FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: KHALIL AKAR (CO-FOUNDER OF AKOJE RESIDENCY), ZEINA ARIDA (DIRECTOR OF MATHAF: ARAB MUSEUM OF MODERN ART), MARO ITOJE (CO-FOUNDER OF AKOJE RESIDENCY)

[04 OCTOBER 2024] Qatar Museums (QM) and the UK-based charity Akoje Residency announced today the formation of a momentous new partnership designed to foster cross-cultural exchange between the Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) regions and to provide new opportunities for talented artists in both parts of the world.

The partnership will enable two SWANA-based artists per year to join the existing Akoje Residency x King's Foundation Artist in Residence Programme at Dumfries House in Scotland. Applicants are invited to submit materials now through November 15th (details below).

Led by Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the Arab world's leading modern and contemporary art museum, the collaboration is reflective of QM's vision to enrich lives through cultural exchange while supporting artists in the SWANA region in developing their practices, creating new works, and expanding their networks

Akoje Residency was formed in April 2024 by former Signature African Art Gallery director Khalil Akar and rugby player Maro Itoje, a passionate art collector. Akar, of Lebanese heritage, and Itoje, of Nigerian heritage, designed Akoje Residency to provide pathways for artists from different countries to grow their careers. The Dumfries House residency is the inaugural program of the organization, which plans for expansion and new branches in years to come. Soon, African and Caribbean artists will have the opportunity to live and work in Qatar, as a reciprocal residency programme is in development for 2025.

A global selection committee will consider applications across a range of criteria, taking into account artistic capabilities and potential. Successful applicants will be notified by November and will join the residency in Scotland in April 2025.

Zeina Arida, Director of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Qatar and a jury member, said 'Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art is proud to join the Akoje Residency in this remarkable partnership, which will provide talented emerging artists with the resources and opportunities they need to grow. At the heart of Mathaf's mission is the aim of bringing modern and contemporary artists from the Arab world to wider audiences, and this programme will go a long way in making our visions into realities.'

Maro Itoje, co-founder of Akoje Residency, also commented: 'We are delighted to announce this partnership between Qatar Museums and the Akoje Residency, and to forge cross-cultural creative pathways between artists from the Middle East and Africa, Carribean and diaspora. We look forward to welcoming SWANA artists to Dumfries House and to future opportunities for African artists in Qatar.'

Via workshops and access to materials and skilled craftspeople, artists will develop their crafts, create works and hone new skills. They will be invited to share their unique artistic perspectives with wider audiences through talks, open-studio events, and exhibitions, sharing and celebrating their cultural heritage through the visual arts. The programme will be held at Coachford Cottage, two self-contained artists' studios accompanying a cottage on the grounds of the Dumfries House estate.

The open call for SWANA artists to apply for the Akoje Residency x King's Foundation Artist in Residence Programme will close on November 15th, 2024.