Call for Applications: Kuonyesha Art Fund for Artists/Creatives

The fund also promotes and support artists to improve the quality of arts in a way that enhances the meaningful influence and participation of art and artists in the issues shaping society and public life in Africa. Kuonyesha is a Swahili word that means to show. Through the Art Fund, they show, depict, highlight, elevate, spotlight, support and celebrate the arts in Africa. The Art Fund is open to and deliberate about learning and growing as they go along – learning from the artists themselves, learning from and about the art field, learning from and with the Advisory Committee comprising artists and learning from and with the partners of the fund and other donors that join us along the way.

CIVFUND is passionate about strengthening the capacity of civil society to steer change and improve the well- being of their communities. The Kuonyesha Art Fund is one of the funding streams under the CIVFUND.

Overall Goal

• To support, promote and celebrate art and artists in their diversity in Africa.

Eligibile Projects

• The Art Fund acknowledges that there are numerous types of the Arts in Africa, and therefore, the fund will focus on the broader clusters of Visual, Performing and Literary arts further expounded into the following categories:
  • Visual Arts (e.g. Painting, sculpture, weaving, woodcut printing, Crafts etc.)
  • Fashion and product design
  • Literature (including publishing)
  • Audio-Visual (Graphics & Animation, New Media )
  • Dance & Music
  • Theatre
  • Film and Photography
  • Folklore/Spoken word
  • Arts research
  • Multi-disciplinary projects
  • Exhibitions/Publications/Arts dissemination
  • Other

Who may apply? 

• The grant award is open to all artists of all ages living and working on the Africa continent; minors may be required to be accompanied & guided by an adult. Female artists and artists who are Persons with Disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
• Individual artists who are established and have demonstrated ability to influence communities through their art. They will most likely have a track record and be able to demonstrate ability to manage funds/resources responsibly.
• Artists that have potential to do more with their art; they may have some ideas and/or even made an initial investment in their art project but are unable to proceed because of limited resources. The Fund will serve as a ‘push fund’ for such artists.
• New and/or emerging artists who may not have much exposure or are trying new ideas and require investment to enable them further to explore and show case their work.
• Artists that require support to enhance the quality of their work for instance through additional research, technical art training, provision of equipment, as well as exposure.
• Only artists who are living in and/or citizens or have been granted permanent residence in any country in Africa may apply.
• All grant award winners are required to take up the grant awards as per the dates mentioned in the entry details or call of the application year.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• The winning artists are selected based on; originality, feasibility, the quality of their work, technique prowess, conceptual and thematic engagement, hones treasoning, and rationale of the submitted ideas/ artists’ works /art projects in their chosen Arts field.
• Projects that critically address/reflect on urgent socio – political issues/ a relevant topic in society.
• Projects that seek to build relations with new or broader audiences within the African discourse.
• Projects that develop new collaborative ways of working with communities, activists, scientists and the like.
• Projects that bring art to new spaces.

For more information, visit Kuonyesha Art Fund.