Shape the Future of African Art and Museums: Apply for the Zeitz MOCAA & UWC Museum Fellowship Programme 2026!

Do you dream of becoming a leading voice in the African art and museum world? The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) are offering a transformative opportunity for aspiring professionals like you through their fully-funded Museum Fellowship Programme for 2026.

This intensive one-year pan-African programme is designed to cultivate the next generation of curators, art educators, conservators, heritage specialists, and museologists. Fellows will gain invaluable hands-on experience working directly with senior staff at the prestigious Zeitz MOCAA in departments such as Curatorial, Collection Management, Exhibition Design, Art Education, and Institutional Advancement. You'll actively contribute to real museum projects, from exhibitions and publications to public programs and fundraising.

Complementing this practical experience, you'll undertake accredited BA Honours-level academic coursework at the University of the Western Cape's Department of Historical Studies. This rigorous curriculum will delve into historiography, curatorship, museology, and public history, providing you with a strong theoretical foundation.

Programme Highlights:

One-year full-time fellowship: February 2026 – January 2027
Hands-on experience: Three days a week at Zeitz MOCAA
Academic study: Two days a week at UWC towards a BA Honours qualification

Comprehensive support: Includes tuition, accommodation, basic health insurance, and a monthly stipend.
Pan-African focus: Designed for citizens of African countries.
Hear from the Co-Convenors:

Dr Greer Valley, Senior Curator & Head of Curatorial Affairs at Zeitz MOCAA, emphasizes that the programme offers "exposure to museum practice facilitated by Zeitz MOCAA senior staff and is underpinned by academic rigour in art, heritage, and museum scholarship facilitated by the UWC’s Department of Historical Studies."

Prof Rory Bester from UWC highlights the programme's unique combination: "UWC’s innovative and engaging curriculum, coupled with the first-hand experience and insight gained at a world-class museum such as Zeitz MOCAA, offers fellows an intellectually rich exploration of the fundamental networks and systems that contribute towards the continent’s art and heritage ecosystem."

Learn More and Apply:

Don't miss the chance to connect directly with the programme co-convenors, Dr. Greer Valley and Prof. Rory Bester, during their pan-African Fellowship Recruitment Drive from April 24th to May 8th, 2025. They will be visiting:

• Nigeria: G.A.S. (Guest Artist Space), Lagos
• Togo: Palais de Lomé, Lomé
• Benin: Fondation Zinsou, Cotonou & School of African Heritage, Porto Novo
• Côte d’Ivoire: SOMETHING Art Space, Abidjan

These sessions will provide valuable insights into the fellowship's objectives, the experiences it offers, and the application process.

You can also join a live Q&A session on Thursday, May 29th, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM (SAST) on Zeitz MOCAA’s social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and X - Spaces).

Who Should Apply?

Ideal candidates will:

• Preferably hold a bachelor’s degree in art, heritage or museum studies, or another relevant humanities field.
• Demonstrate the capacity for postgraduate-level work.
• Possess knowledge of contemporary art and heritage from Africa and the African Diaspora.
• Have excellent writing skills.
• Possess 2-3 years of relevant work experience.
• Be a citizen of an African country.
• Be proficient in English.

Important Dates:

• Application Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Only the first 100 applications will be considered)
• Notification of Successful Applicants: August 4, 2025
• Programme Dates: February 2026 – January 2027

Ready to take the next step in your career?

This fellowship is a unique opportunity to gain unparalleled experience and academic grounding in the vibrant African art and museum sector. Apply now to be part of this transformative journey!

For more information on the application process, please email submissions@zeitzmocaa.museum.

The Zeitz MOCAA & UWC Museum Fellowship Programme is presented in partnership with the University of the Western Cape and generously supported by the Mellon Foundation.