Artist Residencies in Lusaka

Why Lusaka is on more residency shortlists

Lusaka has quietly become one of the more interesting residency cities in East/Central/Southern Africa. You get a fast-growing contemporary art scene, artist-run spaces instead of big institutions dominating everything, and operating costs that are still relatively manageable if you plan smartly.

Residencies here tend to be cross-disciplinary, community-facing, and rooted in contemporary African perspectives. If your work thrives on real conversations, public moments, and research in context, Lusaka is worth serious attention.

What makes Lusaka appealing for artists

• Active contemporary art ecosystem: Several artist-centered spaces combine exhibitions, residencies, talks, performances, and workshops in one place.
• Cross-disciplinary culture: Visual artists share space with writers, musicians, DJs, performers, designers, curators, and researchers.
• Public engagement baked in: Open studios, talks, workshops, and community presentations are common expectations, not extras.
• Regional and international exchange: Lusaka brings together Zambian artists, regional visitors, and international residents in a relatively compact scene.

If you’re tired of oversaturated art capitals, want to build relationships with artists and cultural workers on the ground, or need a context for socially engaged or research-driven work, Lusaka aligns well.

Key residencies and how they actually feel

The programs below are not ranked; they serve different types of artists. Think less “which is better” and more “which one fits the way you work.”

Modzi Arts Artist-in-Residence (Ibex Hill)

What it is: Modzi Arts is a well-known, artist-run institution based in Ibex Hill. Founded in 2016, it combines a residency program with exhibitions, a Zamrock museum, music and performance spaces, workshops, and public programming that connects closely with Lusaka’s communities and contemporary African art discourses.

Facilities and set-up

• Restored 1970s building with two galleries and a Zamrock museum
• Performance and DJ studios
• Kitchen and organic art farm
• Shared living spaces and individual studios (up to four artists hosted at once)
• Library of tools and books, plus a growing archive of Zambian cultural material

What the residency offers

• Studio space and shared accommodation (depending on the specific residency format)
• Access to all Modzi facilities: galleries, museum, studios, library, tools
• Regular public moments: exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, performances, open studios
• Mentorship and networking within Lusaka and across African art networks
• Support for connecting with funding partners in Africa and Europe in some program streams

Who it suits

• Visual artists working with painting, installation, photography, mixed media, or experimental practices
• Musicians, DJs, sound artists, and performers
• Curators, researchers, and interdisciplinary artists interested in contemporary African histories and cultural infrastructures
• Artists who want a residency that feels like an active hub rather than a quiet retreat

Funding and fees

Modzi typically welcomes both local and international artists and often runs as a self-funded residency. Fee structures have varied by membership status, artist origin, and whether accommodation is included. Recent public calls have listed different rates for Zambian, African, and international residents, with separate fees for studio use and shared accommodation.

For the latest details, check directly with Modzi:

• Modzi Arts official site
• Modzi Arts on Reviewed by Artists

If you are self-funding, factor in studio and accommodation fees plus your travel, visa, materials, and daily living costs. Modzi’s team can sometimes help you connect with potential funders if you reach out early with a clear project proposal.

Why artists choose Modzi

• You want to work in a socially embedded, community-facing setting.
• You’re excited by the overlap of visual art, music, and performance cultures.
• You want to engage with Zambian art history, including Zamrock and related cultural movements.
• You prefer a residency that is busy, collaborative, and full of public interaction.

Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre (LuCAC) Residencies

What it is: LuCAC is an artist-run, not-for-profit art centre in New Chamba Valley, established in 2023. It hosts a gallery, library, and residency program dedicated to contemporary Zambian art and its wider dialogues. Several international residency schemes are based here through partnerships.

General profile

• Focus on visual art, research, and curatorial practices
• Gallery and project room for exhibitions and presentations
• Library and reading resources
• Studio and living spaces for residents
• Positioned as a platform for exchange between Zambian artists and international practitioners

OCA–LuCAC Residency (Norway-linked)

One of the key programs at LuCAC is run with the Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA). This is a structured, funded residency aimed at artists connected to Norway.

Core features

• Two-month residency hosted at LuCAC
• Living space and studio provided
• Studio visits from local artists and art professionals
• Online presentation of your work on LuCAC’s site
• Possibility of a solo or group presentation in LuCAC’s project room
• Assistance in understanding Lusaka’s art scene and cultural context
• Field trip in Zambia as part of contextual research
• Travel and living grants (amounts have been set in NOK in recent calls)

Eligibility and fit

• Open to Norwegian artists and artists residing in Norway, with applications usually for individual artists
• Good match if you are a visual artist seeking a structured, short-term residency with solid financial support
• Ideal if you prefer clear program frameworks, planned studio visits, and an organized final presentation

Details can change over time, so use the OCA website and LuCAC page as your primary sources:

• OCA Lusaka residency information
• LuCAC residency page

Southnord Residency at LuCAC (Afro-Nordic focus)

Another program hosted at LuCAC is the Southnord Residency, geared specifically towards Afro-Nordic artists and curators.

Core features

• Two-month residency in Lusaka for visual artists and curators of African descent based in the Nordic region
• Airfare and accommodation covered by the program
• Studio space at LuCAC
• Monthly living stipend
• Public presentation of work during the residency

Who it suits

• Afro-Nordic artists and curators interested in building relationships with peers and contexts on the African continent
• Practices that critically reflect on diaspora, identity, or transnational exchanges
• Artists who work well with a defined time frame and clear support structure

You can track current calls and details through regional mobility resources such as On the Move:

• Southnord residency listing

Imvelo Artist Residency Program (Imvelo Studios)

What it is: Imvelo Studios is an artist-driven initiative in Lusaka that functions as a project space, exhibition and research center, cultural archive, and residency program. It aims to support the growth of Zambia’s contemporary art scene while connecting to broader global discourses.

Residency profile

• Residency length of around three months
• Focus on producing a body of work or deepening your practice
• Concludes with a solo exhibition or context-specific presentation
• Often includes artist talks and other public engagement formats
• Selection based on portfolio and quality of practice, not just project buzzwords

Who it suits

• Artists looking for a more focused, studio-driven residency with a clear research-to-exhibition arc
• Practices that benefit from time to build one substantial project rather than short, fragmented experiments
• Artists keen to contribute to conversations around Zambian and global contemporary art from a grounded, local base

Imvelo has hosted established Zambian artists, which gives incoming residents a chance to interact with strong local practices. For the latest residency details, see:

• Imvelo Studios residency program

How to live and work in Lusaka as a resident artist

Once you secure a spot, your experience will be shaped less by the brochure and more by logistics: where you stay, how you move, and how you plug into the scene.

Cost of living and budgeting

Lusaka is not ultra-cheap across the board, but with a modest grant or thoughtful budgeting, artists can usually manage well. Costs vary by neighborhood and how much of your housing and studio is included in the residency.

Major expense categories

• Accommodation: If your residency includes housing (as many LuCAC-linked programs do), that’s a major advantage. Paid residencies like Modzi’s self-funded options may ask you to cover shared housing or find your own place nearby.
• Food: Local markets and street food are relatively affordable. Supermarkets and imported goods push your budget up. Cooking at home usually saves money and gives you more flexibility.
• Transport: Short distances quickly add up if you rely heavily on taxis or ride-hailing. Minibuses are cheaper but require local knowledge and patience.
• Studio and materials: Residency programs typically include studio use in their package. Materials can be trickier, especially if you work with specialized media or large-scale production – factor import or substitution into your project design.
• Internet and mobile data: Data is widely available, but speed and stability vary. Budget for a local SIM and data bundles; ask your residency about Wi‑Fi reliability.

Budget tips for self-funded stays

• Confirm exactly what your residency covers: housing, studio, utilities, internet, local transport, field trips.
• Ask for a realistic monthly cost-of-living estimate from the residency staff or past residents.
• Design your project around materials you can source locally or bring in a suitcase (within airline limits).
• Build a cushion for unexpected transport and production costs, especially if your project depends on site visits.

Neighborhoods and where you’ll actually be

Lusaka is spread out, so “best” area usually means “closest to your residency.” Cutting down commute time saves money and energy.

Ibex Hill

• Home to Modzi Arts
• Residential atmosphere with creative pockets around the Modzi compound
• Convenient if you want to live, work, and show in one cluster

New Chamba Valley

• Home to Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre (LuCAC)
• More residential and somewhat removed from central city noise
• Good for immersive studio time with occasional trips into other parts of town for openings and meetings

Central and connected areas

• Artists not housed on site often choose areas that balance safety, transport access, and proximity to supermarkets, markets, and cafés.
• Ask your host institution which neighborhoods past residents have used successfully; they usually know what works in practice, not just on maps.

Getting around Lusaka

Transport shapes how much of the art scene you actually see. Distances can look short on a map but take longer than expected.

Main options

• Taxis and ride-hailing apps: Comfortable and straightforward but can be a major line item in your budget if used daily.
• Minibuses: Inexpensive and widely used locally, but routes are not always clearly mapped for newcomers. Easiest to learn with a local friend or residency staff guidance.
• Private car: Some residents rent cars if their projects require frequent site visits or transporting work. Factor in rental, fuel, and parking.

Residency-specific transport questions

• Does the residency cover airport pickup?
• Are field trips or site visits included and organized by the host (as with the LuCAC–OCA field trip model)?
• Will you need to commute daily between separate housing and studio locations?
• Is it safe and realistic to move between key sites at night using available transport?

Visas and paperwork

Visa rules depend on your passport and length of stay, so always check with official Zambian immigration sources or your nearest consulate before committing to dates.

Typical steps

• Confirm if you can enter with a visa on arrival or need to apply for an e‑visa or embassy visa in advance.
• Ask the residency for an official invitation letter including dates, address, and contact person.
• Check whether your stay falls under tourist, cultural, or another visa category, especially if there is a public exhibition or stipend involved.
• Keep copies of your residency acceptance, travel insurance, and proof of funds when travelling.

Residency teams in Lusaka are usually used to supporting visitors with basic documentation, but they are not immigration lawyers; always verify policies with official sources.

Connecting with Lusaka’s art community

A residency in Lusaka is strongest when you treat it as a chance for exchange, not just solo production. Institutions here often expect and support that.

Key spaces and how to use them

• Modzi Arts – Residency, galleries, Zamrock museum, performance and DJ studios, library, community projects. Great for collaborative events, performances, listening sessions, and workshops that intersect art and music. Site: modziarts.com
• Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre (LuCAC) – Gallery, library, residency, project room for exhibitions and talks. Good for more focused visual art and research presentations. Site: lusakacontemporary.com
• Imvelo Studios – Project space, research center, cultural archive, and residency. Fits well with artists who want to build a body of work and show it in a considered exhibition context. Site: imvelogallery.com

Most residencies structure public events directly: open studios, talks, small exhibitions, or performances. Use those moments to meet peers, invite feedback, and learn what is already happening locally, rather than trying to reinvent the scene.

Engagement strategies that work well here

• Plan at least one open studio with enough time for extended conversations, not just a quick show-and-tell.
• Offer a workshop or small shared practice session that connects your methods with local interests and skills.
• Attend other artists’ openings and talks; this is where relationships form.
• Share documentation and reflections with your host institution so they can archive and circulate the work beyond your stay.

When to be in Lusaka

Climate and comfort play into how easy it is to work, travel, and do site-specific projects.

• Dry season (roughly May–October): Cooler and generally more comfortable for studio work, outdoor installations, and field research.
• Rainy season (roughly November–April): Lush landscapes but more logistical uncertainty; transport and outdoor activities can be affected by rain.

Residency calendars vary; some programs align with the dry season, while others run year-round. When you plan a project, think about how weather might affect outdoor work, travel to other regions, and material handling.

Choosing the right Lusaka residency for your practice

All the programs share a commitment to contemporary practice and local engagement, but the feel and structure differ.

Modzi Arts suits you if:

• You want a lively, multidisciplinary environment mixing art, music, and performance.
• You’re comfortable with a self-funded model and can secure external support.
• You value community events as much as studio time.

LuCAC–OCA residency suits you if:

• You are a Norwegian artist or reside in Norway.
• You want a funded, two‑month residency with structured studio visits and a clear program.
• You prefer a framework that supports focused visual art practice and contextual research.

Southnord at LuCAC suits you if:

• You are an Afro-Nordic artist or curator.
• You are working through ideas of diaspora, identity, or Afro-Nordic connections and want to situate that in Zambia.
• You need travel, accommodation, and stipend support to make the residency viable.

Imvelo Studios residency suits you if:

• You want a three‑month arc leading to a substantial exhibition or project presentation.
• Your work is research-oriented, and you need time to test, reflect, and then show.
• You like working with an artist-driven team that sees the residency as part of a broader cultural archive and discourse.

Whichever residency you choose, Lusaka rewards projects that are curious about the local context, open to collaboration, and ready to share work publicly. If you frame your proposal around how your practice converses with Zambian art, histories, or everyday realities, you will be speaking the same language as most of the city’s strongest residency programs.