Thami Mnyele Foundation Award
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Established in 1990, the Thami Mnyele Foundation has been proudly hosting a distinctive three-month artist-in-residence program in Amsterdam since 1992. With a mission to promote meaningful cultural exchange, the foundation connects artists from Africa, the African diaspora, the Netherlands, and Amsterdam, offering a dynamic space for artistic growth and cross-cultural dialogue and fostering a vibrant network of creativity and collaboration.
Open to African artists working across a variety of contemporary visual art forms—including painting, drawing, performance, photography, sculpture, video, film, audio, and multimedia—the residency provides an inspiring and supportive environment and a dedicated space to focus on their practice. Housed in a charming historic school building in the heart of Amsterdam, the Thami Mnyele Foundation studio is thoughtfully designed to encourage artistic reflection, research, cultural dialogue, and dynamic engagement with fellow creatives that enrich artistic practice and foster meaningful connections.
About Us
Named in honor of South African artist and freedom fighter Thami Mnyele, who lost his life due to his activism with the MEDU Art Ensemble, the Thami Mnyele Foundation draws inspiration from his powerful visit to Amsterdam. Originally established to support artists exclusively from South Africa, the foundation soon broadened its vision to include creatives from across the African continent and its diaspora.
The program welcomes artists with formal art school training and a few years of professional experience, though these criteria are flexible to encourage broader participation. Since its inception, the residency has hosted a rich and diverse group of talented individuals from countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, Benin, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Mauritius, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Sudan, Algeria, Libya, St. Maarten, the United Kingdom, the United States, Morocco, Cameroon, Suriname, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Tanzania. This global tapestry of artists reflects the foundation's enduring commitment to fostering cultural exchange and artistic collaboration.