Connecting Artists with Africa’s Creative Heartbeat
Art Residency Africa is more than a directory—it’s a bridge between global creativity and the continent’s vibrant artistic renaissance.
Our Story
Art Residency Africa was born from a simple observation: Africa’s contemporary art scene is experiencing unprecedented global recognition, yet finding and accessing artist residencies across the continent remained frustratingly difficult. Artists told us they spent weeks researching programs, navigating dozens of websites, and still felt uncertain about which opportunities truly matched their practice.
Meanwhile, incredible residency programs—from Cape Town’s industrial studios to Marrakech’s ancient riads, from Lagos’s bustling creative hubs to Zanzibar’s coastal retreats—struggled to reach international artists. Many exceptional programs remained undiscovered simply because they lacked the resources for global marketing.
We knew there had to be a better way. In 2025, we launched Art Residency Africa to solve both problems: giving artists a comprehensive, searchable platform to discover transformative opportunities, while providing residency programs with the visibility they deserve.
Our Mission
To make artist residencies across Africa accessible, discoverable, and transformative for creatives worldwide—while supporting residency programs in building sustainable, thriving artistic communities.
What We Do
Comprehensive Directory
We curate and maintain the most complete database of artist residencies across all 54 African countries—from established programs to emerging spaces, funded opportunities to affordable retreats.
Artist Resources
Our free tools help artists plan their residency journey: cost calculators, application timeline planners, deadline trackers, and comprehensive guides for navigating the application process.
Community Building
We connect artists with residencies, but also artists with artists, and programs with programs—fostering a global network of creative exchange centered on African art and culture.
Program Support
We provide residency directors with free listings, optional premium features, analytics, and a network of peers—helping programs grow their reach and impact.
Our Vision: A Global Network
Art Residency Africa is just the beginning. We’re building toward a truly global platform that connects artists with transformative residency opportunities worldwide.
Our Values
Accessibility
Artist residencies should be discoverable and accessible to all creatives, regardless of background or resources. Our free platform ensures cost is never a barrier to finding opportunities.
Community First
We exist to serve artists and residency programs, not investors. Our community-driven approach prioritizes the needs of creatives over profit.
Cultural Exchange
We believe in reciprocal, respectful exchange that benefits both visiting artists and host communities. Residencies should be partnerships, not extractions.
Authenticity
We provide honest, comprehensive information about residencies—the challenges alongside the opportunities—so artists can make informed decisions.
Sustainability
We support residency programs in building sustainable models that can thrive long-term, creating lasting impact for artists and communities.
Innovation
We continuously develop new tools, resources, and features that make discovering and applying to residencies easier, more efficient, and more effective.
About MoMAA | Stichting Royalafrican
Art Residency Africa is operated by MoMAA | Stichting Royalafrican, a Dutch foundation (Stichting) registered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Our foundation is dedicated to supporting artistic exchange, cultural development, and creative collaboration across Africa and globally.
As a non-profit foundation, we reinvest all revenue back into improving our platform, developing new resources for artists, and supporting underrepresented creatives through scholarships and grants. Our work is guided by the belief that art transcends borders and that every artist deserves the opportunity to create in inspiring, supportive environments.
Art Residency Africa by the Numbers
Join Our Community
Whether you’re an artist seeking your next creative adventure or a residency program looking to reach more artists, we’re here to support your journey.