Open Call Tunisian Artist & Curator in Residence December 2025
About Mouhit
Mouhit is an artist residency in Tunis that welcomes creative people at all stages of their careers. It provides a friendly space for artists to reflect, experiment, and grow.
We value feedback and critical thinking, so we connect artists with mentors from various backgrounds to guide them. At the same time, Mouhit gives artists the freedom to plan and manage their residency on their own terms. We also believe in sharing and making art accessible, encouraging artists to engage with the public through open studios, events, and activities.
Mouhit aims to connect Tunisian and international artists by promoting dialogue and collaboration. We help artists by introducing them to the international art scene, supporting them with grant applications, and creating partnerships with other residencies.
The Program
The Artist and Curator Residency program is open to artists and curators but also individuals from various creative fields such as researchers, scenographers, producers and other cultural workers, who are interested in conducting independent research while engaging with a resident artist.
This program invites the two residents to cohabit the residency space for three months. While each participant will focus on their own practice, the program encourages opportunities for collaboration, dialogue, and shared creative exploration.
It aims to support the development of Tunisia based artists, curators and other cultural workers of diverse ages, backgrounds, and disciplines. It provides an opportunity to work in a space that favors experimentation, access materials, labs, get support from mentors and connect with a broader network. At the end of the residency, residents are encouraged to share their work with the public through open studios, an exhibition or other formats.
This round of our open call will welcome one application from an artist or a duo and one application from a curator, researcher or other cultural worker.
The Space
Mouhit is a three-story residence with a large outdoor garden. The first floor includes a shared workspace/common room, a kitchen, and a restroom. The second floor houses 2 private studios that double as accommodation and personal workspaces, along with a shared bathroom. The basement features a soundproof sound lab available on demand.
The outdoor garden provides ample space for relaxation, work, or hosting events, including exhibitions, workshops, and performances. Designed as a modular, multifunctional environment, the space can be adapted to suit diverse artistic needs using available work tables and equipment.
The Neighborhood
Located in Menzah 1, a quiet residential area close to the heart of Tunis, Mouhit offers both tranquility and convenience. The neighborhood features supermarkets, shops, cafes, and restaurants, all within walking distance. The city center is a 20-minute walk away, making it easy for artists to access the vibrant cultural life of Tunis while enjoying the calm of their surroundings.
Duration of the residency
3 months: The residency starts from December 15, 2024 - March 15, 2025
Program Support Package
Accommodation:
- A private bedroom.
- Access to the workspace and available equipment during the residency.
Mentorship:
- One-on-one bi-weekly support from mentors, including artists, curators, writers, and other creative professionals.
Production Support:
- The artist is required to provide a production budget plan at the beginning of the residency.
- The Mouhit team will work to create a budget tailored to the artist’s needs, with a maximum budget of 1500 TND.
- This budget includes costs for the end-of-residency vent.
- Mouhit does not provide a budget for food and transportation.
- Please note, the budget is distributed via reimbursement upon presentation of valid invoices and receipts. No budget is provided in advance.
Event Coordination:
- Support with arranging the space for the presentation of work and coordinating events.
Networking:
- Connection to our local and international network of artists, curators, collectors, and creative practitioners.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to artists based in Tunisia, at any career level.
- Individuals working in any form of media.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Proof of residency in Tunis must be provided.
Selection Criteria
Submissions that demonstrate the following will be prioritized:
For artists and scenographers:
- Artistic curiosity and openness - Project shows artistic growth and risk-taking
- Connection to an environment - willingness to reflect critically on their environment
- Experimentation - Demonstrates willingness or desire to experiment, challenge, expand and critically reflect on their practice
- Priority goes to early-career artists and under-represented communities
- Ability to dedicate significant time to the residency without other full-time commitments.
For Curators, researchers, producers and other cultural workers:
- Demonstrating a genuine interest in the Tunisian art scene and context, showing a consistent curatorial/ research/production practice.
- Must have a minimum of two years of curatorial, exhibition making, researching or production experience, although emerging individuals are encouraged to apply.
- Demonstrates interest in collaboration and experimentation.
- Ability to dedicate significant time to the residency without other full-time commitments.
The applications are reviewed by an external group of peers whose efforts ensure that a broad range of artistic disciplines, approaches and identities are represented.
Expected Output
End of Residency public gathering :
- The artist in residence will host an end of residency public gathering. It is an occasion to share and exchange with the local community, expand networks, and discover new opportunities. It can take the form of an open studio, a talk, an exhibition or any other format of the artist’s choice.
Workshops:
- Artists are encouraged to offer community-oriented workshops on any topic during their stay.
Instagram Collaboration:
- The artist in residence must create a minimum of three collaborative Instagram posts during their residency.
Residency Commitment:
- The resident is expected to be physically present for a minimum of four full days a week at the space. The artist must be fully committed to their residency.
Collaborative Exercise:
- The artist will engage in a collaborative project with the curator in residence. The project will be developed together, with support from a mentor/mediator.
Mentoring & Feedback Sessions:
- The artist will participate in bi-weekly mentoring sessions.
- They are highly encouraged to join a feedback session (mid-way through the residency) with external peers to reflect on their experience and progress.
Applications are accepted in English, Arabic and French