Open call: International ARC and Alliance Française residency programme in Botswana

The residence programme is open to femme-identifying artists of African nationality, descent or from the African diaspora working and living outside of Botswana. The purpose of this residency is to promote the mobility of artists and to enlarge their network. For the local artist community in Botswana, it is an opportunity to meet with and engage with an international resident and share their knowledge and resources both ways to foster future links.

In terms of accessibility, the ARC is not fully equipped to welcome people with disabilities. The residency is only open to a single-person resident without an accompanying partner or child.

Successful applicants will benefit from:

• Apartment accommodation in Gaborone in a furnished living place (bedroom, shower, kitchen and Wi-Fi).
• A studio office in Gaborone.
• A specific artistic and professional accompaniment: access to the networks and library resources of the two partners.
• Regular studio visits with local artists in Gaborone.
• Trips to areas and artistic communities outside of Gaborone (e.g. Kuru Art Project, D’kar, Ghanzi). This will be tailored to the needs and relevance of the recipient’s artistic project.

The programme includes:

• International transportation to and from Gaborone (excluding VISA and travel insurance expenses).
• A grant for living expenses.
• A production grant for producing work.
• A presentation and a closing event are to be defined according to the recipient’s project.
• Visits to two public secondary schools and one private school to meet local students.
• Four in-person workshops for the local community in Gaborone, to be defined by the recipient.

Eligibility

• Be a femme-identifying person
• Be fluent in speaking and writing in English.
• Be of any African nationality.
• Residing outside of Botswana at the time of applying.
• Be at least 21 years old on the application deadline (21 January 2024).
• Be able to provide proof of professional artistic activity for at least three years.

Required documents

• Artist Statement.
• CV.
• Artwork/portfolio.
• Application forms.

Applicants files must contain the following elements:

• Completed online application form (to be filled in via Google Forms).
• A detailed CV or resume.
• A detailed PDF portfolio or evidence of artistic projects via website links.

Interested artists should apply here before 21 January.

View the original call here.