ARTIST OPEN CALL 


Dancers, choreographers, theatre-makers, circus artists, physical theatre performers, writers based in London – we want to hear from you!

Certain Blacks have recently partnered with the KimpaVita – a cultural, pan-African, feminist and eco-responsible initiative supported by the Collektif Sankarista to co-commission a performance to be presented in Senegal and the UK in 2026.

Founded in 2021, the KimpaVita aims to raise awareness and mobilise the general public and civil society organisations in support of women’s rights in Africa, by promoting cultural activities in an eco-responsible pan-African approach. Find further information about the KimpaVita HERE. 

They will celebrate the 7^th edition of their festival on the 30^th and 31^st of January 2026 at the Maison de la Culture Douta SECK in Dakar. Each year, the festival features a particular culture from an African country or a nation with African roots. For this edition, the KimpaVita festival has selected Congo-Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) as a spotlight for the programme, explored through a feminist and ecological lens.

We are looking for a London-based artist from a Congolese background or whose artistic practice connects with Congolese culture to take part in the co-creation of a co-commissioned performance developed between Dakar and London.

We especially invite women and gender-diverse artists — including cis and trans women, as well as non-binary and gender-expansive individuals who identify with women’s experiences — who are developing their practice as dancers, choreographers, theatre-makers, circus artists, physical theatre performers, or writers, or whose work blends different forms of performance.

This opportunity is intended to support women and gender-diverse people underrepresented in the performing arts. 

About the co-commissioned process

The selected artist will collaborate with a dancer based in Dakar and will take part in a one-week Research and Development to co-create the performance and present a work-in-progress sharing as part of the KimpaVita festival.

Then, the Dakar-based dancer will travel to London to continue the Research and Development and present a continuation of the work in Certain Black’s indoor festival, Black Athena, happening in March 2026 at the Rich Mix.

Co-creation timeline

Artist fee 

The selected artist will receive a commission of £1,400 to develop the work between the two countries. The festivals will cover international travel, accommodation and per diems in Senegal.

This festival exchange and co-creation is supported by the British Council’s Festival Connect Fund.

Application steps and deadlines

All applicants should have the right to work in the UK and a valid passport to travel overseas.

Step 1 – Send a CV and a cover letter of a maximum of 2 pages outlining:

• Why you are interested in the opportunity 
• How you and your practice connect with Congo-Kinshasa. 
• What would be your approach towards co-creating a new piece made in Dakar and London and with an artist you have not collaborated before.
• Video links to your work (reels, website, etc)

Please send both files to info@certainblacks.com 

Step 2 – Complete our Equal Opportunities form using the following link HERE.