About Us
Thami Mnyele Foundation Award
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, fostering a vibrant network of creativity and collaboration.
The program offers African artists working across a variety of contemporary visual art forms—including painting, drawing, performance, photography, sculpture, video, film, audio, and multimedia—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 provides an inspiring environment for artistic reflection, research, cultural dialogue, and dynamic engagement with fellow creatives.
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 was inspired by his profound visit to Amsterdam. Originally focused exclusively on artists from South Africa, the foundation soon broadened its scope to embrace creatives from across Africa and the African diaspora, reflecting its commitment to diversity and global artistic dialogue.
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Participants in the residency are typically trained at art schools and possess several years of professional experience, though these qualifications are not strict requirements. Over the years, the program has welcomed a rich and diverse array of artists from countries including 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.
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Residency participants receive comprehensive support, including a stipend for living expenses, a materials budget, and travel cost coverage to and from the Netherlands. They are also provided with free housing, studio space, a bicycle, a museum card, and internet access. Beyond these resources, the foundation actively fosters cultural exchange by organizing connections with members of the Dutch art community, enriching both the artists' experiences and the local art scene.
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Selection for the program is conducted by an independent committee of experts appointed by the foundation’s board, ensuring a fair and thoughtful evaluation of applicants.
As a non-profit organization, the Thami Mnyele Foundation is proudly supported by multi-year funding from the Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst (AFK), enabling it to sustain its vital mission of nurturing artistic collaboration and cultural dialogue on a global scale.