Southnord Residency Programme
About The Programme
As an artist-run platform, Southnord is deeply committed to fostering and nurturing artistic ideas, particularly within the visual arts. In our ongoing efforts to make space for new creative projects to flourish, we are thrilled to introduce the Southnord Residency Programme. The programme serves as a vital bridge, connecting Afro-diasporic artists situated in the Nordics* to contemporary art scenes on the Africa continent. We hope this offering leads to journeys of self-discovery and artistic exploration in a context quite unlike the one we live in. Through this immersive experience, residents will engage with the soil that holds our heritage and forge new relationships with fellow artists and curators. With a two-month residency period during the fall/winter season (October-January), our goal is for participants to return with a renewed sense of hope, inspiration, and artistic vitality.
Southnord’s long-term ambition is to develop relationships with multiple partners all across the continent and expand our offering from one residency spot to several, as and when funding permits. To this end, we will be hosting a series of webinars during 2025 featuring some of the amazing independent art spaces operating in different countries.
*This programme is only open to artists of African descent situated or born in the Nordics.
Our Residency Partner
We are excited to collaborate with the Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre (LuCAC), in Zambia, as our first residency partner. LuCAC is a private non-profit facility dedicated to artistic research, exhibition and resource sharing. As a hub for decolonisation, LuCAC encourages formal and informal artistic research and experimentation to challenge dominant narratives and interrogate common stories and histories. This mission aims to influence the trajectory of equitable and self-aware human development. It facilitates and promotes knowledge production relevant to artistic development in Zambia and beyond, acknowledging the hybridity resulting from migration, immigration, and globalisation. As an artist-driven project space and cultural repository, LuCAC increases the visibility of Zambian Contemporary art through radical knowledge production and creative experimentation. The center features a gallery with rotating exhibitions, a studio for artistic collaboration, a library for research, and art residency facilities for national and international artists. By fostering a community that challenges dominant narratives, LuCAC promotes self-aware human development and empowers the growth of Zambian Contemporary art. Through its programmes and facilities, LuCAC serves as a vibrant platform for artistic innovation and cultural exchange.
We welcome applications for the 2025 residency spot.
Residency Application Overview:
- Application Period: 6 January – 14 March 2025
- Residency Duration: 2 months (Fall/Winter 2025: October – January)
- Residency Location: Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre (LuCAC), Zambia
- Eligibility: Open to visual artists and curators of African decent situated in the Nordics.
- Selection Notification: 31 March 2025
How to Apply
Interested artists and curators should submit the following materials:
- Artist/Curator Statement (500 words max): A brief introduction to your work and artistic practice.
- Project Proposal (750 words max): A description of the project you plan to undertake during the residency and how you plan to use your time at LuCAC.
- Portfolio: 5-10 images of recent work or a link to your digital portfolio.
- CV/Resume: An overview of your artistic background, exhibitions and previous residencies (if applicable).
Selection Criteria:
- Artistic Merit: Quality of previous work and ability to articulate your practice.
- Project Feasibility: How well-suited the proposed project is to the residency setting.
- Engagement and commitment: An openness to cultural exchange and exploration, with a strong desire to engage deeply with the local art scene.
Selected artists will receive:
- Air tickets and accommodation, covered by Southnord
- Access to studio space at LuCAC
- Monthly stipend for living expenses
- Opportunity to present their work during the residency
Apply by 14 March, 2025 to take part in this transformative experience. Find out more about LuCAC here.
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Foto: Mathilde Rahm