One artist’s hustle fuelling another’s 

Over the last decade, we've seen artists do more than just make work -  they've built networks, platforms and possibilities. In short, they've hustled. Not only creating opportunities for themselves, but also for those around them. It's a defining feature of today's art world.

This week, we spotlight three artist-led spaces that are reimagining what support looks like.

Occupying the Gallery, image courtesy of the collective

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Still Art

Named in homage to Ayana V Jackson’s paternal grandmother, Still Art is an artist residency program focused on emerging Southern African contemporary artists of all disciplines. Founded by South Africa based American artist Ayana V Jackson, Still Art is a decades old dream fulfilled. The residency offers artists a three month stay in the Ellis House Artist Building in Johannesburg’s Central Business District. In addition to their studio and living space the Artist receive a stipend for materials, transportation and a modest honorarium. Up to two artists per quarter will share the two adjoining 3000 sq. ft studio spaces. Our aim is to create mental and physical space for the creative process to flow uninterrupted by offering the stillness of mind and body.

Watch and find out more here.

Still from video snippet about Still Live residency programme, courtesy of the website

Occupying the Gallery

Occupying the Gallery is a visual arts based project space, mentorship/support programme, mobile studio, collective and artist residency established in July 2023 by artist’s Mary Sibande and Lawrence Lemaoana.

Its core function is to ‘occupy’ galleries/institutions, alongside emerging artists, to produce experimental visual arts showcases in collaboration with relevant arts and culture orientated partners. The main pillar of Occupying the Gallery are the ‘Occupants’. This is the title given to young and emerging (and often unrepresented) artists that ‘Occupy’ mentors, collaborates with and guides through our projects and programmes. Founded with the belief that art should be a living, evolving experience, the collective focuses on creating spaces where boundaries between artist, audience, and environment are constantly shifting. By transforming traditional gallery spaces into immersive, interactive experiences, Occupying the Gallery invites viewers to not just observe, but to actively engage and participate in the creation of art.

Occupying the Gallery at RMB Latitudes Art Fair 2024, photo by Anthea Pokroy

The work of occupants spans a variety of mediums, from traditional modes of visual art and installation to performance and immersive installations, all unified by a commitment to challenge conventions and spark meaningful dialogue around identity, space, and culture.

Through these projects and programmes we aim to bridge the gap of knowledge and access between emerging artists and industry/economical/entrepreneurial success in the local art landscape and beyond.

Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize (BNAP) Foundation

BNAP Foundation is an NPO that aims to address the needs of emerging artists to be able to sustain themselves in the art industry through residencies. Their objective is to professionally incubate emerging artists through various workshops for business and creative development. BNAP Foundation aim to promote visual arts in South Africa while encouraging international networking and learning through exchange.

BNAP Foundation at RMB Latitudes 2025, photo by Anthea Pokroy

Their goal is to expand our program and award globally by collaborating with international art organizations. They envision the BNAP Foundation participating in art fairs and coordinating exhibitions with art galleries and other institutions to create diverse activities, exposure for visual artists, and visibility for the BNAP Award. As a Non-Profit Organization BNAP welcomes collaborations that assist us to raise funds to ensure the sustainability of the organization.

The Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize is aimed at assisting young and emerging visual artists to launch their careers in the art industry. The award acknowledges excellence in emerging artists (under 35) specializing in either sculpture, drawing and painting, performance or mixed media and provides an opportunity to showcase their talents to a broader audience. The artist is provided with studio space, materials budget, a stipend throughout the term of their residencies, guided workshops and a funded solo exhibition after the residency ends.

BNAP Foundation is sponsored by Art Angels, Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and Everard Read Gallery Cape Town.