CAPE TOWN, Dec. 7, 2010 – Pro Helvetia Cape Town, the Swiss Arts Council, is inviting applications from arts practitioners in southern Africa for studio and research residencies in Switzerland in 2011/12.
The call is open to practitioners – including curators, event organisers and mediators – from a wide range of disciplines, including visual arts, theatre, dance, music and literature. Studio residencies are up to three months long and give practitioners the chance to gain a broad insight into a different cultural environment. During this time, they can find inspiration, establish networks and make their work known in a new context, without being under any professional obligations. Research residencies, generally four weeks in duration, enable practitioners to carry out research in Switzerland. The aim of the residency is to prepare a project. In both instances, Pro Helvetia will provide a specialist in the field to support the artist in residence. Pro Helvetia also covers the costs of travel, insurance, accommodation and per diem expenses. Applicants should have a convincing track record, having produced artistic work on a public platform for at least three years, and adequate English or German language skills. Pro Helvetia Cape Town will be able to approve four or five applications for studio residencies under this call. For studio residencies, applications must be submitted in English on or before February 1, 2011 at myprohelvetia.ch. Applications for research residencies may be submitted at http://www.myprohelvetia.ch at any time up to three months before the start of the trip. Application forms are also available, upon request from or on +27 21 465 9033. For more information about Pro Helvetia, its residency programme and previous artists in residence, visit www.prohelvetia.org.za.
