Call for applications: LAPA artist residency in Johannesburg

Successful applicants will reside at a communal art space called LAPA in Brixton, Johannesburg. LAPA is a collaborative residency space that is designed to promote regional exchange in Africa and present new opportunities for mutual learning, growth and change. LAPA came into fruition as a result of more than a decade of a working relationship between Goethe-Institut and VANSA.

The call seeks to bolster intersections of artists, communities and cultural organisations to develop sustainable exchange. It also aims to enable practising artists to develop and explore new pan-African artistic trajectories. As a process-based residency for artistic research, artists are encouraged to shape their research through new material inquiries and forms. 

Artists should take note of the two residency sessions before applying:

Resident number 1

• Arrival: 2 August 2021
• Departure: 5 November 2021

Resident number 2

• Arrival: 10 January 2022
• Departure: 29 April 2022

Who should apply?

• Local artists in the early stages of forming new ways of working and developing their artistic research or radically shifting their practice are encouraged to apply. 
• Artists should have a minimum of five years’ artistic practice.

Outcome

As the name LAPA reflects the residency’s manifesto, the core principles relate to neighbourliness, conviviality, community environment and home. Artists are encouraged to engage with ideas of community and propose a public moment for their work during their residency time. The outcome as a public moment is arranged on a case-by-case basis. The artist should consider their trace and impact in the community of LAPA and Brixton.

Accommodation

• Successful artists will live in their own apartments with a bedroom, office space, two bathrooms, kitchen and an open plan dining/living and studio space. 
• Artists will have a combination lounge/dining and studio space of approximately 25 metres.
• Artists are welcome to work from the public co-working space on the ground floor.
• Should the resident have specific studio-based needs, this should be clearly outlined in their application.

Artists will be paid:

• Travel expenses to and from the LAPA residence.
• Living/subsistence, production costs and other supplies. 
•  R10 000 per month to cover living expenses and materials.
• A separate allocation will be made for the artist’s public moment. 
• Artists will also be provided support regarding installation, documentation, PR and coordination.

Interested artists can apply here.

The submission deadline is 25 June and all applicants will receive a response by 2 July. 

“The space is evolutive as it invites curiosity and initiates artistic models to engage with human questions,” a joint Goethe-Institut-VANSA statement reads. “LAPA pursues deeper artistic research in order to maintain lively exchange and discussion. This expands through its programming in the form of LAPA Radio, LAPA Library Jams and LAPA archives.

“Artists have the space to determine their method and work plan as motivated by the demands of their research. LAPA commits to facilitate this by offering a working space, supportive programme of discussions and connections to other art professionals. By inviting artists who work in a variety of mediums, we emphasise experimentation over medium.”

View the original call here.