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Many SPARCK projects involve artist residencies. These are not residencies in the typical sense of the word, however: invitations to artists to come spend a set amount of time in a centralised, dedicated space. Our residencies are more fluid and distinctly less predictable than most.

All SPARCK residencies revolve around a core set of themes set out in SPARCK´s NET/WORKS programme (download from our About SPARCK page). Around these themes, the SPARCK team develops projects and invites artists to propose projects of their own in cities across the world. Conversations follow between the artists and team, in person and electronically. Once all agree to collaborate, more extensive discussions begin around subject matter, media, approaches and goals, as well as practical aspects, from schedule to living arrangements and on-site documentation. The business of making it all work - thematically and logistically - is a joint effort. Artist agency and active engagement with the daily life of the residency city are essential. During, and in most cases after the project, the conversation continues.

It is not unusual for a truly engaged and rich residency to birth a follow-up project (further work, an installation, a tour, a publication). Sometimes this is with SPARCK, sometimes it involves other partners, met during or as a result of the residency. Whenever we can facilitate such organic extensions with other programmes or organisations, we do: SPARCK’s goal is to participate in networks. We do not seek to create networks from scratch; nor are we interested in operating from a centre-stage position. We seek rather to build bridges with like-minded endeavours and actors, to join and contribute to conversations in progress across the continent.

Clichéd visions of Africa speak of a continent stagnating. We disagree and strive to challenge such notions through our projects. The African world is alive with emergent, experimental and inspired grassroots networks. SPARCK’s purpose is to partner with the most engaged of these networks and with the individuals they bring together.