Who can apply
- Individual artists
- Creative practitioners
- Performing artists
- Visual artists
- Designers
- Film and media practitioners
- Digital artists and creatives
- Writers and literary practitioners
- Cultural curators
- Heritage practitioners
- Artists legally residing and working in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa or Zimbabwe
Focus areas
- Cultural heritage
- Heritage narratives
- Performing arts
- Visual arts
- Design
- Film
- Media arts
- Digital arts
- Literary arts
- Narrative arts
- Cultural curation
- Heritage practice
- Interdisciplinary artistic collaboration
- Contemporary storytelling
- Intercultural dialogue
- Creative co-production
- Southern African cultural identity
Requirements
- The applicant must be an individual artist or creative practitioner.
- The applicant must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
- The applicant must legally reside and work in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa or Zimbabwe.
- The applicant must have at least three years of professional artistic or creative practice.
- Professional experience must be demonstrated through a portfolio, CV or other relevant supporting materials.
- Applicants should provide a portfolio, CV, artist statement and biography.
- Applicants must demonstrate experience or relevance in cultural, social or heritage-related narratives, or strong potential to contribute to new heritage narratives.
- Applicants must be willing and able to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary group of artists from multiple countries.
- Selected practitioners must participate in a one-week narrative retreat.
- Selected practitioners must participate in two joint project working sessions.
- Selected practitioners must participate in online collaboration and co-creation over a six-month period.
- Selected practitioners must participate in the required public presentation activities.
- Applicants may apply to participate in up to three Heritage Narrative Clusters but may only be selected for one.
- Staff members or immediate family members of the Goethe-Institut or the relevant Heritage Organisation are not eligible.
- Individuals or entities subject to EU restrictive measures are not eligible.
Application steps
- Review the official Grants for Creative and Artistic Practitioners call and the available Heritage Narrative Clusters.
- Identify up to three Narrative Clusters that best match your artistic practice and experience.
- Prepare a professional portfolio demonstrating at least three years of artistic or creative practice.
- Prepare an updated CV.
- Prepare an artist statement.
- Prepare a short professional biography.
- Explain your experience with cultural, social or heritage-related narratives.
- Demonstrate how your artistic practice fits the selected Heritage Narrative Cluster or Clusters.
- Confirm your availability for the full six-month collaboration, including travel, working sessions and public presentations.
- Create or log into an account on the Goethe Application Portal.
- Complete the online application and upload all required supporting materials.
- Submit the application by 5 October 2026.
Global Grants Hub strategic note
A valuable individual funding opportunity for established and emerging creative practitioners across Southern Africa. Unlike many cultural grants that require a registered organisation, this call is designed specifically for individual artists and creatives with at least three years of professional practice. Applicants should study the Heritage Narrative Clusters carefully and apply only where their portfolio and creative approach clearly match the narrative, artistic disciplines and collaboration needs. Strong applications should demonstrate originality, interdisciplinary collaboration potential and a credible connection to cultural or heritage storytelling.