A multi-disciplinary cultural Foundation based on the island of Sylt in the North Sea and three hours by train from Hamburg, has been home to painters, musicians and writers for 130 years.
The flat landscape, bordered by water on all sides has an overarching endless sky. The wind and the special quality of light offered scientists research opportunities over several centuries. For creative people it provided the quiet space conducive to reflection and contemplation.
Today the small towns and villages on Sylt offer relaxation in the summer months for German holidaymakers who enjoy the water sports, bathing in the choppy North Sea, cycling and hiking along the many dedicated paths which crisscross the landscape. A variety of small restaurants, B&B’s and holiday homes built in a unique Sylt style, give the island its distinctive atmosphere.
The Sylt Foundation initiates and supports innovative contemporary literary, visual art and performance projects with the aim to encourage cultural dialogue and artistic interaction. It offers these international multi-disciplinary artists, writers and performers the opportunity to live and work in a quiet, contemplative environment; one which stimulates creative conversations and the exchange of ideas. It provides a valuable cultural experience.
The Foundation Kunst: Raum Sylt Quelle (aka the Sylt Foundation) based in Rantum, under the directorship of literary scholar and curator Indra Wussow, invites selected writers, artists and composers from Africa and Europe to take up two month residencies. There is an emphasis on writers from Africa. Each year creative people participate in the residency programme and share in conversations. This opportunity provides the creative free time for writers, artists and performers to pursue their projects, initiate new opportunities and experience stimulating cultural interaction.
Wussow states, “The Kunst:Raum Sylt Quelle is for writers interested in multiple areas of interaction and co-operation. The Kunst:Raum Sylt Quelle Foundation is intended as a place of beginnings: of ideas, of creative projects initiated throughout the year”.
Every year international writers, artists and performers take up two month residencies at the Kunst:Raum Sylt Quelle, where they are provided with excellent studio accommodation, a stipend, administrative and logistical support. Their residencies provide the creative free time for these writers, artists and performers which allows them to conceptualize and develop their projects, initiate new opportunities and experience stimulating cultural interaction and dialogue through sharing their artistic experiences with other creatives in residence.
ABOUT THE SYLT FOUNDATION AFRICAN WRITER’S RESIDENCY
This African Writer’s Residency is aimed to offer a residency to writers of contemporary African literature, who are related to or engaging with contemporary themes and concerns of Africa and the African Diaspora. The award is open to published writers of poetry, prose, plays and novels.
Following on the success of many years of engagement with contemporary African and South African literature and writers, the Foundation has sought to leverage its residency programme by inviting applications from African writers who through a juried selection process will be awarded this invaluable opportunity. Previously residents were invited onto this programme. In 2012, however, the residency process was formalized and published African writers are now invited to submit applications (as per the criteria) for selection onto the African Writers Residency Programme. The winning applicant will be selected by an experienced and credible selection panel of literary professionals. One residency is awarded each year to one winning applicant who will take up this exciting opportunity to enjoy creative writing time on the island at the Foundation Kunst: Raum Sylt Quelle.
Previously luminaries such as Imraan Coovadia Antjie Krog, Andre Brink, Niq Mhlongo, Ivan Vladislavic, Gabeba Baderoon, Kgafela oa Magogodi and Lebogang Mashile to name a few, spent time in residence at the Sylt Foundation.
This recently re-launched African Writer’s Residency offers a two month international working stay at the Foundation.
This period will provide the writer with:
- an opportunity to focus on or complete a project in progress
- a quiet space suitable for contemplation and research
- an uninterrupted period for writing
- a means to leverage their artistic profile
- an opportunity to engage with other international writers and artists
While writers are managing career and personal demands, the vital process of conceptualizing and reflection, researching and developing new ideas, so essential to the writing process is often limited. A period of quiet uninterrupted time to focus on exploring ideas is critical to this process which is a challenge when balancing the pressures of everyday life.
WHAT THE AFRICAN WRITER’S RESIDENCY IS NOT: A tourist visit or a holiday; nor is it an opportunity to travel with family or friends.
WHAT AN INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCY OFFERS:
A residency can broaden a writer’s world view, enrich their writings, expand their networks and provide them with cultural dialogue opportunities with their peers. It may also open up future career opportunities. It leverages the writer’s profile and career status. Residencies provide invaluable international exposure which can facilitate proposed future collaborations with fellow professionals; but more importantly it provides invaluable contemplative creative time.
WHAT ARE THE AFRICAN WRITER’S RESIDENCY AIMS AND WHAT FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED?
The aim of this residency is to allow a writer to focus on working on an existing literary piece to be published or initiate or complete the literary project they proposed in their application. It offers the quiet reflective time and environment which allows for the writing to take place.
The Facilities: The Sylt Foundation provides a two (2) month stay in a modern, heated, fully furnished, one bedroom, studio apartment situated on the Foundation grounds. Each apartment has a well equipped kitchen providing for self-catering. The apartment is equipped with a TV, a desk and PC with internet. There is free WIFI for writers who bring their own laptops.
In addition the Sylt Foundation provides:
- A single return economy class flight ticket to Hamburg. This ticket will be booked by the Foundation’s liaison person and sent to the winner prior to their visa application process. In addition an allowance of €80 will be provided to cover the transport costs from Hamburg airport, to Altona station from where the train departs to the island of Sylt. (Note: the winner is responsible for all arrangements and costs of his/her transport to their nearest international airport).
- A letter of invitation from the Sylt Foundation addressed to the local German Consulate to facilitate the Winner’s Schengen visa application. Note: The Winner is required to be in possession of a valid passport and is solely responsible for the timeous application of their visa. All visa requirements of the German Consulate Visa Office including medical travel insurance must be complied with (details on their website)
- A once off stipend of € 1.000 to be paid on arrival at the Sylt Foundation at the start of the two month period. This stipend is adequate to cover modest living expenses eg. groceries, bus fares etc. It is recommended that the selected Resident provides him/herself with extra monies to cover additional personal expenses eg. for entertainment or additional travel elsewhere in Germany while in residence. No additional monies will be provided by the Foundation.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE SYLT FOUNDATION AFRICAN WRITER’S RESIDENCY?
- Writers of contemporary African literature
- Publishers submitting applications on behalf of their writers (with their permission)
- Writers of a full-length published novel
- Writers with a published collection of short stories
- Poets with a published volume of poetry
- Playwrights with a theatre piece that has been staged
- To be considered work submitted for the award must be written or translated into English or French
Writers of African literature are invited to submit:
- a project proposal of the project the writer wishes to work on while in residence
- it can be a current or proposed literary project
- a synopsis of the novel, short story or poetry project
- Copy of a valid passport conforming to Schengen visa requirements
- Full Curriculum Vitae
- Writer’s Profile in English - 500 words
- Two (2) Letters of Reference in English from literary professionals, publishers or academics
- one published book
- a volume of poetry
- a (publicly staged) play with information as to where and date it was staged
(The copyright of all published material will be respected by the Foundation so digital copies of published books may be submitted and will be handled with due care.)
THE SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Selection will be by two separate panels. The panels will comprise of the Foundation’s director - Indra Wussow – a literary.scientist - and will include other literary experts. Every year new selection panels will be constituted. The panel will be convened by the Foundation and will be identified by their expertise.
The names of the panellists and their profiles will be made public via the Sylt Foundation’s website (www.kunstraum-syltquelle.de) and on Art Source South Africa’s Facebook page.
The initial Selection Panel will evaluate all the applications received and will shortlist five (5) finalists. The second Judging Panel will review the 5 finalist’s applications and projects.
One Finalist writer will be selected as the Winner and recipient of the Sylt Foundation African Writer’s Residency Award each year.
Art Source South Africa are appointed by the Sylt Foundation as Organisers of the Award and manage this residency programme. The Organisers do not vote and have no influence on the selection and judging process.
Note: The judges’ decision will be final. No discussion or correspondence with Art Source South Africa (the Organisers), or the judges regarding their decision will be entered into with any Applicant after the judging process has been finalized and a winner selected.
KEY DATES FOR THE 2012 AFRICAN WRITER’S RESIDENCY:
- A Call for Applications will go out in November 2012
- Deadline for application submission is by 4pm Friday 15 February 2013
- Announcement and notification of 5 shortlisted finalists 1 April 2013
- Announcement of Residency Award Winner 1 June 2013
- Residency to be taken up from June 2013 - 2014
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For queries: Phile Khumalo at phile@artsourcesouthafrica.co.za or call + 27 (0)11 447 2855 (Monday - Friday, 9-4pm)
For submissions: Organisers, Art Source South Africa, at info@artsourcesouthafrica.co.za
Website: http://www.kunstraum-syltquelle.de/en/
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