Open Call: Grants for Creative and Artistic Practitioners

Deadline: 05-Oct-2026

The Heritage Narrative Clusters Artistic Collaboration Program supports interdisciplinary artists and creative practitioners from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe to collaborate on artistic co-productions exploring the meaning and relevance of Southern African cultural heritage. Each selected artist receives a €6,000 stipend for participation in the six-month program, while travel, accommodation, per diems, and co-production and presentation costs are also covered. The initiative promotes cross-border and interdisciplinary collaboration while creating innovative artistic works that increase the visibility of Southern African heritage through film, theatre, exhibitions, and other creative formats.

About the Heritage Narrative Clusters Program

The program is designed to bring artists and creative practitioners from different Southern African countries and artistic disciplines together to explore heritage narratives through collaborative creation. Each artistic cluster is coordinated by a heritage organization and consists of nine artists from at least three different countries.

The clusters are designed to promote:

- Cross-border artistic collaboration. - Interdisciplinary exchange. - Gender balance and diversity. - Innovative approaches to heritage storytelling. - Co-production between artists and creative practitioners. - Greater visibility for Southern African cultural heritage. What Will Each Cluster Create? Each selected cluster will develop three distinct artistic productions. The hosting heritage organization will define the relevant heritage narratives and the formats through which they will be communicated.

Potential artistic outputs may include:

- Films. - Theatre productions. - Exhibitions. - Other artistic and creative productions. The program encourages participants to explore innovative storytelling methods that can communicate the meaning and contemporary relevance of Southern African cultural heritage to wider audiences. Six-Month Collaboration Program The program runs over a period of six months and combines in-person activities with online collaboration.

Selected artists will participate in:

- A one-week narrative retreat. - Two joint working sessions. - Two public project presentation events. - Online collaboration throughout the six-month project period. Participants are expected to actively contribute to the development, production, and presentation of their cluster’s artistic works. Artist Stipend Each selected artist or creative practitioner will receive a €6,000 stipend for participation over the six-month project duration.

Payment is subject to:

- Active participation in the program. - Completion of assigned activities. - Fulfilment of reporting requirements. The stipend provides financial support for artists while they participate in the collaborative development and production process. Additional Costs Covered In addition to the €6,000 stipend, the program covers several costs associated with participation and production.

Covered costs include:

- Travel expenses. - Accommodation. - Per diems. - Co-production costs. - Public presentation costs. This support allows selected artists to participate in the program and contribute to collaborative productions without having to cover the main project-related costs themselves. Family and Disability Support Additional financial support is available for participants who have family responsibilities or disability-related needs. For children aged 0–18, support of up to €100 is available for family responsibilities. Disability-related support may also be provided, with funding potentially covering up to 100% of the grant amount, depending on individual circumstances. Who Can Apply? The program is open to individual artists and creative practitioners who meet the geographic, professional, and participation requirements.

Applicants must:

- Be individual artists or creative practitioners. - Be legally residing and working in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe. - Be at least 18 years old. - Have at least three years of professional practice. - Demonstrate professional experience through a portfolio, CV, or relevant materials. - Have experience or strong potential in developing heritage-related narratives. - Be able to participate fully in the program’s activities. Eligible Countries Applicants must legally reside and work in one of the following countries: - Botswana. - Eswatini. - Lesotho. - Namibia. - South Africa. - Zimbabwe. The program is specifically designed to strengthen artistic exchange and collaboration across these Southern African countries. Professional Experience Requirement Applicants must have at least three years of professional artistic or creative practice. Professional experience can be demonstrated through relevant materials such as: - Portfolio. - CV. - Previous artistic work. - Other materials showing professional creative practice. Applicants should also demonstrate their ability to contribute meaningfully to heritage-related storytelling and collaborative artistic production. Heritage Narrative Experience Applicants should have experience or strong potential in working with heritage-related narratives. This may include creative work that explores: - Cultural heritage. - Community histories. - Identity and traditions. - Cultural memory. - Historical narratives. - Contemporary relevance of heritage. The program is particularly suited to artists interested in interpreting cultural heritage through innovative artistic and interdisciplinary approaches. Collaboration and Participation Requirements Selected artists are expected to participate actively throughout the six-month program.

Participants must be able to attend and contribute to

- The one-week narrative retreat. - Two joint working sessions. - Two public project presentation events. - Online collaborative activities. Full participation is important because the program is