Villa Karo Residency Scholarship Program 2018 for artists, writers and researchers in Benin Republic, West Africa (Funded)

Application Deadline: March 15th 2018

A Villa Karo residency is suited for both individual research and artistic work, and carrying out for instance communal projects. The ideal situation is one where scholarship holders are able to offer something to the local community. The staff of Villa Karo can assist in finding the right contacts and in organising the workshops.

The role of Villa Karo is to act as a mediator between Finnish and African artists and cultural actors. The main objective is to offer Finnish artists, researchers and teachers a possibility to reside in Africa. In addition to that, Villa Karo invites African professionals of the cultural scene to Finland.

Villa Karo is located in Grand-Popo, Benin, for Benin is one of the most democratic and politically stable countries in Africa.

The activities of the cultural centre include, among other things:

• monthly concerts and theatre and dance performances every first Saturday of the month
• film screenings every Friday
• art exhibitions
• conference and seminar rooms
• library (see list of books)
• a collection exhibiting West African ethnographic art and the history of West Africa
• guided tours for groups (e.g. schools)
• workshops on art, environment and languages, e.g. for school groups

Benefits:

• The scholarships of Villa Karo are meant for researchers and artists, as well as for other professionals of cultural and/or societal fields

The grant of Villa Karo covers

1. trip arrangements and the remaining of the plane ticket costs after excess
2. transportation from the airport (Cotonou – Grand-Popo – Cotonou)
3. accommodation and breakfast in Villa Karo for 50 euros/week
4. cleaning of the room
5. help and support in planning the trip and on the spot in Benin

Expenses the scholarship holders take care of themselves

1. 800 euros excess for the plane ticket (Villa Karo sees to the remaining 400-600 euros)
2. 50 euros per week for the accommodation and 100 euros per week for companion
3. visa and travel insurance
4. medication for malaria and vaccinations
5. hotel night in Cotonou on arrival in Benin (about 20-50 euros)
6. laundry (2,5 euros)
7. possible excursions
8. possible extensive translation services (e.g. for personal research)

How to apply?

The length of the residential periods in Villa Karo ranges from five weeks to three months.

The deadline for applications for autumn residencies (from September 1^st to December 31^st) is on March 15^th and for spring residencies (from January 1^st to May 31^st) on September 15^th.

The most important part of the application is the work plan; preferably related to Africa or African culture.

The application (a short resume and a work plan) should include the basic information (name as in passport, date of birth, contact information) and sent as PDF-file.

Applications should be sent to hakemukset[a]villakaro.org.

A detached committee evaluates applications and makes decisions on the residencies.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Villa Karo Residency Scholarship Program 2018