Call for applications: 2022 Otjomuise Live Arts Festival in Namibia

The name Otjomuise stems from the Otjiherero name for the city of Windhoek, which means ‘place of steam’. The name of the festival reflects not only the city’s unique environmental character but also its rich heritage and searing creativity.

Co-pro­duced by Goethe-Institut Namibia and NTN, OLAF is largely brought about by the inaccessibility of the majority of Windhoek’s inhabitants to various artistic expressions – often limited to indoor, and at times, inaccessible areas of the city. It seeks to bridge life with the arts in the city by offering opportunities for live artistic forms to be showcased within Windhoek’s public spaces.

The open call is designed for artists in any of the following art disciplines:

• Music/sound
• Performance art/body art
• Drama/theatrical performance
• Dance/movement
• Poster campaign
• Installation (visual arts)
• Conceptual community engagement
• Public screening

Interested artists can apply here before 30 May.

Requirements

• The themes of proposed works can cover a wide range and are not limited.
• Artistic works are encouraged to be short, small-scaled, logistically achievable and family-friendly.
• Ideas and works that are often excluded from institutional, traditional contexts are highly encouraged.
• Though a selection of sites is already offered for the festival, artists are welcome to suggest preferred public sites.
• Additionally, all proposed works should adhere to the health and safety protocols outlined by local authorities’ regulations.

Suggested forms are:

• Site-specific performances.
• Visual artworks: site-specific murals, displays and installations.
• Poster campaigns.
• Creative community engagements/interventions.
• Any other creative work.

Interested artists can email [email protected] or call +264 61 374 400 for more information.

Video courtesy of The Namibian