Musicians, spoken word artists in SA invited to apply for MusicXwords initiative

The initiative aims to facilitate interdisciplinary exchange between musicians and spoken word artists in South Africa. It will provide training to participants and offer them showcasing opportunities in South Africa and across Europe, while actively strengthening collaboration between South African artists and European festivals, bookers, and programmers.

How the project works 

• This call invites spoken word artists and musicians based in South Africa to apply.
• A dedicated web platform on Music In Africa will promote the participants, allowing them to showcase their content (audio and video) to European festivals, bookers and programmers. The platform will also act as a virtual marketplace, allowing musicians to promote their music and spoken word content seamlessly.
• A jury will select the best applicants (up to 10) who will perform at a virtual concert in Johannesburg. All performers will be paid for the performances.
• Selected participants (up to 30) will also receive training during a workshop in Johannesburg.
• After the showcase, some performers (a minimum of five) will be selected to participate at festivals in Europe in 2022.
• After the showcase, some performers (a minimum of five) will be selected to tour Europe in 2022.
• In collaboration with the Cultural Relations Platform, the project will also offer participants access to a tailored European festival directory, which they can use to explore new partnerships and opportunities. 

Application opening and closing dates

The call for applications is open from 25 August 2021 and will close at midnight on 22 September 2021.

Eligibility criteria for applicants

• This call is open musicians and spoken word artists (applicants may be solo artists or bands, etc.).
• All applicants must be over 18 years old.
• All musician applications must be based on live performances and original music. No backing tracks.
• All participants must be willing and able to participate in all the activities of the project, which include:
  • Training workshops.
  • Performances.
  • Potential travel (to participate at festivals) to Europe.
• As there is potential to travel outside South Africa, participants should be in possession of a valid passport. If not, they must obtain a passport before travel in 2022. 
• All applicants must be able to provide proof of prior performances or works. This will be done through the submission of links and/or videos on the applicant’s Music In Africa profile.
• Applicants must be able to cover travel costs to attend the workshop in Johannesburg. 
• The project is aimed at artists who are export-ready. 
• Applications can be submitted by the artists themselves or by the artists’/bands’ representatives (managers, agents, etc.).

Non-eligible applicants

• Applicants not based in South Africa.
• Applicants over the age of 40
• Employees of the MIAF, members of the board and committees are not eligible.

Travel and accommodation

• All applicants should be able to cover their own travel to the workshops and performances in Johannesburg.
• Artists selected to participate at festivals will have their participation costs in Europe covered by the Cultural Relations Platform (travel, accommodation, fixed per diem).

Language

• All applications should be in English.
• All communications from the project team to applicants will be in English, including email, telephonic or otherwise.

Application process

How to apply

• Visit the MusicXworks official website, read the call for applications carefully and collect all required materials.
• Create (if you haven’t already) a profile on the Music In Africa Artist & Industry section using this registration link. Make sure that your profile is up-to-date, as this is the profile that the jury will review. Here is an example of a Music In Africa profile: https://www.musicinafrica.net/node/21539.

Your profile must include the following:

• A clear biography.
• At least three latest song releases.
• At least one live performance video.
• At least two high-resolution promotional photos and credits.
• Social media links. 

Go to the official application form(link is external). Complete and submit the online application form in English.

NOTE: The application submission platform does not allow applicants to save their applications and complete them later. Before applicants start any work on the submission platform, it is advised that they first collect all the required compulsory documents. 

Email applications will NOT be considered

Compulsory items

The compulsory documents that must be submitted together with the application are:

• An up-to-date Music In Africa profile.
• A motivation including details of your performing experience. This motivation must not be longer than two pages.
• A copy of your ID/passport.

ALL compulsory documents must be submitted in PDF format.

Adjudication of applications

Selection jury

Applications will be adjudicated and awarded by a jury appointed by the MIAF and the Cultural Relations Platform.

Preliminary and eligibility review

• This is a preliminary review where all eligible projects are prepared for evaluation at project team level.
• All ineligible applications are also identified and automatically disqualified. It is important that you read the guidelines below carefully and supply all the required information in your application.

Evaluation criteria and guidelines

Eligible applications will be scored against set criteria. Up to 50 applicants will be shortlisted and a jury will review their digital application submissions. The jury will use these profiles to select up to 10 entries from the participants, which will be selected for a live performance at an interactive live venue in Johannesburg.

From this selection up to five (5) artists will be selected for participation at festivals in Europe.

Participants must ensure that their submissions include all the materials specified in this call.

Disqualification

The following will lead to automatic disqualification:

• Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria as stated in these guidelines.
• Provision of dishonest and inaccurate information.
• Incomplete submission of the application form.
• Submission of applications that do not adhere to the format and length guidelines established.
• Late submission of any or all documentation.

Announcement of results

• The result of the adjudication will be published within fifteen (15) working days after the application deadline.
• All successful applicants will be notified in writing prior to the results being publicised.
• Unsuccessful applicants will be notified.
• An application can only be considered successful once a formal letter addressed to the beneficiary has been received and the necessary documentation has been submitted and signed off by the MIAF.

Contact and admin support

For enquiries about this project, application process and other admin-related matters, kindly email Violet Maila at violet@musicinafrica.net(link sends e-mail).

About MusicXwords

The MusicXwords project is an initiative by the EU Delegation to South Africa, implemented in partnership with the Music In Africa Foundation and supported by the Cultural Relations Platform.

About the Music In Africa Foundation

The MIAF is a pan-African, non-profit organisation based in Rosebank, Johannesburg, with satellite offices in East, West and Central Africa. The MIAF’s mission is to support the African music sector through promoting knowledge exchange and creating opportunities and capacity for music professionals. The foundation does this in two ways: digitally via the Music In Africa website (www.musicinafrica.net) and offline through training programmes, artist mobility programmes, workshops, concerts, lobbying, conferences and other related initiatives.

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About the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa 

Since the establishment of the European Union Delegation in the country after the first democratic elections in 1994, the EU and South Africa saw rapidly expanded cooperation. The relations were strengthened in 2007 with the establishment of the EU-South Africa Strategic Partnership, a forward-looking platform that facilitates wide-ranging cooperation between our two parties. A range of dialogues between the EU and South Africa allow to share experiences in areas of common interest, or where challenges have to be faced. Areas covered by these dialogues include education, health, energy, the environment, macro-economic policies, human rights, peace, and security including maritime security. The partnership is broad and comprehensive and covers political, trade, and development interests, as well as cultural relations. Except for consular tasks, the Delegation in Pretoria functions like an embassy; it is a diplomatic mission representing the European Union to South Africa together with the 27 Member States of the European Union. 

More information is availbe on:

• Official website(link is external)
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About the Cultural Relations Platform

Launched in April 2020 by the European Union, the Cultural Relations Platform is designed to strengthen the EU’s ability to engage meaningfully with different audiences and stakeholders in its partner countries, through enhanced cultural relations and cultural cooperation. The Platform aims to promote and facilitate sustainable cultural exchange, support cooperation among cultural and creative sectors, and strengthen communities and networks of cultural practitioners. It supports and funds several activities in partner countries around the globe, including in collaboration with the EU delegations Worldwide. 

More information is availabl on: 

• Official website(link is external)
• Twitter(link is external)
• Facebook