Call for applications: 2021 Africa No Filter fellowship programme

The fellowship will be held remotely for 12 months, between April 2021 and April 2022. Some 12 artists will be awarded the opportunity to develop and deliver a project that demonstrates and/or explores how art and creativity can challenge Africa’s harmful narratives and present contemporary, accurate narratives. 

The fellows will receive $5 000 each to help execute the proposed project, document their findings, and establish new creative methodologies that can be presented and taught to a broader audience. 

“Fellows are encouraged to propose innovative, groundbreaking projects that have both digital and in-person elements,” ANF said. “We are specifically looking for emerging artists and creative practitioners who are passionate about challenging pre-existing harmful narratives, using art and creativity as a medium.” 

Requirements

Applicants should submit the following:

• A project proposal.
• Project aims and milestones.
• Project outcome (such as a book, documentary film, report, event etc.).

Note:

• Successful applicants will be required to host at least one digital peer-to-peer skills sharing session.
• ANF prioritises emerging creative practitioners living in sub-Saharan and North Africa. However, interested Africans from the diaspora are welcome to apply if they can demonstrate that their work is Africa-focused and includes the collaboration or involvement of creatives living in Africa. 

The ANF will provide the following:

• One-on-one mentorship – each fellow will be assigned to a mentor with whom the fellow will meet virtually once a month.
• Monthly fellow meetings for peer-to-peer skills sharing.
• New networks – ANF will host quarterly networking events where the fellows will meet with leading creative practitioners.
• An annual in-person convening in the autumn of 2021 (subject to change due to COVID-19).
• Feedback on the proposed project.
• Marketing and dissemination of the project to funders and the ANF community.

How to apply

Interested applicants should read the guidelines here before accessing the application form here.

The application deadline is 15 February.

About Africa No Filter

ANF is a donor collaborative funded by Ford Foundation, Bloomberg, Andrew W Mellon Foundation, Luminate, Open Society Foundation, Comic Relief and the Hilton Foundation. It supports the development of nuanced stories that shift existing, stereotypical narratives about Africa through research, grant making and advocacy. ANF’s goal over time is to leave an empowered narrative change ecosystem and an informed community of storytellers who work more deliberately to change harmful narratives about Africa.