What happens when art educators from Finland and West Africa spend 40 days learning, creating, questioning and dreaming together? How can art become more generous, more communal and more connected to the world around us?
Villa Karo is launching a residency bringing together 8 arts education professionals from Finland and West Africa in the inspirational setting of Grand-Popo, in Benin. The residency will explore community arts education through a programme combining professional peer learning, cultural exchange and hands-on experimentation with community-based artistic methods. This residency is not about teaching others - it is about learning with others.
Together, the participants will:
🌿 Learn from local schools, artists and communities
🎶 Explore music, rhythm, storytelling, visual arts and movement
🤝 Investigate the theme of social generosity through artistic practice
💬 Exchange pedagogical approaches from Finland and West Africa
✨ Develop ideas for projects that will be implemented in our home communities after the residency
🌍 4 arts education professionals based in Finland and 4 in West Africa will be selected for a residency period from the *24th of February until the 4th of April 2027* (dates not negotiable).
We're looking for curious, open-minded professionals with experience in arts education and a desire to bring what they learn back into their own communities. After the residency, each participant will carry out local arts education projects in their home country, inspired by the experience.
Application materials
📄 CV
📝 A short work plan outlining your professional goals for the residency, and what you can contribute to the 40-day residency as a community of co-practise. Explain how the residency would contribute to your work as art educator back home, after you return from Villa Karo.
🎭 Portfolio or examples of previous projects (if available)
Practical information
🌍 Working language: English
🏠 Included: free accommodation at Villa Karo, daily breakfast and airport transfers
✈️ Finland-based participants should budget a minimum of 2000 € for travel and other expenses for the full residency period
🗓️ Apply by the 20th of September 2026 through the "Community Arts Education" section in our application portal: https://apply.villakaro.org/apply/arts-educ
🙏 This programme is supported by the Niilo Helander Foundation.
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