Open call to African artists: “AU20 – Our Africa, Our Future

The African Union is celebrating its twentieth commemoration this year since its creation at the Durban Conference in July 2002.

Dubbed AU20, the festivals will take place under the theme “Our Africa, Our Future” and focus on the initiatives, victories, impacts, challenges and future prospects of the African Union.

As part of this recognition, the African Union (AU), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is facilitating an AU20 residency program for artists from across Africa to deliver work that celebrates the continent’s unity and capacity.

The three-week residency will take place at the Loman Art House in Dakar, Senegal, from November 7-28, 2022, and will culminate in a public event to present and discuss the creative work.

With special consideration to the theme “Our Africa, Our Future“, five artists from the continent will be chosen for their creative ability, inventiveness and obligation to decipher this subject in a broad and expansive manner through all mediums. The works will be published as digital books in 2023.

The AU20 project aims to raise the profile of the African Union and better connect with African residents. Powered by Africa No Filter, the artist residency program will help bring the African Union closer together by selecting innovative experts who consider new ideas, attempt to challenge programming, and offer new and unique work through their chosen materials, techniques, and subject matter.

What is expected of the artists 

1. Commit to the entire residency program in Dakar, Senegal. 
2. Selected artists will produce a series of works that will be presented at the Loman Art House, the African Union Commission and included in the AU20 e-book anthology. 
3. Participate in the public event at the end of the residency, the photography and video of the creative cycle, and any exhibition that may result from the program.

What the artists get 

1. All travel expenses to, from and within Senegal. 
2. Room and board at the Loman Art House in Senegal. 
3. A creative space. 
4. A payment of 1 000 USD. 
5. Basic expenses for creative tools and art materials will be covered. 
6. Excursions to important places of interest during the stay in Senegal. 
7. Meetings with key people.

Qualification 

1. Confirmed artists who have exhibited at least once. 
2. Digital art and videography applicants must be effectively engaged in contemporary creative practice and issue evidence of a public exhibition. 
3. Artists must be able to communicate in English or French and be a national of and reside in any African country. 
4. Artists must be in possession of a valid passport and be traveling to Senegal to participate in the residency itself.

To apply 

1. A CV with experiences, names of galleries showing the artist’s work, participation in biennials and international meetings, and contact information for two references. 
2. A short biography. 
3. A cover letter explaining why you are participating in this AU-themed residency and what you hope to gain from the experience. 
4. A portofolio of previous creations or possibly a link to your website. 
5. A duplicate of the identification page of your passport.

For logistical reasons, Loman Art will only accept one application per artist. 

• The application period will run from September 16 to 30, 2022. 
• The deadline for applications is September 30, 2022.

Applications should be sent in PDF format and submitted to contact@lomanart.com
Applications that are missing an element and those that have passed the deadline will not be considered.