The EU-funded project Euro-Egyptian Cultural Program (EECP) is launching a call for artists to join an art residency program in Egypt working with Egyptian independent cultural actors.

The purpose of the residency is to offer the artists the opportunity to spend time in a new atmosphere and environment, support cultural and artistic exchange, nurture experimentation and new ideas, and support research and the development of new work. An additional aim is to implement artistic activities or programmes that lead to Egyptian audiences, new production/creation, new markets and new visibility.

Eligibility criteria:

• Artists from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
• At least 2- years of experience in the field Music.
• This call for projects is for the development of initial concepts and “works in progress”; applications with completed/previously-showcased pieces will not be accepted.
• In order to communicate among fellow artists sufficient knowledge of English is required .
• Have a sample of their work to showcase or send a brief about.
• Ability and willingness to travel internally, meet with new audiences and cultures and explore ideas and experiments.
• Ability to work within a timeline.
• Can travel to Egypt within the timeline of the residency. Full commitment to the announced timeline.
• By the end of the residency period, the artists will be required to participate in public artist talks, media interviews, panels or related activities

For this edition, we are supporting artists working in the Music sector. EUNIC encourages freedom of expression, gender and youth empowerment and cultural expression.

• EUNIC and the local partner will offer the opportunity of an art residency program up to three artists for a four-week stay including airfares, accommodation, per diem and transportation.
• EUNIC team and local partner will offer support to understand and learn about the Egyptian cultural scene, and identify partners and audiences.
• EUNIC team and local partner will support artists with their planning and implementation phases on the organization, logistical matters, and work.
• The EUNIC Residency Programme is designed to support contemporary emerging artists from different disciplines in exploration and experimenting in their artistic practice.
• The opportunity to develop their ideas and interact with renowned artists to share experiences

The Residency takes place in May 2025

Goals, Discovery and Planning. Artists will get to connect with the Egyptian cultural scene, artists, eco system, get involved in brainstorming, ideas initiations and planning for an outcome implementation.

• Learning about the Egyptian cultural scene and possible partners.
• Identifying opportunities for cooperation.
• Planning and drafting a programme for production/showcasing and implementation with Egyptian partners.
• Lead live sessions or panels.

• EUNIC team receives the applications.
• Shortlisted artists will be contacted for an online interview.
• EUNIC Egypt representatives, and announced jury members will choose the final participants.
• EUNIC is unable to give individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Artists will be staying in Cairo, Egypt. Accommodation is provided by local partner within their spaces.
Any travel within Egypt will be planned with Artists.

The EU-funded project “Euro-Egyptian Cultural Program” in Egypt is a partnership between the EU Delegation to Egypt (EUD) and the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) Cluster in Egypt. The project aims to strengthen European-Egyptian cultural engagement as a driving force for Egypt’s sustainable social and economic development.

The project objective is in line with the shared interest of the EU Delegation in Cairo (EUD) and the EUNIC Cluster Egypt to facilitate and enable synergies for enhanced European- Egyptian cultural engagement in Egypt as outlined in their 2017 Administrative Arrangement, as well as with the overall EU strategic approach to culture in external relations.

EUNIC Egypt currently consists of 13 full members and 4 associate members. The selection of EUNIC for the project implementation is driven by recognition of its members’ technical expertise in this sector and their knowledge of the country and its major actors. With the agreement of EUNIC Cluster Egypt, the management of this project has been delegated to the Italian Cultural Institute to implement the Euro-Egyptian Cultural Program in Egypt.

Applications will be open on 8th of January, 2025!

Deadline is 8th of February, 2025

For assistance and information you can send an email to residency@eunicegypt.org