Open call: AmaGroove Residency 2026 in SA

Established as a collaborative platform for musicians and producers from South Africa and abroad, AmaGroove aims to support creative experimentation, cultural exchange and long-term artistic development.

Open call details

• Applications are open from 3 December 2025 to 6 January 2026.
• Artists at both emerging and established levels are invited to apply.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate:

• Creative originality.
• Openness to collaboration.
• A willingness to explore new musical approaches.
• An interest in cross-cultural exchange.

Selected participants will take part in a week-long residency featuring:

• Collaborative music-making sessions.
• Creative workshops.
• Wellness and reflective activities.
• Cultural immersion experiences.
• Live performances.

Programme partners

• The 2026 edition is presented through a partnership between:
• Autor (Denmark’s largest community of songwriters and composers)
• Riky Rick Foundation
• Danish Embassy in South Africa
• Kroomdraai Impact Hub

One Groove

• The collaboration seeks to strengthen artistic development and expand opportunities for musicians across borders.

Curatorial team

The residency is curated by:

• Muneyi, a South African singer-songwriter recognised for his indie-folk work rooted in Tshivenda culture.
• Mishy Kope, an alumnus of the 2025 AmaGroove Residency based in Cape Town.
• Msaki, a multidisciplinary artist and founder of ALTBLK Continua.

Residency focus

AmaGroove has become known for supporting:

• Community-driven music creation
• Experimentation across genres
• Partnerships that continue beyond the residency
• Artistic freedom and collaboration inspired by the legacy of Riky Rick

What selected participants receive

• Access to professional production support and mentors
• A dedicated creative environment at Kromdraai
• Collaboration opportunities with South African and Danish artists
• Exposure to wider networks and performance platforms

How to apply

• Applicants may submit their materials through the official AmaGroove page.

Further updates will be shared on AmaGroove’s Instagram account.