Tafaria Artists in Residence
Tafaria cHub (Creative Hub) Tafaria Castle incorporates an ecosystem to support the creative and cultural industries – this creative hub (cHub) includes an Amphitheatre for performing arts, cHub studio for visual arts, cHub digital design space, the Dungeon library and Maiden Love for the display of Kenya’s heritage. The impetus behind cHub is to demonstrate how rural areas can be invigorated to provide viable sites for professional pursuits and unconventional employment and entrepreneurial opportunities as part of an environmental, economic and social transformation through the development of a creative economy in a rural setting.
Artists-in-Residence Programme The artists-in-residence programme acts as a creative incubator by identifying local talent and mentoring them through a paired residency programme where established visual and performing artists, craftspeople, designers and writers develop local practice and/or business abilities with the goal of turning out independent creative practitioners and/or entrepreneurs. Part of the programme requires the artists to immerse themselves into the community where they investigate local problems and generate solutions expressed in a creative medium, for example, enlivening the interiors of dull medical facilities with mood-uplifting sculpture or using light installations to mark and delimit water bodies to reduce the risk of accidental drowning. The programme’s complementary role is to enhance local image and prestige through exhibitions, performances, publications and media events. Previous artists-in-residence have included Kevin Oduor, Cyrus Kabiru, Lionel Garang, Rosemary Ahono, Josefina Muùoz and Meshack Oiro all from Kuona Trust in Nairobi.
Conservation and Improved Aesthetics An integral part of the programme is enhancing the physical environment around Tafaria by conserving nature and refining the look of the village by growing and maintaining hedges, planting trees and shrubs, greening the fringes of waterways/bodies, cobbling roads and paths using local rubble and encouraging a maintenance and recycling culture.
Facilities and Resources Art residents are housed in Tafaria Castle and Country Lodge staff accommodation and provided meals in the staff canteen. Some basic tools are available but any specialist materials or equipment will need to be brought in by the artists who will also be responsible for their personal upkeep beyond the room and meals. Residents have access to the studios, library, amphitheatre, lodge restaurant and bar, on-site recreational and fitness facilities and the substantial grounds. There is free wifi.
Applications for Art Residency We invite applicants to take up residency at Tafaria cHub for up to 8 weeks. Applicants should provide the following information a one page statement describing : • Your current artistic practice (visual or performing art, crafts, design, literature, etc.) with some examples (should be provided separately in an electronic medium) • The reasons for your interest in this residency and which particular project you will be developing during the residency • How the opportunity provided by this residency will impact your future work and professional and personal development • A current CV containing your email and telephone contacts and the names, email and telephone contacts of two professional referees (we will only contact your referees if your application is shortlisted for interview) •
Selection Criteria
Selection will be based on the following criteria: • The extent to which you demonstrate how your work during the residency will help deliver the desired outcomes above • Your need for a period of concentrated, collaborative, socially engaging and community based work • Your interest in working within a community of artists including a willingness to discuss and share ideas with other residents and the rural community around Tafaria • Your willingness and ability to work alongside and mentor local artisans during the course of your residency
Registration and Cost The cost for a two-month residency is USD 6000. This includes return transfers from Nairobi to Tafaria, accommodation, meals, local facilitation and connection with community members, workshops with local artists, locally available recycled materials, studio / working space, basic tools, exhibition / performance at Tafaria Castle. We accept applications throughout the year but expect applicants to state the preferred period of their residency. Applications and supporting material should be emailed to: artresidency@tafaria.com