Call for 2027 Artists in Residence

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for its 2027 Artists in Residence Programme, which has been running since 2022. Designed to advance arts practice as research, the programme supports artist-academics working across a range of creative disciplines.

UJ invites emerging and established artists from around the world, preferably with a connection to Africa, to apply for residencies commencing in 2027.

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Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Not be affiliated with another tertiary institution in South Africa.
• Hold a relevant post-school qualification (preference will be given to applicants with master’s and PhD degrees).

Applications close 31 August 2026. Late applications will not be considered.

Click here to apply →

Eligible Subfields

Proposals may be submitted in one or a combination of the following disciplines:

• Visual Arts and Fine Arts
• Music
• Theatre
• Performance and Dance
• Design
• Film and Television
• Literary Arts

Artists participating in the programme will be required to complete at least one creative output project within a 10-month residency. All arts-practice research and resulting projects must meet the Department of Higher Education and Training’s requirements for creative outputs.

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Virtual Information Session

Pieter Jacobs, Head of UJ Arts & Culture, will host a virtual information-sharing session to guide prospective applicants through the application process and provide further insight into the programme. Applicants will also have an opportunity to engage with the department and ask questions.

For further information about creative output submissions, please consult the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Creative Outputs Implementation Guidelines.

RSVP for the Session

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Stipend and Residency Arrangements

Successful applicants will receive a monthly stipend of R12,000 for 10 months, subject to statutory deductions.

The programme is intended as a stimulus initiative. No additional seed or project funding, travel, accommodation or per diems will be provided in addition to the monthly stipend.

Applicants may apply for remote or physical residencies. However, office, studio, rehearsal and performance spaces are limited and cannot be guaranteed.

“Time is one of an artist’s most valuable resources. Through this programme, artist-academics are given dedicated time to immerse themselves in focused research and develop meaningful creative work. We have seen the profound and lasting impact that this kind of sustained engagement can have on both artistic practice and knowledge production.” — Pieter Jacobs, Head of UJ Arts & Culture

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Selection Process

The UJ Artists In Residence appointments are made through a rigorous and competitive academic selection process. Applications will be assessed according to the applicant’s professional track record, productivity, academic writing experience and the quality and feasibility of the proposed residency project.

Only applicants who meet the programme’s academic and professional requirements will be considered for appointment.

Apply Now

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Applications and Enquiries

For enquiries, please contact Motsi Machoga on kmachoga@uj.ac.za or 011 559 1476

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Current Artists In Residence

2026 cohort — announced from the programme’s fifth call for submissions. Read full profiles →

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Previous Artists In Residence

Since its inception in 2022, the programme has supported a wide range of creative projects, including bio-art, music compositions, novellas, documentaries, and theatre productions. Artists are listed below by the year their residency was announced, verified against the original UJ Arts & Culture press releases for each cohort.