GEËSTU / GISS - Residency Program 2026

About the Open Call

The residency unfolds in three interconnected phases. The first phase, based in Mbacké Kadior, is dedicated to observation and immersion within the Daara community, where artists engage with prayer, agriculture, oral transmission, and ecological practices without pressure to produce work. The second phase takes place in the artisanal village of Ndem, where participants collaborate directly with craftspeople working in textile, natural dyeing, leather, wood, metal, and basketry. Artists are encouraged to develop hybrid forms that connect contemporary art with local craft knowledge, ecological thinking, and collective modes of production. The final phase culminates in a public exhibition and programme of discussions and performances at Espace Maam Samba in Dakar during the opening week of the Dakar Biennale OFF programme in November 2026. The residency places strong emphasis on cultural sovereignty, transmission, sustainability, spiritual practice, and ethical collaboration with local communities.

What is Offered

Art and craft residency and exhibition opportunity.

Requirements

The residency is open to adult artists from all disciplines, including visual arts, sculpture, textile, design, sound, writing, and art-based craft practices. Applicants should demonstrate a material-based practice, interest in ecology and transmission, and the ability to work collaboratively within a communal and desert-climate environment. Required application materials include a CV, a project statement of 3,000–5,000 characters, a portfolio of up to 10 PDF pages, and an optional motivation letter. Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file via email before the deadline. Selected artists receive a €2,000 artistic grant, a €2,000 production budget, accommodation, meals, local and international transport, insurance, visa support if needed, and artistic and technical guidance throughout the residency.

How to Apply

Review the official Google Document provided for application instructions and submission requirements.