Ker Issa Artist Residency | RAW Material Company - Dakar

Ker Issa Artist Residency | RAW Material Company – Dakar, Senegal

Overview

Ker Issa represents one of West Africa’s most intellectually rigorous and socially engaged artist residency programs, operating as the residential component of RAW Material Company—Senegal’s pioneering center for art, knowledge, and society. Established in 2011 by visionary Cameroonian-Swiss curator Koyo Kouoh (1967-2025), this groundbreaking residency has welcomed over 50 multidisciplinary practitioners from diverse nationalities, embedding them within Dakar’s thriving contemporary art ecosystem and its radical tradition of politically conscious creative practice.

The residency’s name, “Ker Issa,” translates from Wolof as “House of Issa”—honoring the legacy of seminal Senegalese conceptual artist Issa Samb (1945-2017), whose revolutionary Laboratoire Agit’Art collective (founded 1974) fundamentally challenged institutional power and transformed artistic practice in West Africa. This genealogy positions Ker Issa as a contemporary manifestation of Dakar’s deep-rooted commitment to art as “raw material for human and social development” and a catalyst for sociopolitical transformation.

Institutional Foundation & Philosophy

RAW Material Company emerged in 2008 from Kouoh’s urgent recognition that African artistic education remained “modelled on a colonial setting” and required radical updating to align with contemporary urgencies. After operating nomadically through exhibitions, symposia, and weekly discussions, RAW established its physical headquarters in 2011 within two historic locations: Sicap Amitié 2 and Zone B—a beautifully renovated 1950s Modernist residence in a historic midtown Dakar neighborhood.

The organization’s name carries profound intentionality: “raw” signifies both Africa’s historical position as provider of raw materials to the global economy and the Wolof word for “pioneer,” while “company” denotes cultural entrepreneurship, togetherness, kinship, and collaboration. This semantic richness reflects RAW’s commitment to repositioning African creativity from periphery to center in global art discourse.

Kouoh’s transformative vision—which earned her annual recognition (2014-2022) among ArtReview’s 100 most influential people in contemporary art and appointment as curator of the 2026 Venice Biennale (she passed away tragically in May 2025 before realizing this historic role)—positioned RAW as a “not-school” that privileges learning and unlearning, critical discourse, and proximity to artistic production over traditional pedagogical hierarchies.

Residency Structure & Capacity

Location: Baobabs neighborhood, 15-minute walk from RAW headquarters, 20 minutes by car from downtown Dakar

Capacity: Two artists in residence simultaneously

Duration: Flexible, ranging from short research visits to extended multi-month stays

Disciplines: Visual artists working in any medium, writers, musicians, filmmakers, architects, curators, researchers, doctoral students, urban planners, and interdisciplinary practitioners

Ker Issa functions as an intimate, focused environment where residents engage deeply with Dakar’s cultural fabric while benefiting from RAW’s extensive network of artistic, curatorial, and academic collaborators.

Transdisciplinary Programming Ecosystem

Residents at Ker Issa gain access to RAW Material Company’s comprehensive infrastructure, creating an immersive experience far beyond traditional studio residencies:

RAW Base – Resource Center:

• Francophone West Africa’s most comprehensive contemporary art library
• Specialized archive of theory and criticism on African and Africa-related artistic practices
• Regular artist talks, portfolio reviews, masterclasses, symposia, lectures, panel discussions, and research presentations
• Documentation center preserving critical discourse on contemporary African art

RAW Académie – Experimental Study Program:

• Tuition-free, 5-7 week intensive sessions (historically two annually, now one per year)
• Maximum 10 fellows per session selected through competitive international process
• Led by distinguished faculty from global art, curatorial, and critical writing communities
• Past themes: “Tour de Table” (culinary exchange/civic possibility), “CURA” (curatorial practice as political agency), “Images for Our Time” (representation/power), “Landmarks” (art in urban space)
• Notable faculty: Felwine Sarr (Senegalese philosopher/economist), Chimurenga collective, Yemisi Aribisala & Siddhartha Mitter (writers), doual’art Cameroon
• Opportunity to attend sessions, participate in workshops, and engage with visiting scholars

RAW Gallery:

• 100m² professional exhibition space with white cube and public space programming
• Platform for experimental exhibitions challenging conventional display paradigms
• Regular OFF Dak’Art participation during biennial years

Intellectual Heritage & Artistic Lineage

Ker Issa residents inherit Dakar’s rich legacy of socially engaged art movements, particularly:

Laboratoire Agit’Art (1973-present): Founded by Issa Samb, filmmaker Djibril Diop Mambéty, painter El Hadji Sy, and playwright Youssoupha Dione, this revolutionary collective rejected the formalism of President Léopold Sédar Senghor’s École de Dakar and Négritude philosophy. Prioritizing experimentation, ephemerality, audience participation, and “aesthetic of the social” over aesthetic formalism, Laboratoire Agit’Art developed interdisciplinary practices drawing from African tradition and European avant-garde movements (Dada, Surrealism, Situationism, Fluxus). The collective’s spirit—grounding artistic actions in immediate sociopolitical situations—continues to animate RAW’s programming.

Contemporary Independent Spaces: Residents connect with Dakar’s vibrant network of non-governmental art organizations including Village des Arts, Maison Aïssa Dione, Espace Medina, Atelier Céramiques Almadies, and the ongoing Laboratoire Agit’Art, creating opportunities for collaborative projects and cross-institutional dialogue.

Facilities & Resources

Residential Accommodation:

• Individual bedroom with air conditioning
• Shared bathroom facilities
• Equipped kitchen for self-catering
• Living/common areas conducive to reflection and informal exchange

Working Environment:

• Flexible studio/workspace arrangements
• Access to RAW Material Company’s Zone B headquarters for library research, seminars, and collaborative work
• Technical and production support based on project requirements

Intellectual Resources:

• Extensive contemporary art library spanning African, diasporic, and international practices
• Archive of critical texts, exhibition catalogues, and theoretical writings
• Regular discursive programs connecting local, continental, and international practitioners

Strategic Collaborations & Exchange Programs

Ker Issa participates in international residency partnerships expanding geographic and cultural dialogues:

Barcelona-Dakar Cross-Residency: Collaboration with Hangar, CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona), and Institut Ramon Llull facilitating reciprocal exchanges between Catalonia and Senegal. Catalan artists undertake month-long March residencies at Ker Issa with comprehensive accompaniment, while Dakar-based practitioners (including architects Nzinga Mboup and Carole Diop) participate in Barcelona programs exploring cities and contemporary challenges.

Global Network: RAW maintains active relationships with documenta, EVA International (Ireland’s Biennial), Zeitz MOCAA (Cape Town), 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Dak’Art Biennale, and numerous international institutions, positioning Ker Issa residents within expansive professional networks.

Dakar’s Cultural Context

The residency immerses practitioners in one of Africa’s most dynamic cultural capitals:

Dak’Art Biennale (established 1990): Africa’s longest-running contemporary art biennale occurs biennially, transforming Dakar into a comprehensive exhibition platform. The main international exhibition, national participations, and extensive OFF program (300+ venues in 2024) create unprecedented artistic density. RAW regularly participates in OFF programming, with residents potentially timing visits to coincide with biennial years.

Language Ecosystem: Dakar operates trilingually in Wolof (indigenous language spoken by 39% of Senegal’s population), French (official language), and English, with residents gaining exposure to complex linguistic and cultural negotiations fundamental to West African contemporary practice.

Post-Colonial Urbanism: The city presents a compelling mix of French colonial architecture, radical Wolof traditions in music/food/design, Islamic influences (97% Muslim population), and contemporary Pan-African cultural movements—providing rich material for artistic investigation.

Proximity & Accessibility:

• 8-hour direct flight from New York City
• 6-hour flight from major European cities
• Regional hub for West African cultural exchange
• Mild climate with dry season (November-May) and rainy season (June-October)

Application Process & Selection

Eligibility: Open to multidisciplinary practitioners at any career stage, from emerging researchers to established artists, curators, and writers

Application Components:

• Cover letter articulating research/creative interests and connection to Senegal/West Africa
• Current CV/resume
• Project proposal detailing residency objectives and methodologies
• Portfolio/artistic dossier demonstrating practice trajectory
• For video artists: online viewing links (Vimeo/YouTube)
• Two to five images related to proposed project

Selection Criteria:

• Artistic/scholarly merit and practice coherence
• Meaningful engagement with RAW’s mission and Dakar’s cultural context
• Contribution to transdisciplinary dialogue
• Commitment to public presentation and community engagement
• Potential for knowledge production and critical exchange

Selection Process: Collaborative review by RAW’s curatorial team and relevant program directors, with selections announced following comprehensive evaluation of artistic proposals and professional trajectories.

Resident Commitments & Opportunities

Expectations:

• Public presentation of research/production in Dakar during residency
• Engagement with RAW’s discursive programming (artist talks, symposia, workshops)
• Participation in community-facing events and exhibitions where appropriate
• Post-residency report (maximum 500 words + 2 images) evaluating experience
• Acknowledgment of RAW Material Company support in project communications

Professional Development:

• Direct interaction with RAW’s curatorial team and visiting faculty
• Potential inclusion in RAW Gallery exhibitions or OFF Dak’Art programming
• Integration into Pan-African and international curatorial networks
• Documentation support for projects developed during residency
• Alumni network connecting 50+ past residents across creative disciplines

Funding & Financial Support

While specific funding arrangements vary by partnership and application cycle, RAW Material Company historically operates on principles of accessibility, with many programs offering tuition-free or subsidized participation. Applicants should inquire directly about current funding opportunities, stipends, material support, and fee structures.

The organization has received support from Mellon Foundation, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), Foundation for Arts Initiatives, Arts Collaboratory, and various international cultural foundations, enabling robust programming despite operating as an independent, non-profit initiative.

Koyo Kouoh’s Legacy & RAW’s Future

The tragic passing of founding artistic director Koyo Kouoh in May 2025—just months before her historic Venice Biennale curatorship—represents an immeasurable loss to global contemporary art. However, her vision endures through RAW’s institutional infrastructure, the dedication of Director of Programs Marie Hélène Pereira (who joined RAW in 2011), and the passionate team of practitioners who continue advancing RAW’s mission.

Kouoh’s pioneering work included landmark exhibitions (Still (the) Barbarians at EVA International 2016; When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting 2022-23), influential publications (Word!Word?Word! Issa Samb and the Undecipherable Form 2013; Condition Report on Building Art Institutions in Africa 2012), and transformative institutional leadership at both RAW and Zeitz MOCAA. Her legacy of “bringing people along” and “shining a light” for African and diasporic creativity continues to guide Ker Issa’s programming.

Contact Information

RAW Material Company Zone B, Villa 2A Dakar, Senegal BP 22170

Email: info@rawmaterialcompany.org Phone: +221 33 864 0248 Website: http://www.rawmaterialcompany.org

Hours: Monday–Friday, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Social Media:

• Instagram: @raw.gram2011
• Facebook: RAW Material Company
• YouTube: RAW Material Company

Why Choose Ker Issa

Ker Issa offers practitioners seeking authentic engagement with West African contemporary art an unparalleled opportunity to work within Dakar’s intellectually rigorous and politically conscious creative ecosystem. Unlike conventional residencies focused solely on production, Ker Issa embeds residents within ongoing critical discourse, connecting them to Senegal’s revolutionary artistic lineage while addressing urgent contemporary questions about art’s role in social transformation.

For researchers investigating African art histories, urban practitioners exploring post-colonial cities, curators developing Pan-African networks, or artists seeking meaningful cultural exchange outside Western contexts, Ker Issa provides infrastructure, intellectual community, and historical depth rare among international residency programs.

The residency’s intimate scale (two residents) ensures personalized attention and deep integration into RAW’s programming, while access to Dakar’s broader art infrastructure—including Dak’Art Biennale, Village des Arts, independent galleries, and thriving performance scenes—creates comprehensive cultural immersion.