EU – West Africa Arts Fusion Residency & Expo 2024

The EU – West Africa Arts Fusion Residency & Expo 2024 is designed to illuminate the world with the power of artistic fusion in the heart of West Africa, where numerous cultures merge.

This fascinating event gathers artists and creatives from Ghana, Togo, Benin, and EU Member States together to stimulate cross-continental collaboration and cultural interaction.

The selected artists will embark on a residency project in Ghana (near Accra, on the coast) culminating in a closing event at the residence of the EU Ambassador in Ghana, H.E. Irchad Razaaly in Accra.

Four artists from each category (fashion, music, visual arts) will be chosen from Ghana, Togo, Benin, and European Member states, to take place in the Fusion residency.

Cost Covered

• For the EU nationals, eligible transportation costs will include the cost of return flight fare and visa from an EU Member State (excluding overseas territories, only travel costs from the European territory of the EU is eligible) or overland fare from Benin, Togo and Ghana;
• For the Ghanaian, Togolese and Beninoise artists, eligible transportation costs will be from either Benin, or Togo or Ghana to the place of the residency in Ghana and back.
• Artists will be provided GHC 800 per diem for each day of the 9-day programme, to sustain their basic needs and pay for meals.
• The organiser will provide access to some sewing machines, music recording equipment, paints, canvas, and textiles. However, it is highly recommended for the artists to try and bring materials, equipment, and accessories needed for their work.

Residency

• The artist residency is scheduled to take place from 10th to 19th of February, 2024

Rules of Eligibility

• Nationality and residence:
  • Artists need to be of the following nationalities: Ghanaian, Togolese, Beninoise, national of one of the 27 EU Member States;
  • In addition, nationals of Ghana, Togo and Benin should be able to prove they reside in one of these three countries: Ghana, Togo and Benin;
  • Nationals of the EU Member States need to reside either in one of the 27 EU Member States, or in Ghana, Togo or Benin
• There is no age limit, apart from lower age limit of 18 years old.
• Rule on verification of nationality
  • Artists will be asked to submit a bio page of their passport. Nationals of Ghana, Togo and Benin may also choose to upload a copy of their national identity document (as per ECOWAS rules they may cross borders using their ID card, although passports are recommended).
• Rule on verification of country of residence:
  • In cases when it would be not clear what is the country of residence of an artist, the country of residence of an artist to be considered for this event will be the one from which (s)he would need to travel from to participate in the programme.
• Popularity/fame:
  • There is a limit of how recognised/popular/established/famous an artist eligible to apply for Fusion should be. The programme is for rising artists who are not too popular yet.
  • The jury members will look at the profile of each applicant artist and they are empowered to make a decision of non-eligibility of an artist due to considerable fame already surrounding her/him.

For more information, visit EU-West Africa.