A transformative year-long programme for aspiring art and museum professionals across Africa.
Programme conveners: Dr Greer Valley, Senior Curator & Head of Curatorial Affairs at Zeitz MOCAA, and Prof Rory Bester, a leading academic in the Department of Historical Studies at UWC
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) are excited to announce the open call for the 2026 Museum Fellowship Programme. This prestigious year-long initiative is designed for aspiring contemporary art and museum professionals across Africa who are eager to shape the future of curatorial practice, arts research, and museum management. Applications close on 30 June 2025, with only the first 100 applications being considered. Successful candidates will be contacted by 4 August 2025.
About the Museum Fellowship Programme
Launched in 2022, the Zeitz MOCAA & UWC Museum Fellowship Programme is a pan-African initiative aimed at enriching Africa’s dynamic art and heritage sector. Supported by the Mellon Foundation, the programme focuses on contemporary art, curatorial practice, art education, conservation, heritage, and museology within Africa and its Diaspora.
Fellows gain hands-on experience working with Zeitz MOCAA’s senior staff across multiple departments, including Curatorial, Registrar & Collection Management, Exhibition Design, Art Education, and Institutional Advancement. Their work spans exhibitions, publishing, public programming, art education, and fundraising. Alongside this practical experience, fellows engage in rigorous academic coursework at UWC’s Department of Historical Studies, working towards an accredited BA Honours qualification.
Leadership and Learning Opportunities
The programme is co-convened by Dr Greer Valley, Senior Curator & Head of Curatorial Affairs at Zeitz MOCAA, and Prof Rory Bester, a leading academic in the Department of Historical Studies at UWC. Together, they ensure that fellows receive a well-rounded education in museum practice and research.
Dr Greer Valley explains, “The fellowship programme offers an unparalleled combination of practical museum experience and academic rigor. Fellows will work closely with professionals at Zeitz MOCAA while studying courses in historiography, curatorship, museology, and public history at UWC.”
Prof Rory Bester adds, “With UWC’s innovative curriculum and Zeitz MOCAA’s world-class museum setting, the programme provides a unique and enriching experience that contributes meaningfully to the continent’s art and heritage ecosystem.”
2026 Fellowship Recruitment Drive
To engage potential applicants, Dr Valley and Prof Bester will lead a Fellowship Recruitment Drive from 24 March to 28 April 2025, visiting key institutions across Africa:
- Lagos, Nigeria – G.A.S. (Guest Artist Space)
- Lomé, Togo – Palais de Lomé
- Cotonou & Porto Novo, Benin – Fondation Zinsou & School of African Heritage
- Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – SOMETHING Art Space
These sessions will provide insights into the fellowship’s objectives, expectations, and application process. The engagements will include presentations, a panel discussion with local practitioners, and a Q&A session.
For those unable to attend in person, an online Q&A session will take place on Thursday, 29 May 2025, from 6 PM to 6:45 PM (SAST) on Zeitz MOCAA’s social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and Spaces on X).
Who Should Apply?
The programme is designed for individuals passionate about contemporary art and museum practice, particularly those interested in careers in:
- Art museums and galleries
- Art education and publishing
- Collection management (private and public)
- Art centres, biennials, and festivals
Fellows dedicate three days a week to Zeitz MOCAA work and two days a week to UWC studies. The programme covers tuition, accommodation, basic health insurance, and a monthly stipend, but does not include travel or visa costs.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in art, heritage, museum studies, or a relevant humanities field
- Demonstrate the ability to work at a postgraduate level
- Have 2-3 years of relevant work experience
- Possess excellent writing skills
- Be a citizen of an African country
- Have proficiency in English
- Show knowledge of contemporary art and heritage from Africa and its Diaspora
Why Zeitz MOCAA & UWC?
Zeitz MOCAA is committed to being a civic space that nurtures dialogue, exhibitions, research, and collections that shape contemporary African narratives. The museum continues to serve as a critical hub for cultural engagement and storytelling.
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is an internationally respected institution known for its commitment to academic excellence and societal impact. As a site of critical inquiry, it fosters a new generation of thinkers ready to contribute to the ever-evolving African cultural landscape.
Both Zeitz MOCAA and UWC are dedicated to diversity in all forms, including gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
Apply Now
The Zeitz MOCAA & UWC Museum Fellowship Programme is a unique opportunity to engage with the contemporary art world at the highest level. If you are ready to take your career to the next stage, submit your application before 30 June 2025.
For more details, visit Zeitz MOCAA or UWC.
