Apply for our upcoming international artists residency program and experience a unique cultural exchange in an inspiring environment

We invite you to submit your applications for the 8th edition of the International Artist in Residence Program (KARP AiR 2025), which will take place from 3rd to 17th November 2025 in the Kamina Radio Rein Station and KARP land, Atakpamé, Togo. Cultural Revitalization is the theme of the program.

This year’s program is open to international artists who will find themselves in a unique space for creative exploration and development in an artistic environment. Our residencies are process-oriented and encourage artists to experiment, focus on new themes, look for inspiration in their surroundings, and perhaps a creative dialogue with other artists, both international and local. The program is designed to be both supportive and inspiring, enabling you to develop lifelong friendships, professional relationships and future collaborations.

Deadline for applications: June 10th, 2025

Announcement of selected artists: June 20, 2025

Artistic residency: November 3th – 17, 2025

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY

This is the eight years that KARP organize international residency program and it will be unique, because in addition to the experience of the residence in the ruins of Kamina, the residency program will involve local audience.

The two-week stay of international artists is divided into two parts.

In the first week, visits will be organized in the region, such as meeting the chief and elders of Kamina, going to the ministry of art, culture & tourism and arts center, during which the local authorities will present the ongoing cultural development of the region. The week will also be devoted to the implementation and realization of artist own projects, which will finally be shown at the exhibition in the second week

The second week, during which the residency program will be realized, where the participants of the residency will have the opportunity to get to know the local culture, creativity, while sharing their own experiences with other artists. Local artists invited to participate in the program will be encouraged to have direct contact with the audience, our international artists by sharing their own experiences or short workshops. The program will be climax with exhibition and durbar at the last days.

The Artist Residency Program includes attractions such as:

• 1^st KARP mail art exhibition
• Implementation of artist own projects or work
• Conferences and workshop for local artists and children
• Performances by performing artists.
• Playwrights and storytellers.
• Engagement with local food chef, fabrics, fashion designers, blacksmiths, weavers and other craftsmen.

Additionally, the program offers professional development activities including mentoring sessions, presentations, and peer-to-peer feedback sessions, organized site visits to local art spaces and other institutions, and opportunities to meet and connect with local artists and arts professionals.

LOCATION

Kamina, a village where the nearest large settlement was Atakpamé (the fifth largest city in Togo by population, located on a hilly wooded savannah on the eastern end of the Atakora Mountain range in the Plateaux Region of Togo. It is an industrial center and lies on the main north-south highway, 161 km north of the capital Lomé. It is also a regional commercial center for produce and cloth) in Togo (West Africa), was mainly known for its Funkstation: a shortwave radio transmitter developed during the German occupation of 1911-14. Built by Telefunken, the wireless radio station was designed as a hub and switching point for other German colonial radio stations. Just after the start of World War I, Togoland was invaded by British and French forces from the neighboring Gold Coast (Ghana) and French Dahomey (Benin) colonies. The station was destroyed by its operators to prevent it from falling under British and French control. The Kamina ruins then became a forgotten place removed from the world’s attention.

The city of Kamina and its surroundings in the Atakpamé district have unique cultures, artifacts, music, food and lifestyle.

WHAT IS PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM

• Accommodation – a room per participants
• Meals (Two – morning and evening)
• Work Space
• Round trip from Lome’ to Atakpame’
• Social Media promotion
• Invitation letter (That can be used to seek for sponsorship or grant)
• Certificate of participation
• Metal wedding shop
• Local clay for those who will need clay but we don’t have an oven – clay works should be environmentally friendly.
• Wood for carvers or sculptures
• Materials like canvas and basic colours
• Screen for video projections

WHAT IS NOT PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM

• Flight Tickets
• Visa Expenses yet we send all supporting documents to get Visa

• Tools and specific materials used by the artist
• Daily Expenses –  launch
• Health Insurance

NOTE: Don’t apply if you are not sure of your participation – the organizers do not accept any participation cancellation of Selected artist

There will also be a tourism trip for the international participants where those who are interested will be made to pay 80$ for transportations and other expenses.