In a joint declaration, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) have announced an open call for a year-long museum fellowship initiative aimed at nurturing a fresh cadre of art and museum professionals across Africa.
Termed the Zeitz MOCAA & University of the Western Cape (UWC) Museum Fellowship Programme, its primary objective is to cultivate curatorial expertise and enhance scholarly discourse on contemporary art emanating from the continent. Now entering its third year in 2024, this pan-African venture seeks to amplify knowledge dissemination concerning curatorial practices, arts administration, and heritage management.
The fellowship relies on a comprehensive curriculum that senior staff from Zeitz MOCAA lead, providing participants with practical museum experience. Additionally, UWC’s Department of Historical Studies contributes academic rigor in art, heritage, and museum studies.
Zeitz MOCAA, a bastion of civic engagement, positions itself as a pivotal nexus for societal enrichment. Through public forums, exhibitions, research, and curation, it endeavors to unravel narratives pivotal to our comprehension of contemporary societies. Concurrently, UWC, renowned for its commitment to both local liberation histories and global educational excellence, serves as the academic backbone for the fellowship, fostering critical thinkers poised to tackle society’s evolving demands.
Over the course of the year-long fellowship, participants will immerse themselves in discourses encompassing contemporary art, curatorial practices, art education, conservation, heritage, and museology, both from Africa and its diaspora. Armed with this knowledge, fellows will pursue an accredited BA Honours qualification through coursework at UWC while gaining hands-on experience across various departments at Zeitz MOCAA, spanning Curatorial, Registrar & Collection Management, Exhibition Design, Art Education, and Institutional Advancement.
The programme presents an unparalleled opportunity for individuals aspiring to advance their careers within art institutions, galleries, and related domains. Situated in Cape Town, a burgeoning global art hub, participants will benefit from immersion in the city’s vibrant art scene, facilitating an in-depth exploration of its intricate networks and systems shaping the art and heritage landscape.
To facilitate participation, the programme covers tuition, accommodation, basic health insurance, and a monthly stipend. However, travel expenses to South Africa and visa costs are not included. Seven successful applicants will commit to a full-time engagement from February 2025 to January 2026, with eligibility criteria emphasizing a bachelor’s degree in relevant humanities fields, proficiency in English, and a demonstrated passion for contemporary African art and heritage.
Applications for the fellowship close on Sunday, 30 June 2024, with successful candidates notified by Monday, 5 August 2024. It is imperative to note that only the first 100 applications received will undergo review.
Both Zeitz MOCAA and UWC champion diversity across all spectrums, including gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, in alignment with the fellowship’s ethos. The Zeitz MOCAA & University of the Western Cape (UWC) Museum Fellowship Programme is generously supported by the Mellon Foundation.
For more information, find our Frequently Asked Questions here.
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/2025-ZM-UWC-Fellowship-Application
