Established in 1990, the Thami Mnyele Foundation aims to advance cultural exchange between artists from Africa and the diaspora, the Netherlands and Amsterdam in particular. To this aim, the Foundation offers studio residencies African artists of all disciplines of contemporary visual art (painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, video, film, audio and multimedia).
The Foundation’s Full Residency Programme is awarded competitively to artists from the whole of Africa. The Thami Mnyele Foundation usually offers two Full Residency Programme scholarships per year. Applicants are evaluated by an independent committee of art professionals, who are appointed by the Board of the Foundation.
Those selected are offered accommodation and studio space for a three-month period. Artists who are selected for the Full Residency Programme also receive:
- A monthly allowance which covers the costs for living and materials (currently amounting to euro 850 per month).
- Reimbursement of return travel to Amsterdam.
- Medical and legal liability insurance for the period of stay.
- Assistance in applying for visa.
- An introduction to the Dutch art world and access to the Foundation’s extensive network.
