Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#UnitedKingdom, April 15, 2024 – Upcoming African Caribbean Diaspora artists are being given the opportunity to live and work at King Charles 18th century Dumfries House in Scotland for three months, to hone their skills, reportedly due to an “artist in residence programme” being launched through King Charles’ charity.
This is an opportune development for aspiring Caribbean artists and comes after a collaboration between the King’s charity, that is the King’s Foundation and Maro Itoje, English rugby player and co-founder of Akjoe Residency, a charity that gives opportunities to artists from Commonwealth countries.
The programme will offer up to eight funded residencies annually and during the artists stay, they will be able to share their artistic views with exhibitions, open studios and talks; this is in line with Itjoe’s view that “art has the…ability to bring communities together.”
Featured in reports, Itoje describes the programme as providing a “haven” for established and upcoming artists, adding that the environment at Dumfries will be conducive to their development.
“They will benefit from being surrounded by the enriching ecosystem that Dumfries House provides as well as being a contributor to the growth of African art worldwide.”
Simon Sadinsky, executive of the King’s Foundation mirrors Itoje’s idea of the environment’s impact, while highlighting additional benefits of the programme saying, “The residencies, each lasting for three months, will give international artists the opportunity to gain inspiration from our beautiful Dumfries House headquarters while also benefiting from access to The King’s Foundation’s wide range of specialist workshops, expertise, and skilled craftspeople.”
Dumfries, used for education and training programmes, is open to the public all year round.
