BAG FACTORY: RESIDENCY PROGRAMME / FUNDED STUDIO PROGRAMME / BLESSING NGOBENI STUDIO AWARD

1. VISITING ARTIST RESIDENCY
The Bag Factory is looking for three mid-career visiting artists, either locally or internationally based, to participate in our visiting artists programme. There are two programme dates:

1. 1 June and run until 15 August 2024 (1 artist)
2. Mid September and run until 9 December 2024 (2 artists)

The visiting artists’ programme at the Bag Factory allows mid-career artists from around South Africa and the world to spend a period of three months working in a collective of artists’ studios based in downtown Johannesburg. The programme offers you the opportunity to interact with local artists, to expand your network internationally and to experience a climate of cultural diversity. Working at the studios, you will get to know the permanent artists at the Bag Factory, the city of Johannesburg and something about the art world in Johannesburg and South Africa.
Visiting artists are expected to:

• work from the Bag Factory, interacting with Bag Factory and local artists, and experiencing the city.
• produce new works to be exhibited at the Bag Factory before the end of their stay.
• conduct at least one community oriented outreach programme.
• complete a written report on their visit
• arrive on time and stay for the full period (three months).

What will a successful applicant receive?

• Accommodation for 11 weeks (almost 3 months)
• A studio space
• A basic monthly per diem to cover food and transportation within the city.
• A small materials budget for art production while you are here.
• A small budget for an outreach community workshop
• The costs of your exhibition, within reason, will be covered by the Bag Factory.
• What do visiting artists need to source for themselves?
  
• Participation fee
• Travel & health Insurance
• Visa costs
• Transport costs to and from South Africa
• Costs of shipping works back to their country of origin

Applicants should not expect to profit financially from their stay at the Bag Factory, as this is cultural development programme.
2. FUNDED STUDIO PROGRAMME
The Bag Factory is providing one emerging artist with a year long bursary. The programme will begin on 01 February 2024 and conclude with an exhibition at the end of January 2024 at the Bag Factory.
What does the Bag Factory offer?

• A studio that is approximately 15m², with 2 wooden walls suitable for hanging
• An electricity point is provided for standard use. (kiln’s, air conditioners, and other high voltage devices need to be discussed with the office.)
• Wireless internet access
• Basic security
• Become part of the Bag Factory community
• An exhibition of new works, created during the period, at the Bag Factory

Who is eligible?
The artist must be:

• a full-time practicing visual artist who is capable of regularly using a studio in their visual arts practice.
• An artist with a willingness to be involved in the Bag Factory’s projects and eventsattend all artists meetings

Studio Cost?
There will be a one month deposit payable (that will be returned upon completion of the project) of R1760.
3. BLESSING NGOBENI STUDIO RESIDENCY
Artist Blessing Ngobeni will be supporting a young and emerging artist. For three months, Blessing will provide a young artist with studio space at the Bag Factory as well as a small materials budget.
This programme will begin on 1 December and run until 28 February 2024.
The artist is expected to:

• work from the Bag Factory, interacting with Bag Factory and local artists, and experiencing the city.
• attend the Bag Factory’s events and artist’s meetings
• produce new works
• complete a written report on their visit
• arrive on time and stay for the full period (10 weeks).

What will a successful applicant receive?

• A studio space
• A small materials budget for art production while you are here.

Applicants should not expect to profit financially from their stay as this is cultural development programme.
DEADLINE FOR ALL SUBMISSIONS is Wednesday 16 November 2024
What must Applicants submit?

• a representative portfolio of work produced in the past five years of at least 10 works and no more than 20, preferably by email. Images should not be larger than 300kb and each email no larger than 2MB.
• a substantial curriculum vitae with full names, references, addresses and contact numbers
• a brief letter of motivation, not more than one A4 page long, outlining reasons for wishing to join the programme and why specifically you wish to come to the Bag Factory
• If you have attended any other workshops or residencies of the Triangle Arts Network such as Greatmore, Thupelo, Thapong, Kuona, or Batapata, please specify where and when.

How are the applications assessed?
Applications are assessed by a selection committee. Please be advised that if your application is successful for the visiting artists’ programme and you are not from South Africa, there is a participation fee you are required to pay 60 days prior to arrival in order to confirm your place in the programme.
TO APPLY, EMAIL AYSHA: aysha@bagfactoryart.org.za
Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed.
The Bag Factory would like to thank its funders and partners who make these programmes possible:
Blessing Ngobeni
The National Lotteries Commission