PROSPA PUBLISHING WORKSHOP: CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

We invite applications from scholarly writers in the visual and performing arts of Africa who are currently based on the African continent. Successful applicants will be provided with transport and accommodation for the workshop, and will have access to academic and editorial support.
Approximately six funded presenters will be selected.
Background and goals of the workshop:
PROSPA (Publishing and Research of the South: Positioning Africa) is a new Mellon programme run by the Arts of Africa and the Global South research team at Rhodes University, and is linked to the Africa- based editorial consortium partnership of the MIT Press journal, African Arts. The latest issue of African Arts (Summer 2024, 50:2)* is the first to be published by the Rhodes University consortium partner, and the core goal of the Rhodes editorial board is to increase the participation of scholars based on the African continent.
These annual publishing workshops will bring together Africa-based scholars working in the visual arts who seek to: (1) share information about scholarly publishing in a collaborative environment and (2) contribute towards raising the visibility of Africa-based scholars in the global academy. Selected participants will present article drafts at the workshop, and together we will prepare articles for submission to African Arts and/or other suitable scholarly journals.
Who is eligible to participate?

1. Scholars in the field of the arts of Africa who have relevant original material that has not yet been published.
2. Scholarly writers based on the African continent who aim to publish their work in English in relevant academic journals. Please note that the focus is on scholarly writing rather than writing for newspapers, blogs, or popular magazines.
3. Experienced authors as well as scholars aiming to publish for the first time will be considered. No formal institutional affiliation is necessary.
4. Please note that scholars who presented at the 2024 workshop at Rhodes University are not eligible to apply.

Applicants need to commit to the entire process, which includes:

1. Submission of abstract and application material by May 26, 2024
2. If application is successful, submission of an article draft (about 6000 words) by June 22, 2024. (Please note that workshop participation is dependent on full draft submission).
3. Participation in the entire workshop, which includes providing feedback on other papers.
4. Resubmission of revised article by 31 August 2024 for editorial support
5. Submission of final paper, copyright permission and images by 30 September 2024. (The format of images and copyright permission will be discussed at the workshop).

Application process:
Deadline for application: May 26, 2024
Please send the following documents to Shirley Kabwato (s.kabwato@ru.ac.za):

1.  A current CV.
2. A 300 to 400 word abstract for an article suitable for African Arts or another relevant scholarly journal that can be ready for publication by September 2024. Please state which journal you aim to publish in, and familiarize yourself with the journal.
3. A short statement about past publishing experience and future publishing goals.
4. Current residential address.
5. Current institutional affiliation if applicable.

For further information please contact Prof Ruth Simbao (r.simbao@ru.ac.za) or Dr Amanda Tumusiime (tumusiimeamanda@gmail.com).
Please note that while the workshop aims to support authors in the process of preparing for publication, participation in the workshop does not guarantee publication and all submissions will be peer reviewed.
*The dialogue “Reaching Sideways, Writing Our Ways” from African Arts, Summer 2024, Vol. 50, No.2 is free of charge and can be accessed on the African Arts website. This dialogue was co-authored by Ruth Simbao, William B. Miko, Eyitayo Tolulope Ijisakin, Romuald Tchibozo, Masimba Hwati, Kristin NG-Yang, Patrick Mudekereza, Aidah Nalubowa, Genevieve Hyacinthe, Lee-Roy Jason, Eman Abdou, Rehema Chachage, Amanda Tumusiime, Suzana Sousa, Fadzai Muchemwa. http://www.mitpressjournals.org/toc/afar/50/2.