Call for applications: Otjomuise Live Arts Festival in Namibia

The festival is co-produced by Goethe-Institut Namibia and NTN and aims 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 call is designed for performing, visual, digital and conceptual artists. Individuals and ensembles are encouraged to apply. Due to resource allocations, ensembles should not exceed four members. A standard material, rehearsal and transport fee of N$1 000 (about $70) will be provided to each contracted artist who will be remunerated with an additional fee.

Interested applicants can apply online here before 21 September.

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.

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 to impact its inhabitants.

“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,” a joint statement reads. “Thus, OLAF offers opportunities for immersive, experimental, and refreshing artistic forms that can be showcased or installed in public spaces where life and the arts can meet.

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

View the original call here.