Writing / Literature Residencies in South Africa

Africa Centre

Cape Town, South Africa

The Africa Centre's Artists In Residency (AIR) programme, established in , partners with artist residency programs globally to fund and support African artists across all artistic disciplines. The program covers all residency costs and round-trip airfare, allowing artists at various career stages to participate in short-term residencies that enable them to consolidate their work and develop new projects.

Driftwood Studios

East London, South Africa

Driftwood Studios is a self-funded, low-cost artist residency program established in by sculptor George Kockott and his wife Claire, located in a natural coastal dune forest near East London, South Africa. It offers private and shared studios, workshops for sculpture, pottery, woodworking, metalwork, and a gallery space suitable for performers, hosting up to 5 artists with their families or partners. The program provides self-catering accommodation, mentoring, community connections, and access to local resources in an inspiring Indian Ocean setting.

Oaklands Artist in Residence (OaklandsAiR)

Wellington, South Africa

Oaklands Artist in Residence is an artist-run program located in the mountains, 90km from Cape Town, aimed at providing a unique and focused environment for creative projects. Situated on a farm on the edge of the Limietberg World Heritage Site, OaklandsAiR offers residencies to fine artists, landscape architects, writers, and researchers across various fields. The residency provides a rustic yet well-equipped setting, with self-catering cottages and studios in a converted foaling barn. The program is open to international and South African artists, offering a serene rural environment conducive to creativity and exploration. Artists benefit from access to natural materials, scenic hiking trails, and a supportive network of local artists and galleries. OaklandsAiR facilitates various activities, including site-specific projects, outdoor excursions, and final open studio events. The residency also includes a farm-to-table restaurant, Vygie, which operates on the premises, enhancing the communal experience.

Oaklands Farm

Wellington, South Africa

Oaklands Artist in Residence (OaklandsAiR) is an artist-run program on a farm in the mountains 90km from Cape Town, South Africa, offering a focused, nature-immersive environment within the Limietberg World Heritage Site for fine artists, writers, researchers, and landscape architects. Residents live in self-catering cottages and work in private studios in a converted foaling barn, with access to natural materials, outdoor spaces, and Wellington's creative network including kilns and presses. The residency emphasizes rural tranquility, biodiversity, hiking trails, and proximity to Cape Town's arts scene.