WeeklySA_AdminOPPORTUNITY: The 2Roads Art Foundation is offering four emerging African artists a fully funded programme combining creative development, mentorship, business training and a pathway to national exposure through a major exhibition and art auction…
By WSAM Reporter
Applications for the flagship initiative of the Johannesburg-based 2Roads Art Foundation opened on July 9 and will close on July 31, with four early-career artists set to be selected for an intensive residency beginning in September.
The programme is designed to address one of the biggest challenges facing emerging artists: moving beyond the studio to establish viable professional careers.
Successful applicants will receive dedicated studio space, a stipend, materials support, curatorial guidance and mentorship while developing new bodies of work.
Their residency will culminate in participation in the foundation’s annual Gallery on the Greens Exhibition Week in October, followed by an art auction later in the month, providing a rare opportunity to present their work directly to collectors and the broader art market.
Unlike traditional artist residencies that focus primarily on creative production, the Gallery on the Greens programme integrates three complementary pillars aimed at preparing artists for long-term success.
The residency component provides uninterrupted time and professional support for creating new work, while the education programme offers workshops in artistic techniques, art history, critical theory and portfolio development.
The entrepreneurship stream equips artists with practical skills in branding, financial management, intellectual property, grant writing and market access, helping participants build sustainable creative businesses.
Foundation Lead Kabelo Molaudzi said the programme builds on lessons learned during the successful inaugural residency held in 2025.
“Gallery on the Greens moved the foundation from concept to execution,” he said.
“The residency achieved pan-African reach, credible mentors and partners gave the programme legitimacy, and the auction proved there is both a market and a fundraising story to build from. The 2026 programme takes everything we learnt and executes with greater rigour and ambition.”
The first edition attracted more than 200 applications from across the continent and culminated in an exhibition featuring seven artists, demonstrating both the demand for professional artist development opportunities and the depth of emerging African creative talent.
The foundation believes programmes of this nature are increasingly important as young artists navigate an art world that demands not only creative excellence but also entrepreneurial and business skills.
Through its integrated approach, 2Roads positions itself as an active participant in artists’ development rather than simply a funding organisation. Its mission is to identify, nurture and promote new-generation African artists by creating opportunities that strengthen creative practice, expand professional networks and improve access to markets.
The foundation has also begun establishing an international profile. Earlier this year, it represented South Africa at the World Art Foundations Global Summit hosted by the Fundació Joan Miró in Barcelona, Spain, where it participated in discussions on artist residencies, sustainability and education-led programming alongside leading arts institutions from around the world.
By combining artistic development with practical career preparation, the 2026 Gallery on the Greens Residency seeks to equip a new generation of African artists with the tools needed not only to create compelling work but also to thrive in an increasingly competitive global arts landscape.
Applications close on July 31, with selected artists beginning their residency in September before showcasing their work during the Gallery on the Greens Exhibition Week and accompanying Art Auction in October.
