Organizer Information
This opportunity is issued by Expertise France, a leading public institution under the French Development Agency (AFD) Group. It is one of Europe’s largest international technical cooperation agencies, implementing development programs across governance, culture, education, climate, and economic transformation.
The call is embedded within the SANKOFA II project, an EU-funded cultural development initiative aimed at strengthening Ghana’s Cultural Heritage sector and expanding its Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). The project operates at the intersection of cultural policy, creative economy development, and international cooperation, with a strong emphasis on youth empowerment, gender inclusion, and sustainable cultural growth across West Africa.
Title & Description
Call for Curator – West Africa Fusion Artist Residency (2026–2028)
This Curatorial Residency Programme seeks a Ghana-based expert to design, coordinate, and implement the West Africa Fusion Artist Residency, a long-term regional platform supporting interdisciplinary artistic collaboration across West Africa.
The programme brings together artists working in Visual Arts, Music, Fashion, and Audiovisual Arts, creating a structured environment for creative exchange, capacity building, and transnational collaboration.
Each edition of the residency is thematically driven—addressing topics such as cultural heritage, sustainability, identity, and contemporary West African cultural narratives. The curator will be responsible for shaping the conceptual and operational framework of the residency across three consecutive editions (2026, 2027, 2028).
The assignment is not an artistic production residency but a strategic cultural leadership role focused on designing a scalable and sustainable Residency Programme aligned with EU cultural development priorities.
The Role Overview
- Position Title: Curator – Artist Residency Programme
- Contract Type: Fixed-term contract (CDD) / Freelancer Expert
- Duration: 60 working days (July–December 2026)
- Fee / Salary: Not explicitly defined (based on financial proposal)
- Reporting To: Project Manager – SANKOFA II, Expertise France
- Programme Scope: West Africa Fusion Artist Residency (2026–2028)
- Project Framework: EU-funded cultural development initiative under SANKOFA II
- Location: Accra, Ghana (with regional engagement across West Africa)
Position & Tasks
The selected curator will act as a program architect and cultural coordinator responsible for:
A. Residency Programme Design
- Developing the full conceptual and operational framework of the Residency Programme
- Defining thematic directions aligned with cultural and creative industry priorities
- Structuring milestones, timelines, and deliverables for participating artists
B. Participant Selection & Governance
- Designing eligibility criteria and transparent selection processes
- Coordinating selection committees and expert panels
- Supporting outreach strategies across West Africa with a focus on youth and women
C. Artistic Development & Capacity Building
- Designing training and professional development modules for artists
- Identifying mobility, exchange, and international networking opportunities
- Facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration across sectors
D. Visibility & Reporting
- Designing dissemination and public presentation formats
- Developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks
- Producing final reports on outcomes, impact, and recommendations
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Cultural Management
- Visual Arts
- Audiovisual Arts / Film
- Music
- Fashion Design
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Cultural Policy & Heritage Programming
- Residency Program Design
- Arts Administration
Eligibility
This call is strictly targeted to professionals rather than emerging artists. Eligible applicants include:
- Ghana-based curatorial experts (mandatory base requirement)
- Professionals with strong experience in curating or managing artistic programs
- Candidates with demonstrated work in multidisciplinary cultural projects (music, fashion, audiovisual, visual arts)
- Individuals with strong knowledge of Ghana’s and West Africa’s creative ecosystems
- Applicants with established professional networks in the regional cultural sector
Additional preferred qualifications:
- Experience in residency programs or international cultural projects
- Experience with donor-funded or EU-funded initiatives
- Strong project coordination and program design skills
- English fluency required; French is an asset
Program Benefits
This is a freelance fixed-term expert contract (60 days total) rather than a residency or grant program.
Selected expert will receive:
- Fixed-term consultancy contract (CDD / freelancer status)
- Professional engagement over a 60-day working period (July–December 2026)
- Opportunity to design a major West African cultural residency program spanning 2026–2028
- Direct collaboration with international cultural institutions and policy stakeholders
- High-level visibility within EU-funded cultural development programming
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Methodological note (2–3 pages maximum) outlining approach and understanding of the assignment
- Updated CV of the expert
- Detailed financial proposal/budget broken down by phases of work
- Evidence of relevant experience in curatorial or cultural program development
- Optional supporting documents demonstrating prior residency or project coordination experience
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 22 June 2026
- Expected start date: July 2026
- Expected end date: December 2026
- Assignment duration: 60 working days (within the July–December 2026 period)
- Contract delivery milestones:
- T+30 days: Residency framework design proposal
- T+40 days: Selection procedure coordination report
- T+60 days: Final residency coordination report
Location
Accra, Ghana
Additional Details
The assignment is embedded in the broader SANKOFA II cultural development initiative, which focuses on strengthening Ghana’s cultural infrastructure and expanding opportunities in the Creative and Cultural Industries. The program emphasizes youth inclusion, gender equality, digital innovation, and sustainability in the arts sector.
Key responsibilities include:
- Designing the residency framework and thematic direction
- Structuring artist selection processes and ensuring transparency
- Supporting capacity-building programs for selected artists
- Facilitating regional and international mobility opportunities
- Defining visibility strategies and reporting frameworks
- Monitoring project indicators and evaluating impact
The curator will work closely with Expertise France field teams and partners, contributing to iterative program development and multi-stakeholder coordination.
This is a strategically significant role for professionals aiming to influence cultural policy and creative infrastructure development at a regional West African scale.