UJ Artists In Residence
CALL FOR 2026 UJ ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is excited to announce the opening of applications for its 2026 Artists in Residence Programme, which has been running since 2022. This programme is designed to foster arts practice as research and is aimed at artist-academics across various disciplines.
UJ invites both emerging and established artists from around the world, preferably with a connection to Africa, to apply.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must not have affiliations with other tertiary institutions in South Africa.
- Applicants should hold a relevant post-school qualification.
The closing date for submissions is 31 July 2025.
To submit your application, please follow this link: https://form.jotform.com/251602138430042
Eligible Disciplines:
- Visual Arts and Fine Arts
- Music
- Theatre
- Performance and Dance
- Design
- Film and Television
- Literary Arts
The Artists in Residence Programme requires that artists complete at least one creative output project within a 12-month or 24-month period (for Film and Television and Literary Arts). All projects must meet the Department of Higher Education’s standards for creative output.
Information Sessions:
Pieter Jacobs, Head of the Division of Arts & Culture, will host two virtual information-sharing sessions to guide prospective applicants through the process and provide key insights into the programme. These sessions will also offer an opportunity for applicants to engage with the department and ask questions. The sessions will be held on:
For further information on creative submissions, please refer to the Department of Higher Education’s Creative Outputs Implementation Guidelines.
Stipend and Residencies:
Successful applicants will receive a monthly stipend of R10,000 (subject to statutory deductions). The programme is intended as a stimulus effort, and no additional seed funding, travel, accommodation, or per diems will be provided beyond the monthly stipend. Applicants may choose between remote or physical residencies; however, note that there are limited spaces available for offices, studios, rehearsal, and performance areas.
Previous Artists in Residence:
Since its inception, the programme has supported a wide range of creative projects, including bio-art, music compositions, novellas, documentaries, and theatre productions. Notable past artists include:
- Brenton Maart
- Mbuso Ndlovu
- Mai Al Shazly
- Lindiwe Matshikiza
- Sonya Rademeyer
- Kagiso Kekana
- Jamil Khan
- Carol-Ann Davids
- Pieter Bezuidenhout
- Mike Van Graan
- Lucy Strauss
- Dean Hutton
- Shane Cooper
- Sabelo Mthembu
- Heinrich Nieuman
- Sfundo W. Sosibo
- Keenan John Meyer
- Janneke de Lange
- Louise Westerhout
- Edouard Duval-Carrié
Selection Process:
Artists In Residence positions are awarded through a rigorous and competitive academic process, with careful consideration of the applicant’s career track record, productivity, academic writing experience, and the quality of their residency proposal. Only those who meet academic and professional standards will be selected.
For more information and to apply, click here – https://form.jotform.com/251602138430042
For enquires please contact Alexander Makhubu on alexjm@uj.ac.za or 011 559 4674
About the University of Johannesburg
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan university, striving towards global excellence and stature. Ranked amongst the top 4% in the QS World Class Universities Ranking and 61st in the QS BRICS World Class Universities Ranking, UJ is recognised as an international university of choice. As a University, it aims to enrich its academic profile and develop UJ as the pan-African epicentre of critical intellectual inquiry.
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is pleased to announce that its highly regarded Artists in Residence (AIR) Programme is now accepting applications for 2024. The initiative offers a unique opportunity for artists to embark on innovative practice led research, showcase their work, and contribute to the vibrant artistic community at the institution.
Since inception of the programme two years ago, sixteen artists have been selected to work on a range of exciting projects including several bio-art projects, music compositions, novellas, documentaries, and theatre productions. The first cohort includes Brenton Maart, Mbuso Ndlovu, Mai Al Shazly, Jaun Orantia, Yazeed Kamaldien, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Sonya Rademeyer, Kagiso Kekana, and Jamil Khan and the second, Carol-Ann Davids, Pieter Bezuidenhout, Mike Van Graan, Lucy Strauss, Dean Hutton, Shane Cooper, and Sabelo Mthembu.
The UJ Artists in Residence Programme welcomes applications from emerging and established artists, from across the globe, but preferably with a link to Africa. Applications for both physical and remote residencies are possible. Only proposals for projects that can be completed within a 12-month period and that fall within the following disciplines will be eligible:
• Visual Arts and Fine Arts
• Music
• Theatre
• Performance and Dance
• Design
• Film and Television
• Literary Arts
Eligible candidates will not have affiliations with other tertiary institutions in South Africa. The Artists in Residence Programme requires artists to complete at least one creative output project within a 12-month period that meets the Department of Higher Education’s requirements for creative output. For more information on creative submissions, click here to read more.
Successful applicants will be offered a 12-month residency and a monthly stipend of R10,000 (subject to statutory deductions) will be made available. The Programme is designed as a stimulus effort and no additional project / seed funding will be made available through the programme. The closing date for applications is 17:00 on 31 August 2023.
For inquiries, contact Jermain Johnson via email at air@uj.ac.za.
Current Artists In Residence
Muhammad Dawjee
Muhammad Dawjee is an artist working with sound, space and music, from racially designated indian apartheid group-area, Laudium, Pretoria. As a 90s (post-)apartheid rainbow child, he's always been grappling with the nuanced identities of South African brown people(s) and uses music, sound and space to unearth histories of generational colonial subjugation, migration and pursuits of liberation. Since relocating to Johannesburg in 2015, he cofounded the indo-jazz trio Kinsmen, served as a member of the pan-Afrikan septet iPhupho L’ka Biko and toured internationally with the acclaimed experimental performance-art ensemble The Brother Moves On (TBMO). From 2019-2021, he co-led Unit 19: The Act of Service, a design research unit unpacking relations between ideology, mythology and space in (post-)apartheid South African cities at the Graduate School of Architecture (GSA), University of Johannesburg. Since 2022, he's been obsessed with water and rivers as vibratory archives of collective memory. His interactive installation, spectres of //khamis sa: a listening well, was exhibited in the Oscillations – Cape Town-Berlin group exhibition at the Akademie der Künste in Berlin in May 2024.
Bongani Mncube
Bongani Mncube is a 24-year-old filmmaker and media practitioner from Johannesburg, South Africa, with a distinguished background in film, television, and digital media. He is currently pursuing his second year Master of Arts in Audiovisual Communication at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), where his research focuses on the uptake of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies by South African filmmakers, particularly in relation to storytelling, production processes, and digital innovation. Bongani graduated with distinction in Film & Television Studies at the Honours level from UJ in 2022. His academic excellence has been recognized through multiple awards, including the prestigious UJenius Certificate and all place on the Dean’s List in 2020. His academic work is complimented by his professional experience as an intern at UJTV working as Presenter, Director, Producer, and Video Editor, where he manages the production of creative content, leads teams and engages with diverse audiences. Bongani has also worked on prominent projects in the South African film industry, including serving as a 2nd and 3rd Assistant Director for MTV Shuga Down South Season 3 and as an actor on SABC1’s Mysterious Cube. His dedication to integrating 4IR technologies into African filmmaking is driving his current creative work, which explores the use of AI, VR, and AR to revolutionize African storytelling and push the boundaries of digital media convergence. With a commitment to both academic research and creative innovation, Bongani’s work is at the forefront of blending African narratives with technological advancements, positioning him as a rising talent in the African film industry. His goal is to foster a unique African voice in media, driving societal change through film and digital media.
Mr. Justin Fox
Justin Fox is a novelist, poet and travel writer based in Cape Town; formerly the editor of Getaway travel magazine. He was a Rhodes Scholar and received a doctorate in English from Oxford University. He was a research fellow at the University of Cape Town, where he taught part time for two decades. His articles and photographs have appeared internationally in dozens of publications and on a wide range of topics, while his short stories and poems have appeared in various anthologies. Justin Fox has written scripts and directed award-winning documentaries and is a two-time Mondi journalism award winner. He’s written 25 books; some recent titles include Cape Town Calling (Tafelberg, 2007), Under the Sway (Umuzi, 2007), The Marginal Safari (Umuzi, 2010), Whoever Fears the Sea (Umuzi, 2014), The Impossible Five (Tafelberg, 2015), Beat Routes (Karavan Press, 2021), The Cape Raider (Penguin, 2021) and Place: South African Literary Journeys (Umuzi, 2023). He’s been long-listed for both the 2011 and 2024 Alan Paton Award for non-fiction, the 2012 Olive Schreiner Prize for Literature, the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature, and both the 2014 and 2022 Sunday Times Fiction Award. Justin Fox the 2014 winner of the Patricia Schonstein Poetry in McGregor Award.
Franco Prinsloo
Franco Prinsloo, an accomplished composer and conductor hailing from Pretoria, South Africa, has garnered acclaim for his award-winning contributions to contemporary classical music. Specializing in choral and vocal compositions and music for theatre and dance, Prinsloo has demonstrated a mastery of diverse musical styles. In 2019, he earned the prestigious ACT IMPACT AWARD for Young Professionals from the Nedbank Arts and Culture Trust in recognition of his outstanding composition skills. Further solidifying his status in the artistic community, Prinsloo was honored with the Medal of Honour for Art by the South African Academy of Science and Art in 2023. Prinsloo's notable choral work, "Wieglied," achieved widespread recognition, earning him an Aitsa! award for the best classical music track of the year in 2023. Additionally, his album with the Vox Chamber Choir resulted in the South African Music Award for the album "Fire Beast," featuring original compositions that have been featured on various Spotify playlists. The year 2023 also marked Prinsloo's nomination at the South African Film and Television Awards for Best Soundtrack, recognizing his exceptional musical contributions to the Showmax original series, "Donkerbos," with the Vox Chamber Choir. Prinsloo also received a nomination for best original soundtrack at the Silwerskermfees for his score for the feature film “Wonderlus”. Internationally sought after, Prinsloo has received commissions from renowned choirs such as The King’s Singers. His compositions resonate globally, and he regularly participates in international choral events and congresses. Notably, a selection of his music has been published internationally. In addition to his creative pursuits, Prinsloo is the founder and conductor of the Vox Chamber Choir, an internationally acclaimed ensemble based in Pretoria, South Africa.
Bev Butkow
Bev Butkow (b. Johannesburg, 1967) is a South African spatial-weaver and research-based artist, who arrived late to the arts, first holding a paintbrush in her mid-40’s. Her personal shape-shifting journey has seen her explore both financial-mathematical-left-brain and the more embodied experiences of an artist-woman/artist-mother. Woven throughout Butkow’s 2023 solo exhibition titled re-weaving mother at the Origins Centre Museum, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, was the presence of care for her tactile human-made materials, an ailing planet, the body, and for one another. Butkow has exhibited locally and internationally, including at the 2022 Dakar Biennale, Senegal and 1-54 Art Fair in London. She showed tactile immersive installations at the curated Yi Tai Projects, Art Central Hong Kong 2023 and Tomorrows/Today, Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2022. She presented her work at 2022 Contextile Bienal TextileTALKS, Portugal and at various academic conferences, and is published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Butkow returned to Wits 25 years post her previous degree to obtain a Master of Fine Arts in 2022 under scholarship from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and Honours in History of Art in 2017, both cum laude. She co-founded a rural library and served for over a decade on the Board of 11 schools.
Zebra Collective
The Zebra Collective is an artistic collaboration between Dr. Michael Gould, a music professor at the University of Michigan, and Masimba Hwati, an interdisciplinary artist and researcher. They started working together in 2022 in Berlin to create Nyami Nyami, a project with the Tanz Tangente dance school and gallery. This installation and performance series explores how climate change and human activities are affecting the Tonga people along the Zambezi River, placing these issues in the broader context of the Anthropocene era. The collective's work combines sculpture and technology to examine the ecological and cultural impact of the Kariba Dam on the Zambezi River, with the river deity Nyami Nyami symbolizing nature's resistance to human influence. Over time, the Zebra Collective has developed and performed several versions of Nyami Nyami.
Masimba Hwati
Hwati works internationally in sculpture, sound, performance, video and text. His MFA is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and his PhD is from the Academy of Fine Art Vienna. A 2019 Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture graduate. He studied and taught sculpture at the Harare Polytechnic School in Harare. Museum collections include The Philharmonie de Paris, Darlene M. Perez Art Collection- Miami, Florida, University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA), and Iziko-South African National Gallery. George R. Nnamdi - Detroit Michigan, Scott White Contemporary - San Diego, Leridon & Gervanne, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Manchester Contemporary. In 2021 he showed and performed at the British textile Biennale in Blackburn, United Kingdom. During the 56th Venice Biennale, he exhibited at the Zimbabwean Pavilion. In Grahamstown, South Africa, he is an honorary research fellow at Rhodes University. Special projects and solo shows include London, Lagos, Belgium, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Berlin, Weimar, USA, France, Nova Scotia, Halifax Canada, Blackburn, Manchester, South Carolina, Brussels, Belgium, Nottingham, Berlin, Texas El Paso, Ann Arbor Michigan, British Textile Biennale 2021. Books include Der Seeteufel: And Other Alien Species in the Mysteriously Dark Labyrinths of the Danube-2022- Sokunge (As if)- (2021). Currently, Hwati is working on another book, Chidzimbahwe sonic philosophies. Albums include: Hwati Collino LP, Lakenights 2019, under Alien Passengers Soil, Root Leaf 2025 under Collapsing Drums.
Michael Gould
Michael Gould is a Professor of Music at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the Percussion Department in the School of Music, Theater & Dance and the Residential College (College of Literature, Science and the Arts). He is currently the Director of the Center for World Performance Studies. Michael received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance at the University of Kentucky. He received his Master of Music degree from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Gould has received international recognition as a performer and scholar in the field of drum set, contemporary percussion performance and pedagogy. He has performed and given clinics all over the world. Michael has released over 100 educational percussion videos through playalongmusic.com. He has also composed and performed music for a wide range of ensembles and venues from the Münich Opera and Ballet to National Public Radio. He has had unique collaborations with engineers, material scientists, painters, poets, dancers, athletes and business professionals. His book for the iPad-- The Drum Diaries is available worldwide through the Apple iTunes store. He is also the music director for Tangente Dance Company in Berlin, Germany. Gould is currently the Director for the Center for World Performance Studies at the University of Michigan. His piece “Remember Me” was performed recently at the Kunsthaus Dahlem in Berlin, Germany and include dance, theater, percussion, electronics, and original artwork. The work has been published by Alternative Press, Ann Arbor, MI. He has also recently worked with Henry Pollack (the co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize) on an art installation piece entitled A World Without Ice. The piece focuses on both poles and addresses issues of climate change. Gould is also the winner of the UM Provost Teaching Innovation Prize and the Harold Haugh Award for excellence in teaching
Oupa Sibeko
Oupa Sibeko (b.1992 South Africa) is an interdisciplinary artist whose work moves between theatrical, gallery, scholarly and other public contexts, overtly dealing with matter and politics of the body as a site of contested works. He graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand with a Bachelor of Art in Performance and Visual Arts in 2015 and since 2021 he is holding a Master of Fine Arts from the same University. Through his work enabling opportunities for affective and relational encounters using ritualistic performance and play, he seeks to critically engage approaches to the body, particularly the black male body, the history of representation and the ways in which certain subjectivities have been (and are) figured, (black) pain, (black) spectacle, (black) negation, and the ethical implications of reimaging and re-enacting pain. It is through African indigenous knowledge that he comes to understand and unpack his artistic practice. It is also from the same source that he borrows key elements of his performances, especially in relation to ritual and communal performances, theatre in the round, site-specific performances and the exchange of cultural Knowledge in a shared communal space.