The Yasmine Laraqui Studio Residency offers artists the opportunity to spend time working and living in Casablanca while developing new ideas and projects within a stimulating cultural environment.

The residency is designed as a period of research, experimentation, and exchange, allowing artists to step outside their usual context and engage with the energy of one of North Africa’s most vibrant urban centers.

During the residency, artists are encouraged to explore the city, connect with its cultural landscape, and reflect on the social and urban dynamics that shape contemporary Casablanca.

Residents will have access to a working space and curatorial support, and will be invited to present their work at the end of the residency through an exhibition or public presentation organized by the studio.

The program is open to artists working across disciplines, including visual arts, installation, photography, multimedia, and research-based practices.

While the residency remains open in format, it particularly welcomes projects engaging with themes such as contemporary culture, technology, identity, and the evolving relationships between art and society.

By bringing together international artists and the local creative community, the residency aims to create a space for dialogue, reflection, and artistic experimentation.

STUDIO & ACCOMMODATION

Residents are provided with accommodation in Casablanca as well as access to a working space within Yasmine Laraqui Studio.

The studio offers a flexible environment suitable for a range of artistic practices, including visual arts, photography, installation, and multimedia projects.

Artists are encouraged to develop projects that can be produced within the available resources of the residency.

CASABLANCA AS A CONTEXT

Casablanca is a city shaped by layered histories, modern architecture, and dynamic cultural life. Its unique position at the crossroads of African, Mediterranean, and global influences offers artists a rich environment for observation and research.

Residents are encouraged to explore the city and engage with its artistic, architectural, and social landscapes during their stay.

COMMUNITY & EXCHANGE

The residency aims to foster dialogue between international artists and the local creative community.

Depending on the residency period, artists may have opportunities to participate in:

• studio visits
• informal discussions with local artists and curators
• exhibition events
• public presentations or conversations

These moments of exchange are an important part of the residency experience.

PROGRAM PATHWAYS

Yasmine Laraqui Studio & Residency offers three distinct participation pathways. Applicants should select the option that best reflects their location, needs and proposed project.

1. Residential Program

The Residential Program is intended primarily for international artists, researchers and cultural practitioners, as well as Moroccan practitioners living outside Casablanca who require accommodation.

Residencies may last from one to three months.

The residency fee is EUR 1,000 per artist, per month and includes:

• Accommodation in the Mers Sultan residency apartment

• Wi-Fi and basic utilities

• Access to Yasmine Laraqui Studio as a working and research space

• Curatorial dialogue and professional guidance

• Introductions to relevant artists and cultural practitioners

• Support in developing a public presentation when appropriate

Residents are responsible for their travel, visa, insurance, meals, local transportation, materials, printing, framing, shipping and specialised production expenses.

A 30% non-refundable deposit is required to secure confirmed dates. The remaining balance is due one month before arrival.

2. Project-Based Collaborations for Moroccan Practitioners

Moroccan artists, writers, researchers, curators and cultural practitioners who are based in Casablanca or do not require accommodation may apply for a project-based collaboration with Yasmine Laraqui Studio.

This pathway is developed according to the needs, duration and feasibility of each project. It may include:

• Access to the studio for agreed working sessions

• Curatorial and project-development meetings

• Research support and professional guidance

• Introductions to local or international practitioners

• Participation in selected exhibitions, talks or studio programs

• Communication and visibility through the studio’s platforms

• Collaboration with visiting residents when relevant

Project-based participation does not include accommodation and does not automatically include production funding, permanent studio access or a guaranteed exhibition.

The structure, schedule, responsibilities and any applicable costs are agreed upon individually before the collaboration begins.

Applicants should explain why their project would benefit from working with the studio and what form of collaboration they are seeking.

3. Fellowships

A limited number of partial or fully supported fellowships may occasionally be offered to Moroccan practitioners, subject to available funding, institutional partnerships or private sponsorship.

Fellowships are not permanently available and cannot be guaranteed through the general application process.

When available, a fellowship may cover part or all of:

• Residency or program fees

• Studio access

• Curatorial support

• Accommodation for applicants based outside Casablanca

• Specific research or production expenses

Travel, materials and other expenses are covered only when explicitly stated in the fellowship announcement.

Priority may be given to applicants who demonstrate:

• A strong and clearly articulated practice

• A project connected to Casablanca or the Moroccan context

• A genuine need for financial support

• The potential for meaningful research, experimentation or local exchange

• A realistic project scope and working methodology

Fellowship opportunities will be announced separately through the studio’s website, newsletter and social media platforms.

ELIGIBILITY

The program welcomes:

• Visual artists

• Photographers and filmmakers

• Writers and researchers

• Curators

• Designers and architects

• Sound, digital and multimedia practitioners

• Interdisciplinary and socially engaged practices

Applicants may be emerging, mid-career or established practitioners. Formal art-school training is not required.

Projects should demonstrate a genuine connection to the residency’s context, resources or community. Applications proposing only accommodation, tourism or the use of the studio without a defined research or artistic purpose will not be prioritised.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit:

• A short biography and current CV

• A portfolio or link to recent work

• A project proposal or research statement of no more than one page

• Your preferred dates and proposed duration

• The pathway for which you are applying

• Your technical, spatial and production requirements

• The intended development or outcome of the project

• A short explanation of why Casablanca and Yasmine Laraqui Studio are relevant to your research

• For fellowship consideration: a brief explanation of your financial need and any other funding applications in progress

Incomplete applications or proposals that do not correspond to the studio’s facilities may not be considered.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis according to artistic relevance, feasibility, available space and the potential for meaningful exchange.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

Residents and collaborators may be invited to share their work through an exhibition, open studio, artist talk, screening, workshop or research presentation.

The format is developed collaboratively and depends on the nature of the project, the residency calendar, available venues and technical feasibility. A public presentation is encouraged but is not automatically guaranteed.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, participating practitioners remain responsible for materials, printing, framing, transportation, installation and other production expenses.