The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Artists in Residence (AIR) Programme 2027 is inviting applications from emerging and established artists worldwide, with preference given to applicants with a connection to Africa. The programme supports arts-practice as research across several creative disciplines.
What the UJ Artists in Residence Programme Offers
Successful applicants will receive a 10-month residency, formalised through temporary employment at the University of Johannesburg.
The programme provides a monthly stipend of R12,000, subject to statutory deductions.
Applicants should note that no additional project or seed funding will be provided through the programme. Any additional resources required to implement the proposed project must therefore be identified in the project budget and resources section of the application.
Eligible Fields
Applications are accepted in the following disciplines:
- Fine Arts and Visual Arts
- Literary Arts
- Music Composition
- Film and Television
- Theatre, Performance and Dance
- Design, including Architecture and Built Environment
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to emerging and established artists from across the globe, although applicants with a connection to Africa are preferred.
Applicants must:
- Hold a relevant post-school qualification
- Preferably have a master’s or PhD degree, as preference is given to researchers with these qualifications.
- Be able to develop, produce, implement and present an arts-practice research project remotely.
- Not be affiliated with another South African tertiary institution, particularly through employment as a lecturer, research associate or similar role.
- Submit a proposal falling within one of the eligible disciplines
Selection is competitive and considers the applicant’s career track record, productivity, academic writing experience or potential, and proposed residency project.
What Will Artists Be Expected to Do?
The primary objective is to produce at least one creative output submission during the residency that meets the Department of Higher Education’s criteria for creative outputs.
Artists in Residence will also be expected to:
- Complete the required temporary appointment documentation
- Participate in selected creative-output workshops and presentations
- Manage and administer their research projects with their host department or division
- Submit a 300-word monthly status update
- Prepare the required creative output submission
- Present workshops or lectures and participate in activities organised by their host department or division
UJ may request revisions, amendments or additions to creative-output submissions when processing them for submission to the Department of Higher Education.
What Should the Research Proposal Include?
The proposal needs to demonstrate that the project is not simply an artistic production but constitutes arts-practice as research.
Applicants should address:
1. Introduction and Outline Description
Explain the planned creative output and provide the research context behind the project.
2. Research Statement
Clearly identify the research problem or question and position the research within the relevant discipline.
3. Research Approach and Development Process
Explain the methodology and creative development process and demonstrate how the project represents a systematic investigation.
4. Knowledge Contribution
Explain how the project could advance theory, artistic practice, methodology or interdisciplinary understanding.
5. Activity Plan
Provide a clear timeline showing activities, milestones and the expected development of the project.
6. Resources
Explain the human, physical and financial resources required. Applicants must distinguish between resources already secured and resources still needed.
The resource requirements are in addition to the R12,000 monthly stipend.
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to complete the online application and submit:
- CV
- Arts-practice research proposal
- Activity plan
- Project budget
- Examples of work compiled into one PDF
- High-resolution photograph of yourself
- Required project information
- Relevant personal and academic information
- Proposed UJ host department or division
The application form also asks applicants to provide short written responses, including:
- Biography of up to 200 words
- Introduction and outline description of up to 300 words
- Research statement of up to 300 words
- Research approach and development process of up to 300 words
- Knowledge contribution of up to 300 words
Applicants must also indicate their discipline and identify a possible University of Johannesburg department or division that could host their project.
Important Funding Details
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency duration | 10 months |
| Employment arrangement | Temporary employment |
| Monthly stipend | R12,000 |
| Stipend deductions | Subject to statutory deductions |
| Additional project funding | Not provided |
| Location | Primarily remote |
| International applicants | Eligible |
| Africa connection | Preferred |
| Research output | At least one creative output submission |
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
The UJ Artists in Residence Programme is particularly suited to artists who want to combine creative practice with academic research. Rather than simply funding an artistic project, the programme requires participants to demonstrate research methodology, scholarly contribution, artistic originality and the potential to generate recognised creative research outputs.
For international artists, the opportunity is also notable because the eligibility criteria explicitly allow applications from artists across the globe.
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