The Ampersand
Fellowship
“A fully or semi-funded residency in the Tribeca neighbourhood of New York City — one of the world's most dynamic art ecosystems — granted annually to the finest South African visual artists.”
The fellowship was established in 1997 and has since supported more than 300 South African artists. It remains one of the most prestigious and impactful arts residencies on the African continent.
Fellows are housed in the Ampersand apartment in Tribeca, New York — two blocks from the World Trade Centre site — giving them direct access to world-class museums, commercial galleries, artist studios and arts institutions.
The residency is designed for professional development: fellows visit museums, attend gallery openings, meet collectors and curators, and have space to develop new work or research within the New York arts community.
Apply
Professional South African visual artists of any age and discipline submit an application reviewed by the foundation's selection committee.
Selection
A distinguished panel of South African and American trustees reviews applications, selecting fellows who demonstrate outstanding creative merit.
Residency
Selected fellows spend one to two months in the Ampersand apartment in Tribeca, New York — fully or semi-funded — visiting museums, galleries and studios.
Return & Impact
Fellows return to South Africa enriched by international exposure, new networks and perspectives that shape their practice for years to come.
The Ampersand Foundation has significantly shaped South Africa's fine art landscape by providing visual artists with exposure to the international arts world of New York.