Organizer Information
Southnord is an independent artist-run platform based in Stockholm, Sweden, dedicated to supporting artistic experimentation and cross-cultural exchange. Founded to amplify the voices and creative practices of Afro-Nordic artists, the organization works at the intersection of contemporary art, diaspora discourse, and cultural research.
Southnord develops exhibitions, collaborative projects, and residency opportunities that foster dialogue between artists in the Nordic region and creative communities across Africa. Through its initiatives, the platform aims to create new spaces for artistic exploration, critical reflection, and knowledge production rooted in transnational artistic exchange.
The organization frequently partners with art institutions and independent cultural spaces around the world. For its residency initiatives, Southnord collaborates with organizations that support experimental artistic research and interdisciplinary practices. For the current residency program, the initiative is developed in partnership with Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre (LuCAC) in Zambia—an independent nonprofit cultural space dedicated to artistic research, exhibitions, and knowledge sharing in contemporary African art.
Title & Description
Southnord Residency Programme – Open Call 07
Southnord invites applications for Open Call 07 of the Southnord Residency Programme, a unique opportunity designed for visual artists and curators of African descent who are based in the Nordic region. The residency aims to strengthen artistic exchange between Afro-Nordic practitioners and contemporary art communities on the African continent.
The selected participant will undertake an immersive residency experience hosted by the Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre (LuCAC) in Lusaka, Zambia. The program provides a platform for artists to deepen their creative practice while engaging with the local art ecosystem and cultural environment.
During the residency period, the selected artist or curator will have time and resources to focus on artistic research, experimentation, and production. The residency encourages participants to explore themes related to cultural identity, heritage, migration, and contemporary African artistic practices.
Participants will have the opportunity to interact with local artists, curators, and cultural practitioners, creating an environment that encourages collaboration, dialogue, and knowledge exchange. The program also aims to foster long-term professional networks between the Nordic and African art scenes.
Through this residency, Southnord hopes to create meaningful artistic encounters that allow participants to expand their practice while exploring new cultural contexts. The program ultimately aims to build bridges between Afro-diasporic artists in the Nordic region and emerging contemporary art platforms across Africa.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Contemporary Art
- Curatorial Practice
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Cultural Research
- Installation Art
- Multimedia Art
Eligibility
The residency is specifically designed for artists and curators of African descent who are currently based in the Nordic region.
Eligible applicants include:
- Visual artists working across contemporary art disciplines.
- Curators and artistic researchers interested in cross-cultural artistic exchange.
- Practitioners of African descent who live or were born in the Nordic countries.
- Applicants with a demonstrated commitment to contemporary art practice and cultural dialogue.
The program welcomes artists working in diverse media, including installation, multimedia, painting, sculpture, photography, and interdisciplinary artistic practices.
Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in engaging with new cultural environments and participating in collaborative artistic networks.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected participants will receive a comprehensive residency package designed to support both artistic production and cultural exchange.
Benefits include:
- Round-trip travel costs are covered by the program organisers.
- Accommodation during the residency period.
- Access to studio space and research facilities at the Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre.
- A monthly stipend to support living expenses during the residency.
- Opportunities to connect with the Zambian contemporary art community.
- The possibility to present research or creative outcomes developed during the residency.
The residency also provides valuable exposure to new audiences and networks within the international contemporary art ecosystem.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must prepare and submit the following materials:
- Artist or curator statement (maximum 500 words).
- Project proposal describing the intended residency research or artistic project (maximum 750 words).
- Portfolio of recent work (5–10 images or a digital portfolio link).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) outlining professional artistic experience and previous exhibitions or projects.
Applications should demonstrate the applicant’s artistic vision, relevance of the proposed project, and commitment to cross-cultural artistic engagement.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 22 March 2026
- Residency Duration: Approximately 2 months.
- Residency Period: Fall/Winter cycle (approximately October–January).
Location
Lusaka, Zambia
Additional Details
The Southnord Residency Programme forms part of the organization’s broader mission to strengthen artistic networks between the Nordic region and Africa. By creating opportunities for Afro-diasporic artists to work within African cultural contexts, the program aims to challenge conventional narratives of artistic mobility and create meaningful transcontinental collaboration.
Participants will benefit from an environment that supports experimentation, research, and creative production while fostering dialogue with local artists and curators. The residency also contributes to the development of new artistic perspectives rooted in cultural exchange and global artistic collaboration.