions, and participation in art fairs, biennales, and museum shows. Located in Kampala’s bustling old industrial area, the 150sqm warehouse studio and residence offer an inspiring space for creativity.
Designed to host not only artists but also workshops, performances, and presentations, the space includes a bar, coffee shop, and co-working areas that are integral to the city’s art scene. SP-AIR supports artists with production needs, lodging, and travel while fostering an engaged community. Over three months, selected artists will work in various disciplines, from painting and sculpture to performance art, while benefiting from tailored mentorship and a curriculum focused on research and development. Their 2023 Artists-in-Residence include Fiker Solomon, Daniel Atenyi, and Amani Askari. Interested artists can submit their portfolios through their email at art@afriartgallery.org or AAG@afriartgallery.org
7. The GUILD Residency – Southern Guild Gallery (South Africa):
The GUILD Residency, established in 2022, is an international studio program welcoming artists and designers from around the world to engage with an African context. Located in Cape Town’s CBD, the 350 sqm work-living space offers an immersive environment for artists to explore new inspirations, motivations, and exchanges in a fresh setting. Largely self-directed, the residency provides a focused, private space ideal for independent, self-motivated artists seeking minimal distractions. Participants are encouraged to develop a project over a set period, with opportunities to work toward a solo presentation in the gallery or at an international fair. Highlights of the program include conceptual discussions with Southern Guild’s curatorial team, tailored programming to fit the artist’s needs, networking with local artisans and suppliers, technical guidance for ambitious projects, and the chance to host an open studio at the residency’s conclusion.
The open-plan space includes an expansive studio, adjoining living areas, and eclectic furnishings by celebrated South African artists, creating a creative and comfortable environment. Conveniently located near Cape Town’s cultural and natural landmarks, the residency offers easy access to galleries, beaches, and vibrant city life. The program is open to emerging and established artists working in diverse mediums, with a focus on African artists, though international applicants interested in collaborating with local artisans are welcome. Curators, cultural researchers, and creators in need of a space to brainstorm and generate ideas are also encouraged to apply. Residencies typically last 3 weeks to 2 months, with Southern Guild covering accommodation, local flights, agreed-upon production materials, and logistical support. Artists may also bring families or studio assistants.
Recent alumni include Ayotunde Ojo, a Nigerian painter whose work delves into the emotional depths of human relationships and experiences, inspired by intimate daily moments, unspoken gestures, and the quietude of interior spaces. Another is Xanthe Somers, a Zimbabwean ceramic artist, crafts hand-coiled works disrupted with intricate details, blending playfulness with sharp commentary on overconsumption, exploitative labor, and environmental racism in the Global South. Applications, which include a CV, photographs of selected works, an overview of the artist’s practice, and a brief project proposal, can be submitted via email.
8. Montresso Art Foundation Residency (Morocco):
Since 2009, Montresso Art Foundation in Morocco has been a vibrant space dedicated to artistic creation and contemporary research. Its residency program, exhibitions, and partnerships foster cultural exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue, guiding artists toward unexplored horizons. Celebrating art’s power to inspire self-reflection, provoke emotion, and challenge perceptions, the foundation proudly embraces its role as a Passeur d’Art.
Recent residents include Francis Agemo, Ishola Akpo and Mbaye Babacar Diouf. The foundation opens applications for the residency program on December 15, 2024, and closes them at midnight on January 27, 2025. Applicants can submit their applications on the website. A selection committee, including the founder, artistic directors, and foundation experts, will review submissions, with pre-selection results announced by the end of February. Winners will be revealed on March 24, 2025.
9. The Arak Collection’s Curatorial Fellowship Program (Qatar & South Africa):
The Arak Collection, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg’s FADA Gallery, invites emerging curators to apply for its 2025-26 fellowship program. This prestigious initiative aims to support young and mid-career curators based on the African continent, providing a unique opportunity to research, develop, and realize an exhibition of works from the Arak Collection. Two selected curators will receive a 10-month fellowship, commencing with an initial visit to the collection in Doha, Qatar, in April 2025. Benefits include a monthly stipend of $400, logistical support from the Arak Collection’s team, and mentorship from a distinguished Advisory Committee. The fellowship will culminate in an exhibition at the FADA Gallery in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Eligible candidates must submit a proposal, CV, writing samples, and budget breakdown via the online application portal by February 8, 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews between February 22 and March 1, 2025. Successful applicants will be notified on March 7, 2025.
10. Nirox Foundation Residency (South Africa):
The Nirox Foundation Residency, nestled in the heart of South Africa’s Cradle of Humankind, offers artists an extraordinary sanctuary to create and connect. Its carefully designed facilities include a two-bedroom house overlooking the serene Sculpture Park, equipped with a soaring double-volume studio, mezzanine workspace, and an open-fronted sculpture workshop. Nearby, a self-contained cottage gazes westward over tranquil waters, providing both solitude and inspiration. Artists also have access to the Coolroom Complex, a versatile creative hub featuring a workshop, screening room, curator’s office, and additional studio spaces.
Life at Nirox is a seamless blend of artistic focus and communal exchange. Residents enjoy fully serviced accommodations, lovingly prepared meals, reliable rural Wi-Fi, and hands-on support from an expert team for sourcing materials and executing ambitious projects. The breathtaking 30-hectare Sculpture Park, shared with the public on weekends, invites reflection, while the adjoining 1000-hectare Khatlhaphi Private Nature Reserve offers a wilderness of rolling hills and vibrant wildlife.
Engagement lies at the heart of the residency. The program encourages artists to interact with the park’s visitors, participate in cultural events at the on-site restaurant …And Then There Was Fire, and collaborate with local communities. A particular highlight is the opportunity to contribute to the life-changing work of the Columba Leadership Academy, which uplifts underserved South African youth. Connections with museums, galleries, and institutions further enrich this dynamic creative journey. In contrast to adhering to a rigid program, the residency instead fosters organic exploration and collaboration.
Some of the artists who have attended their residencies include Serge Alain Nitegeka, Joseph Awuah-Darko, and Thuthuka Sibisi. While there is no formal application process, interested artists are invited to begin a conversation by emailing the foundation. Submissions should include a CV, portfolio, artist statement, and a brief explanation of their interest in the residency. As a gesture of their time at Nirox, residents are required to leave behind a work or contribution to the foundation’s archives—a lasting testament to their creative dialogue with this remarkable environment.
