onye ozi
(the messenger)
A fellowship inviting diverse Black/African descent creatives to explore challenges and possibilities of cross-cultural Black experiences in Diaspora.
Over several months participating artists engage in personal inquiry, dialogues, community conversations, and art/media creation to collaboratively produce an artistic project that speaks to the issues with the goal of providing unity and understanding across various Black/African communities.
‘Onye Ozi’ (‘Messenger’) brings Bay Area artists of diverse African ancestry across disciplines to create work that uses their personal experiences and artistic practice as a virile catalyst for social change. Fellows reflect on the embodiment of the term paired with the phrase ‘ọnụ ụzọ’ (portal), how they/their work creates a pathway of discourse among new Black immigrants* and existing African American* communities.
‘Onye Ozi’ aims to acknowledge and name the layers of complexity (“from conflict or personal animosity to understanding common history and political context”) of African/Black Identity. Positing that although political and environmental factors commandeer the issues, there is no one more instrumental than the artist, to instigate a pathway for a new vision. One that has to begin with personal reconstruction and face-to-face dialogue.
FOR NEW BLACK IMMIGRANTS* AND EXISTING AFRICAN AMERICANS*
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The fellowship is open to people of African descent. We are seeking a mixed cohort that can represent a variety of art disciplines, nationality/ethnicity, age, gender, generational residence in the United States, as well as other factors.
The ideal fellow is interested in/curious about delving into the complex conversations surrounding the relationships between *Africans & *African Americans in the United States, and employing art as a way to permeate and inform the community and mainstream audiences. We are looking for fellows that are able to commit to the entire fellowship period, and have artistic rigor and quality, intellectual curiosity, strong work ethic, willingness to learn, are truthful and honest yet humble, open to working collaboratively but can also take individual initiative, have strong communication skills; and demonstrate organization, attention to detail, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
The fellow must be able to produce a final artistic presentation for the public, as well as complete an evaluation of their experience. We will only be accepting a limited number of fellows.
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Recognition as a part of an integral cohort of change makers and dynamic art practicioners
Connection to studio/creative space for the duration of the fellowship; professional and peer mentorship and referrals; marketing (including professional photo & video); production support for new work in shared showcases; and an artist stipend.
A $2000 stipend upon successful completion of fellowship
A mini grant towards production of fellowship-related work
Support towards getting additional funding to produce work
Complimentary or discounted attendance to shows, workshops and other events produced by Afro Urban Society and/or Partner organizations through the duration of the fellowship (dependent on availability)
Professional referrals to resources and artistic organizations in the Bay Area
Connection to a network of arts and social justice practitioners
Referrals to professionals to support your work as Coaches/Advisors
Support and mentoring with artistic and career development
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MEETING SESSIONS (REQUIRED) - DOWNTOWN OAKLAND, CA
The Onye Ozi Artist for Social Change Fellowship will be from September 2019 through June 2020. We are looking for working artists, people who can participate in sessions and labs during the day on weekdays. We ask that applicants commit to participating fully for the duration of the Fellowship.
Your commitment will include attending 20 in-person sessions: weekly in September & October ‘19; monthly Nov '19 -Feb '20 and May & June ‘20; biweekly March & April 2020; 3 self-scheduled sessions and; a group public presentation of final artwork/creative expression in May 2019. The tentative schedule is as follows. We may make adjustments to schedule based on cohort needs.
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Complete Application Form
Application Due Date: February 19, 2024Invitation Notifications: March 5, 2024
For more info
Email: programs@afrourbansociety.com
Call/Text: +1 (510) 854-6784
*African and American identity in the US has/is becoming even more complex. For the purposes of this project ‘African’ refers to 1-2nd generation immigrants of African descent to the United States, and African Americans refer to existing African American communities who have been here for 3 generations or longer and have disconnects from their continental heritage. The gradient of African or ‘American’ Immigrant identity also includes those of Caribbean & Latinx heritage.
meet the fellows!
After 9 months of reflection, discourse, and exploration, Afro Urban Society is honored to present a digital event featuring our 2019-2020 Onye Ozi Artist Cohort.
‘How We Find Ourselves’
A (online) multidisciplinary artistic experience on African diasporic relations and identity.
