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© 2026 Kyekyekule Africa. All rights reserved.
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Residencies, grants, fairs and open calls for African artists
September 30, 2026
CCA, Lagos, in collaboration with Goethe-Institut, IFRA-Nigeria, and MOWAA, presents Archival Constellations
CCA, Lagos, in collaboration with Goethe-Institut, IFRA-Nigeria, and MOWAA, is inviting early- to mid-career practitioners to apply for a residency focused on research, memory, and the role of archives in shaping historical narratives. The three-year programme embeds residents within the collections of CCA Lagos, Goethe-Institut, FRA-Nigeria, and MOWAA, with each resident expected to develop an original public outcome from their research.
The programme selects two residents per year and combines training, archival research, and production. Priority will be given to practitioners whose work engages with memory politics, digital archiving, or institutional critique.
Who can apply:
Eligibility:
What residents receive:
Residents are required to develop and share a publicly accessible outcome by the end of the programme and must follow each partner archive’s policies on access, handling, reproduction, copyright, and confidentiality.
How to apply: Submit a completed application form, statement of interest, and CV through the Archival Constellations application page.
September 30, 2026
CCA, Lagos, in collaboration with Goethe-Institut, IFRA-Nigeria, and MOWAA, presents Archival Constellations
CCA, Lagos, in collaboration with Goethe-Institut, IFRA-Nigeria, and MOWAA, is inviting early- to mid-career practitioners to apply for a residency focused on research, memory, and the role of archives in shaping historical narratives. The three-year programme embeds residents within the collections of CCA Lagos, Goethe-Institut, FRA-Nigeria, and MOWAA, with each resident expected to develop an original public outcome from their research.
The programme selects two residents per year and combines training, archival research, and production. Priority will be given to practitioners whose work engages with memory politics, digital archiving, or institutional critique.
Who can apply:
Eligibility:
What residents receive:
Residents are required to develop and share a publicly accessible outcome by the end of the programme and must follow each partner archive’s policies on access, handling, reproduction, copyright, and confidentiality.
How to apply: Submit a completed application form, statement of interest, and CV through the Archival Constellations application page.
September 20, 2026
Photo Credit: Cheuka Harare Art Fair
Cheuka Harare Art Fair (CHAF) is inviting artists, artist-run initiatives, collectives, residency programmes, and art collectors to submit proposals for its 2026 edition.
This year’s fair focuses on the communities shaping contemporary African art and the stories that deserve to be seen, shared, and remembered. The open call offers an opportunity for different voices and art communities to become part of a wider platform celebrating contemporary artistic practice across Africa.
CHAF welcomes proposals from individuals and organisations working across the contemporary art ecosystem, creating space for artists, collectives, independent initiatives, residency programmes, and collectors to participate in the fair.
The Cheuka Harare Art Fair 2026 will take place from 17 to 19 November 2026 at the Harare Showgrounds in Zimbabwe.
Key Details
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Fair Dates: 17–19 November 2026
Venue: Harare Showgrounds
Who Can Apply: Artists, artist-run initiatives, collectives, residency programmes, and art collectors
Submission Deadline: 20 September 2026
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their proposals via email:
cheukaharareartfair@gmail.com
Submission Deadline: 20 September 2026
For artists and art communities interested in contributing to conversations around contemporary African art, CHAF 2026 presents an opportunity to share their work, stories, and ideas on a growing platform in Harare.
September 20, 2026
Photo Credit: Cheuka Harare Art Fair
Cheuka Harare Art Fair (CHAF) is inviting artists, artist-run initiatives, collectives, residency programmes, and art collectors to submit proposals for its 2026 edition.
This year’s fair focuses on the communities shaping contemporary African art and the stories that deserve to be seen, shared, and remembered. The open call offers an opportunity for different voices and art communities to become part of a wider platform celebrating contemporary artistic practice across Africa.
CHAF welcomes proposals from individuals and organisations working across the contemporary art ecosystem, creating space for artists, collectives, independent initiatives, residency programmes, and collectors to participate in the fair.
The Cheuka Harare Art Fair 2026 will take place from 17 to 19 November 2026 at the Harare Showgrounds in Zimbabwe.
Key Details
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Fair Dates: 17–19 November 2026
Venue: Harare Showgrounds
Who Can Apply: Artists, artist-run initiatives, collectives, residency programmes, and art collectors
Submission Deadline: 20 September 2026
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their proposals via email:
cheukaharareartfair@gmail.com
Submission Deadline: 20 September 2026
For artists and art communities interested in contributing to conversations around contemporary African art, CHAF 2026 presents an opportunity to share their work, stories, and ideas on a growing platform in Harare.
September 20, 2026
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Moeshen Art Gallery
Moeshen Art Gallery is inviting artists to submit works for an upcoming exhibition featuring 20 artists and 20 individual works.
The open call welcomes artists working across painting, sculpture, mixed media, and other artistic forms. Each selected artist will have one work included in the exhibition.
Selected artists: 20
Selected works: 20
Eligibility: Artists working across different artistic forms
Submission: Artwork application
WhatsApp: 09060002518
Email: moeshenabuja@gmail.com
Deadline: 20 September 2026
September 20, 2026
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Moeshen Art Gallery
Moeshen Art Gallery is inviting artists to submit works for an upcoming exhibition featuring 20 artists and 20 individual works.
The open call welcomes artists working across painting, sculpture, mixed media, and other artistic forms. Each selected artist will have one work included in the exhibition.
Selected artists: 20
Selected works: 20
Eligibility: Artists working across different artistic forms
Submission: Artwork application
WhatsApp: 09060002518
Email: moeshenabuja@gmail.com
Deadline: 20 September 2026
September 18, 2026
Photo Credit: Kora Art Collective
Kora Art Collective is inviting emerging and mid-career artists of African descent to submit their work for First Encounter, a two-part exhibition that will be presented as part of a major Studio Tour in Austin, Texas.
The open call creates an opportunity for artists working across a wide range of contemporary practices to present their work to new audiences while contributing to a broader conversation around African and diasporic artistic production.
Artists working in painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, mixed media, and textile and fibre practices are encouraged to apply.
Through its two-part exhibition format, First Encounter aims to bring together diverse artistic perspectives and create space for exchange around the experiences, histories, and evolving visual languages shaping contemporary African and diasporic art.
For participating artists, the exhibition offers the opportunity to place their work before new audiences during Austin’s Studio Tour while connecting their individual practices to a wider community of emerging and mid-career artists working across the African diaspora.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is open to:
* Emerging artists of African descent
* Mid-career artists of African descent
* Artists working across a range of contemporary visual art practices
Eligible Mediums
Artists may submit work in:
* Painting
* Drawing
* Prints and printmaking
* Photography
* Sculpture
* Mixed media
* Textile and fibre practices
Key Details
Exhibition: First Encounter
Presented by: Kora Art Collective
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Eligibility: Emerging and mid-career artists of African descent
Submission Deadline: 18 September 2026
Application Fee: Free
For artists looking to connect their practice with new audiences and participate in a wider exchange around contemporary African and diasporic art, First Encounter offers a platform within one of Austin’s major public-facing art events.
Apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnli9QmpC6qrf2Br2k_cNnz_OamWBZR0ITwd2wW-0V_-_DWA/viewform
September 18, 2026
Photo Credit: Kora Art Collective
Kora Art Collective is inviting emerging and mid-career artists of African descent to submit their work for First Encounter, a two-part exhibition that will be presented as part of a major Studio Tour in Austin, Texas.
The open call creates an opportunity for artists working across a wide range of contemporary practices to present their work to new audiences while contributing to a broader conversation around African and diasporic artistic production.
Artists working in painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, mixed media, and textile and fibre practices are encouraged to apply.
Through its two-part exhibition format, First Encounter aims to bring together diverse artistic perspectives and create space for exchange around the experiences, histories, and evolving visual languages shaping contemporary African and diasporic art.
For participating artists, the exhibition offers the opportunity to place their work before new audiences during Austin’s Studio Tour while connecting their individual practices to a wider community of emerging and mid-career artists working across the African diaspora.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is open to:
* Emerging artists of African descent
* Mid-career artists of African descent
* Artists working across a range of contemporary visual art practices
Eligible Mediums
Artists may submit work in:
* Painting
* Drawing
* Prints and printmaking
* Photography
* Sculpture
* Mixed media
* Textile and fibre practices
Key Details
Exhibition: First Encounter
Presented by: Kora Art Collective
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Eligibility: Emerging and mid-career artists of African descent
Submission Deadline: 18 September 2026
Application Fee: Free
For artists looking to connect their practice with new audiences and participate in a wider exchange around contemporary African and diasporic art, First Encounter offers a platform within one of Austin’s major public-facing art events.
Apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnli9QmpC6qrf2Br2k_cNnz_OamWBZR0ITwd2wW-0V_-_DWA/viewform
September 15, 2026
Photo Credit: Embassy of Foreign Artists
The Embassy of Foreign Artists, in partnership with the Centre for Digital Humanities and Multilateralism at the Geneva Graduate Institute, is inviting artists from around the world to apply for the Artistic Research Residency & Granny, a three-month artistic research residency in Geneva in 2027.
The programme offers artists an opportunity to work directly with archival materials held by international organisations based in Geneva. Selected participants will use archives as their primary research resource, exploring untold histories, international decision-making processes, the successes and failures of multilateralism, and new possibilities for international cooperation.
Rather than functioning as a conventional studio residency, the programme is centred on research and investigation. Artists are encouraged to develop projects that engage critically and creatively with the records, documents, and histories held within Geneva’s international institutions.
Selected artists will receive a CHF 1,400 monthly residency grant, accommodation in a private room, artistic guidance from the Embassy of Foreign Artists, and opportunities to connect with relevant personnel working within participating international organisation archives. Participants will also receive access to archival collections as a central part of their research process.
The opportunity is open to professional artists aged over 28 who speak either French or English and can demonstrate an established professional practice through artistic creations, publications, and/or performances.
Applicants must propose a project that uses the archives of Geneva-based international intergovernmental or nongovernmental organisations as its primary research resource.
What Selected Artists Receive
* CHF 1,400 per month for three months
* Accommodation in a private room
* Artistic guidance from the Embassy of Foreign Artists
* Connections with relevant personnel within participating archives
* Access to archival materials held by Geneva-based international organisations
* An opportunity to develop a research-led artistic project in an international context
Who Can Apply?
The residency is open to professional artists who:
* Are over 28 years old
* Speak French or English
* Can demonstrate a professional body of work through creations, publications, and/or performances
* Propose a project centred on archival research
* Intend to use the archives of Geneva-based international intergovernmental or nongovernmental organisations as their primary research resource
Key Details
Deadline: 15 September 2026
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Residency Duration: 3 months
Residency Period: 2027
Grant: CHF 1,400 per month
For artists interested in archives, history, international politics, and the possibilities of research as artistic practice, the Artistic Research Residency & Granny offers an unusual opportunity to work inside one of the world’s most important centres of international cooperation and institutional history.
Apply at: https://www.eofa.ch/en/apply/
September 15, 2026
Photo Credit: Embassy of Foreign Artists
The Embassy of Foreign Artists, in partnership with the Centre for Digital Humanities and Multilateralism at the Geneva Graduate Institute, is inviting artists from around the world to apply for the Artistic Research Residency & Granny, a three-month artistic research residency in Geneva in 2027.
The programme offers artists an opportunity to work directly with archival materials held by international organisations based in Geneva. Selected participants will use archives as their primary research resource, exploring untold histories, international decision-making processes, the successes and failures of multilateralism, and new possibilities for international cooperation.
Rather than functioning as a conventional studio residency, the programme is centred on research and investigation. Artists are encouraged to develop projects that engage critically and creatively with the records, documents, and histories held within Geneva’s international institutions.
Selected artists will receive a CHF 1,400 monthly residency grant, accommodation in a private room, artistic guidance from the Embassy of Foreign Artists, and opportunities to connect with relevant personnel working within participating international organisation archives. Participants will also receive access to archival collections as a central part of their research process.
The opportunity is open to professional artists aged over 28 who speak either French or English and can demonstrate an established professional practice through artistic creations, publications, and/or performances.
Applicants must propose a project that uses the archives of Geneva-based international intergovernmental or nongovernmental organisations as its primary research resource.
What Selected Artists Receive
* CHF 1,400 per month for three months
* Accommodation in a private room
* Artistic guidance from the Embassy of Foreign Artists
* Connections with relevant personnel within participating archives
* Access to archival materials held by Geneva-based international organisations
* An opportunity to develop a research-led artistic project in an international context
Who Can Apply?
The residency is open to professional artists who:
* Are over 28 years old
* Speak French or English
* Can demonstrate a professional body of work through creations, publications, and/or performances
* Propose a project centred on archival research
* Intend to use the archives of Geneva-based international intergovernmental or nongovernmental organisations as their primary research resource
Key Details
Deadline: 15 September 2026
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Residency Duration: 3 months
Residency Period: 2027
Grant: CHF 1,400 per month
For artists interested in archives, history, international politics, and the possibilities of research as artistic practice, the Artistic Research Residency & Granny offers an unusual opportunity to work inside one of the world’s most important centres of international cooperation and institutional history.
Apply at: https://www.eofa.ch/en/apply/
September 15, 2026
Photo Credit: Art Beat Miami
Art Beat Miami is accepting applications from artists worldwide for its 13th Annual Art Fair, taking place from 2 to 6 December 2026 at various locations across Miami during Art Basel and Miami Art Week.
The open call welcomes artists aged 18 and above working across all artistic mediums, offering selected participants an opportunity to present their work during one of the world’s most internationally significant weeks for contemporary art.
Submitted artworks must be original works created by the artist applying. The organisers note that sexually explicit artwork will not be accepted.
Artists may submit up to five artwork images in JPEG format, with each image limited to 2MB. Every submission must include the relevant artwork information, including the title, date, medium, and dimensions.
Selected works will be presented both in person and online, bringing participating artists into a programme featuring emerging, established, and international practitioners from diverse artistic backgrounds.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to:
* Artists worldwide
* Artists aged 18 and above
* Practitioners working in any artistic medium
Submission Requirements
Applicants may submit:
* Up to five artwork images
* JPEG files only
* A maximum file size of 2MB per image
* Artwork title
* Date of creation
* Medium
* Dimensions
All submitted works must be original and created by the applying artist.
Key Details
Event: Art Beat Miami 13th Annual Art Fair
Location: Miami, USA
Event Dates: 2–6 December 2026
Application Deadline: 15 September 2026
Eligibility: Artists aged 18 and above, worldwide
Mediums: All artistic mediums
Apply: www.artbeatmiami.com
For emerging and established artists looking to present their work during the international energy of Miami Art Week, Art Beat Miami offers an opportunity to exhibit alongside artists from different backgrounds while reaching audiences gathered in the city for one of the contemporary art world’s busiest annual events.
September 15, 2026
Photo Credit: Art Beat Miami
Art Beat Miami is accepting applications from artists worldwide for its 13th Annual Art Fair, taking place from 2 to 6 December 2026 at various locations across Miami during Art Basel and Miami Art Week.
The open call welcomes artists aged 18 and above working across all artistic mediums, offering selected participants an opportunity to present their work during one of the world’s most internationally significant weeks for contemporary art.
Submitted artworks must be original works created by the artist applying. The organisers note that sexually explicit artwork will not be accepted.
Artists may submit up to five artwork images in JPEG format, with each image limited to 2MB. Every submission must include the relevant artwork information, including the title, date, medium, and dimensions.
Selected works will be presented both in person and online, bringing participating artists into a programme featuring emerging, established, and international practitioners from diverse artistic backgrounds.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to:
* Artists worldwide
* Artists aged 18 and above
* Practitioners working in any artistic medium
Submission Requirements
Applicants may submit:
* Up to five artwork images
* JPEG files only
* A maximum file size of 2MB per image
* Artwork title
* Date of creation
* Medium
* Dimensions
All submitted works must be original and created by the applying artist.
Key Details
Event: Art Beat Miami 13th Annual Art Fair
Location: Miami, USA
Event Dates: 2–6 December 2026
Application Deadline: 15 September 2026
Eligibility: Artists aged 18 and above, worldwide
Mediums: All artistic mediums
Apply: www.artbeatmiami.com
For emerging and established artists looking to present their work during the international energy of Miami Art Week, Art Beat Miami offers an opportunity to exhibit alongside artists from different backgrounds while reaching audiences gathered in the city for one of the contemporary art world’s busiest annual events.
September 1, 2026
Photo Credit: ARD Art Institution
ARD Art Institution, in partnership with Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), is inviting visual artists from Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa to apply for the ARD South Residency 2026–2027 in Cairo, Egypt.
The fully supported three-month residency offers selected artists time and space to develop new work, conduct research, and engage with Cairo’s local arts and cultural scene.
Four artists will be selected for four individual residency slots taking place between October 2026 and July 2027. The programme provides an opportunity for artists to work within a new cultural context while developing their practices through research, exchange, and artistic production.
Key Details
Programme: ARD South Residency 2026–2027
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Eligibility: Visual artists from Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa
Residency Duration: Three months
Number of Artists: Four
Residency Period: October 2026–July 2027
Deadline: 1 September 2026
How to Apply
Interested artists can submit their applications through the application link:
Apply for the ARD South Residency
September 1, 2026
Photo Credit: ARD Art Institution
ARD Art Institution, in partnership with Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), is inviting visual artists from Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa to apply for the ARD South Residency 2026–2027 in Cairo, Egypt.
The fully supported three-month residency offers selected artists time and space to develop new work, conduct research, and engage with Cairo’s local arts and cultural scene.
Four artists will be selected for four individual residency slots taking place between October 2026 and July 2027. The programme provides an opportunity for artists to work within a new cultural context while developing their practices through research, exchange, and artistic production.
Key Details
Programme: ARD South Residency 2026–2027
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Eligibility: Visual artists from Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa
Residency Duration: Three months
Number of Artists: Four
Residency Period: October 2026–July 2027
Deadline: 1 September 2026
How to Apply
Interested artists can submit their applications through the application link:
Apply for the ARD South Residency
July 26, 2026
Photo Credit: BASMA
BASMA is accepting applications for the second edition of the Emergence Africa Residency, a three-week production residency for emerging visual artists from sub-Saharan Africa.
The programme supports artists in developing new bodies of work while creating opportunities for exchange with artists, curators, and art professionals. The residency concludes with public presentations in Casablanca and at What’s On – 1-54 Marrakech.
Eligibility:
Open to artists under 40 with an established visual art practice and a documented body of work.
Residency dates: 21 September – 10 October 2026
Location: Casablanca, Morocco
Application:
All eligibility criteria, programme details, and application procedures are available in the residency regulations and online application form.
July 26, 2026
Photo Credit: BASMA
BASMA is accepting applications for the second edition of the Emergence Africa Residency, a three-week production residency for emerging visual artists from sub-Saharan Africa.
The programme supports artists in developing new bodies of work while creating opportunities for exchange with artists, curators, and art professionals. The residency concludes with public presentations in Casablanca and at What’s On – 1-54 Marrakech.
Eligibility:
Open to artists under 40 with an established visual art practice and a documented body of work.
Residency dates: 21 September – 10 October 2026
Location: Casablanca, Morocco
Application:
All eligibility criteria, programme details, and application procedures are available in the residency regulations and online application form.