This innovative annual residency aims to bring a professional Ghanaian artist to the school for a three-month period, providing both the students and the artist with a unique and valuable opportunity for growth and exposure.
The residency will serve as a bridge between the children and the vibrant world of local art, offering them the chance to learn directly from a successful Ghanaian artist. By interacting with the artist, the students will gain insight into the creative process, the challenges and rewards of being an artist, and the possibility of pursuing a career in the arts. The hope is that this exposure will inspire the children, sparking their imaginations and encouraging them to see art as a viable and fulfilling career path.
For the artist, the residency provides a platform to inspire and engage with a new generation of young minds while gaining significant visibility within both local and international circles. It is intended to create a fulfilling, exciting, and potentially life-changing opportunity for a Ghanaian artist.
Another key aim of the residency is to develop the Optibac Art Department and Visual Arts programme at Awutu Winton School. We hope the chosen artist will be willing to assess the department, identify key opportunities for growth, and apply their artistic flair and innovation to help shape a more dynamic and engaging arts curriculum. As the programme is very much a work in progress, the artist’s input will be invaluable in laying a strong foundation for its future.
At the end of the residency, the artist’s work will be showcased in an exhibition in Accra. This exhibition will not only celebrate the artist’s talent, but also provide them with exposure, helping to expand their professional network and increase their presence in the art scene.
In addition, we plan to ship one to three pieces of the artist’s work to the UK, where they will be exhibited in a group exhibition.
By bridging the school and art communities, this residency aims to support both the development of the students and the artist’s career.
Residency includes:
- Accommodation for the full duration of the 13-week residency
- Monthly stipend of GHS 5,000 for food and expenses
- Expenses for artists’ materials
- Gallery exhibition in Accra
- One to three pieces to be shipped to UK for exhibition
Aims/Expectations:
- Complete a three-month residency at Awutu Breku Senior High School
- Lead three classes per week with our students
- Offer additional extracurricular art sessions outside school hours (optional but encouraged)
- Inspire students by sharing your journey as an artist and providing insight into art as a viable career path
- Introduce students to new art styles, materials, and creative techniques
- Produce a body of original artwork during the residency, to be exhibited in a gallery
Requirements:
- Candidates must be Ghanaian citizens, ideally born and raised in Ghana.
- We are accepting applications from full time, professional visual artists.
- Experience teaching is a bonus. Ideas and enthusiasm for leading lessons is a requirement.
- The ideal candidate will have exhibited their work in numerous multi-artist shows and perhaps a few solo exhibitions, either locally or internationally.
Timeframes:
Applications Open: June 2025
Interviews conducted: July – August 2025
Successful Applicant Announced: August/September 2025
Residency: November 2025 – February 2026
Exhibition: TBC
F&Q’s
Is there an application fee?
No
If my application is unsuccessful one year, can I reapply the next year?
Yes, we welcome successive applications.
I am a sculptor. Am I welcome to apply?
Yes! We are in the process of developing a ceramics department at the school. We would also welcome sculptors creating with other mediums and materials.
What if I have technical problems with the application submission process?
Please contact edpvolunteer@gmail.com with any technical problems.
Can I edit my application after it has been submitted?
Unfortunately, no. Applications cannot be edited once they are submitted.
Will I have a dedicated studio space?
Yes we are creating a dedicated, light filled studio for the artist within the school.
What time of the day would I be able to access the studio? Would I be able to create in the evenings and weekends?
Yes, you will have access to the studio as and when required.
I have special access requirements, will my needs be met?
Please contact us directly at edpvolunteer@gmail.com and we will be able to advise you. We aim to be able to support all individuals and do not discriminate based on physical ability or disability.
Is there internet access available at the school?
We currently limited WIFI in areas of the school that you may have access to.
I see the residency is over December and January, could I go home over the holidays?
The school is closed for a few days over Christmas and New Years. The resident artist is more than welcome to stay in their accommodation or travel during this period.
Can my partner, spouse, children or other family members come with me to the residency?
Unfortunately, no. The residency is intended for the individual artist.
Can friends or family members come and stay for short periods?
We do not have available accommodation for guests. If they wanted to visit they could stay at the local hotel at their own expense.
Does my application have to be in English?
We can only accept applications in English at this time. It is our goal to offer applications in other languages in the future.
How are artists selected for the residency?
Applications will be reviewed by our Selection Committee – a cohort of Senior Leaders at Awutu Winton and International art professionals.
Why is the residency only open to Ghanaian artists?
Our residency programme is grounded in a deep commitment to local empowerment, cultural relevance, and long-term impact within the community we serve. We have chosen to open this opportunity exclusively to artists who are Ghanaian citizens, born and raised in Ghana, for three main reasons:
- Representation Matters
We believe children connect more deeply when they see themselves reflected in the people around them. An artist who shares their cultural context, language, and lived experience can become a powerful role model—someone who not only creates art but also inspires by simply being present and relatable. - Community-Led Change
Social change grows strongest when it starts from within. We aim to support grassroots transformation by working with artists who are already part of the cultural and social fabric of Ghana. This ensures the work created is rooted in local realities, values, and voices. - Investing in Local Talent
This residency is not only about giving to a school—it’s about nurturing the career of a Ghanaian artist. By providing time, space, and resources, we hope to contribute to the growth of homegrown talent, helping to build a stronger, more vibrant artistic ecosystem in Ghana.
This focus is not about exclusion, but about deep inclusion—making sure that those most closely connected to the community are given the platform and support to lead creative, transformative work.
Statement of non-discrimination:
The Artist Residency Programme is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all Ghanaian artists regardless of ethnic group, sex, colour, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical ability or disability.
We will not tolerate any behaviour that has the purpose of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Violation of our policies or local laws may result in expulsion from the residency and termination of your stay.
Application Questions
- Can you share your journey and what inspired you to pursue a career as an artist?
- What are the primary sources of inspiration for your artwork, and how do these influences shape your creative process?
- What mediums do you primarily work with, and why do you choose them for your art?
- Do you have experience teaching art? If so, could you provide examples of past teaching roles or workshops you’ve led?
- Have you held any exhibitions or showcased your work publicly? If yes, could you highlight some notable experiences?
- Where has your art been exhibited or received exposure, both locally and internationally?
- How are you engaged with the Ghanaian art community, and what connections or collaborations have you established within this network?
- How do you envision your role as a mentor during this residency, and what do you hope to achieve through your engagement with the students?
- What impact do you believe art can have on young people, especially in the context of education and personal development?
- How do you see this residency aligning with your personal and professional goals as an artist?
- Please share links to your social media pages and anywhere your art is showcased online?
- Please upload a minimum of 5 pieces of your artwork.
Below is the link to the application form:
Applicants are be required to sign in with their google account, if you do not have one, these are free to create online.