Artist Residency Overview

Artist Residency Program

Hukwe Zawose Foundation
Bagamoyo, Tanzania

The Hukwe Zawose Foundation offers a residency program for artists, researchers, and cultural practitioners seeking time, space, and immersion within a living African cultural environment.

The residency takes place in the Zawose family village in Bagamoyo, within the same homestead where Dr. Hukwe Zawose lived and passed on, and where the Zawose family continues to live today. The foundation’s studio, instruments, and cultural facilities are located within this village, which remains an active communal living environment.

Residents engage with the Zawose musical family through daily proximity to the studio and shared cultural spaces, while accommodation is arranged to balance immersion with personal comfort and rest.

The residency is designed for individuals working in music, dance, performance, sound research, cultural studies, and related artistic practices, particularly those interested in traditional and contemporary African arts.

What We Offer

Residency Activities & Opportunities

The residency provides immersive opportunities for cultural exchange, research, and creative development. Residents are encouraged to select a focused area of study, ensuring depth of engagement over the two-week period.

• A creative workspace in a supportive, resource-equipped environment.
• Access to traditional African instruments, including ilimba, zeze, marimba, ngoma drums, ndono (end-blown flute), njuga (ankle bells), and other locally used percussion instruments, with instruction and guided practice.
• Traditional instrument making, offering observation and hands-on participation where feasible, guided by local artisans.
• Possibility of collaborative sessions with members of the Zawose musical family and other local artists.
• Cultural immersion and mentorship, including African musicality, rhythms, songs, and oral traditions.
• Guided village visits and community engagement, including project showcases and presentations within Zawose Village.
• Support and networking, facilitated by the foundation’s cultural team, including access to local musicians, artisans, and educational resources.
• Research and documentation, providing space and guidance for creative projects, recordings, and cultural learning.

The program is designed to foster cross-cultural dialogue, artistic innovation, and the preservation of East African musical traditions, ensuring that each residency contributes meaningfully to both the participant and the local community.

Residency Duration & Fee

• USD 750 per two weeks
• Longer stays may be arranged upon request

Accommodation

The residency fee includes accommodation in one of the following settings:

Primary Accommodation (Default)

• Located in a quiet residential area near the village
• Private bedroom with private bathroom and toilet
• Comfortable living conditions
• Access to a basic shared kitchen for self-prepared meals

Village Immersion Accommodation (Optional)

• Located within the Zawose family village, for residents who explicitly request full immersion
• Private room within the communal homestead
• Shared toilet and bathroom facilities with the larger family
• Closer integration into daily village life and rhythms
• Shared kitchen access is not available this communal homestead accommodation setting

Placement in village accommodation is based on availability and mutual agreement.

Food & Cooking

• Food is not included in the residency fee
• Residents may eat at local restaurants and food vendors, with meals typically costing around USD 3
• Shared kitchen access is provided in the Primary Accommodation
• The foundation can arrange a local cook at an additional cost

Studio & Instrument Access

Residents have access to:

• Basic studio facilities suitable for practice, rehearsal, and simple recordings
• A selection of traditional instruments, including marimba, ilimba, zeze, and other locally used instruments
• Shared use of instruments, subject to availability and respectful handling

The facilities support research, experimentation, and cultural exchange rather than commercial production.

Optional Activities & Engagement

Residents may choose to engage in the following, depending on availability and mutual interest:

• Informal music sessions and exchanges with the Zawose family and the community
• Learning or experimenting with traditional instruments
• Observing rehearsals and everyday musical practices
• Cultural walks and visits within Bagamoyo
• Individual time for research, writing, composing, or reflection

Residency Focus

The residency emphasizes:

• Independent artistic or research practice
• Ethical cultural exchange grounded in respect
• Learning through presence, listening, and long-term engagement
• Engagement with living traditions in their social context

This residency is best suited for individuals who value:

• Cultural continuity and ethical exchange
• Process-oriented artistic or research practice
• Flexibility, patience, and openness
• Learning through everyday interaction rather than formal instruction

How to Apply

To apply for the residency, email zawosefoundation@gmail.com with the following:

• Short bio
• Project idea / intention
• Preferred dates (flexible)
• Accommodation preference
• Special requirements (studio use, fieldwork, research, specific instruments,
  documentation, etc.
  

Residents are selected on a rolling basis based on alignment with the foundation’s values, clarity of intent, and a respectful approach to cultural exchange. Application details and available dates are provided upon inquiry.