Call for applications: Kisangani Residency – Studios Kabako

The objective of Pro Helvetia Johannesburg’s residency programme is to stimulate the development of new thinking and new work and to promote creative and mutual exchange between artists and professional networks in Switzerland and the Southern African region.

During the course of 2020, Pro Helvetia Johannesburg partners with local performing arts organisations to offer variously formatted residencies, open to Swiss artists from any disciplinary background:

Studios Kabako residency (Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo)

Founded in 2001 in Kinshasa by choreographer Faustin Linyekula, the Studios Kabako are “a place where one works, where one is always searching for oneself and where, sometimes, one finds what is looked for”. For more than 15 years, and now located in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo, Studios Kabako has been fostering the germination of young Congolese artists, dancers, actors, musicians, performers, film-makers. Studios Kabako provides training, production and touring, artistic mentorship, technical and administrative support, as well as building tailor-made long-term support measures for the cultural field.

The residency is open to 2 Swiss artists, over a 4 to 6 week period, during July and August 2020.  Applicants should have a desire to collaborate and share with the company’s artists, as well as research and work within the local context.

Studios Kabako has associated live and electronic musicians, dancers and choreographers, as well as sound, video and film equipment and professionals available to work with.  There is the possibility to mix sound but not to master.

Pro Helvetia support:

Pro Helvetia Johannesburg office covers the cost of the artists’ travel and visa costs, accommodation, per diem, and to some extent, production costs. Local partner host and artist’s costs are also covered.

Application requirements for Kisangani, Studios Kabako residency (DR Congo]:

Please provide a considered response to the list of questions below. Application must be in English or French. Email your responses to the questions and your full professional CV to the Pro Helvetia Johannesburg office: johannesburg@prohelvetia.org.za. Use the subject line “Kisangani2020 residency application”.

1. What motivates you to apply for this residency?

2. If you were awarded the residency, what are your initial thoughts on how to approach your time in Kisangani?

3. How might you be interested to engage with:

3.1. The company

3.2. Local persons: professional artists and non-artists

3.3. The context

4. Have you worked elsewhere on the continent?  Please describe the experience.

5. Where relevant, please provide web links or dossiers to your previous work.

Deadline for applications:  9 December 2019

Selection of successful applicant and notification: by 31 January 2020