Black Rhino in Kenya is looking for 50 artists and creative practitioners to collaborate with for a new training programme on augmented reality (AR) technology that will empower creatives with 21st century digital and executive function skills to build their own AR content.
The purpose of this call is to help bridge the digital divide for the underrepresented artists in Kenya by boosting the digital skills, livelihood prospects and networks, artists and creative professionals.
The approach will leverage on Black Rhino’s No-code platform called MediAR. It is Africa’s first augmented reality design studio and publishing platform. The MediAR AR toolkit is designed for creators and companies who want to push the boundaries of creativity and storytelling while leveraging on AR technology.
About the call
This open call is designed for creatives interested in learning and applying AR for content creation. Selected participants will act as learners and training collaborators. They will undergo training on MediAR, equipping them with the skills to rapidly build, publish, and implement AR content and solutions without the need for code. Additionally, participants will engage with MediAR’s Learning Management Toolkit, providing valuable feedback to enhance its functionality and alignment with core audience needs.Â
The MediAR ecosystem consists of three components.
1. MediAR designer studio
The MediAR Designer Studio is an online platform that allows content creators to rapidly build, publish, analyse and scale immersive AR experiences across the complete customer journey.
The platform is equipped with an online toolkit featuring instruments and utilities that will enable individuals to create high- fidelity mobile AR experiences. MediAR studio users are able to instantly publish their content which will be viewed via the MediAR phone app.
2. MediAR phone app
The MediAR phone app enables instant distribution of AR experiences to both iOS and Android devices. The mobile app is used as a connection point for creatives and companies to access AR content as well as distribute. One will simply have to open the app, scan an image with a MediAR code on it, et voila! The rest is magic.
The MediAR platform has a unique financial inclusive model for content creators based on a pay- per-view model whereby brands will opt into a revenue share model with the content creators for published works.
Our mission is to start a youth-led platform & foster a community of practise that will utilize the power of eXtended Reality (XR) Technologies. This project will build skills for the next generation of entrepreneurs and content creators from Africa that will subsequently foster a digital ecosystem and economy. 
3. MediAR learning management system (Toolkit)
We have developed an online learning management platform tailored for creatives, focusing on a human-centred design approach to building Augmented Reality (AR) content and solutions.
Our toolkit allows users to understand how they can seamlessly create, publish, analyse, and scale AR experiences, making it the ultimate toolkit for those looking to push the boundaries of creativity and storytelling leveraging on AR technology.
By the end of our workshops, participants will have gained a comprehensive understanding of the macro and micro impacts and complexities of Augmented Reality (AR), along with actionable pathways for fostering growth in the field.
Additionally, they will have hands-on experience and will have created their very own AR projects, equipping them with the skills and confidence to apply AR solutions effectively in their respective domains.
Submission requirements
If you are interested in this call, please submit
- Updated CV
- Portfolio: Examples of previous work or projects done.
- Statement of interest: Why you are interested in participating in this project (1 page).
Eligibility criteria
 We are looking for artists/creative professional (e.g. 3D specialists, UI / UX designers, graphic designers, visual artists, animators, creative technologists, filmmakers):
- Skills/expertise requirements: Graphic design, videography, motion graphics, 3D and VFX skills.
- Country eligibility: Only applicants based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Grant
A total of CHF6,175 (about $878,851) is available for participants.Â
Terms of reference and timeline
Selected grantees are expected to attend a one-week intensive training (four hours a day for five days), which will take place some time between May and July 2025.Â
Grantees are expected to attend all sessions, observe timeliness, engage in all scheduled session activities and submit their projects by the end of the training session for evaluation. It is equally expected that they continue developing projects with the tool(s) made available and work towards monetizing the skills acquired.
Application process
Step 1: Create an account by clicking on the register-button on this page and start a new submission for the call – Learning Labs: Developing training platform on Augmented Reality.
Step 2: Fill in all required fields and upload the required attachments. You can save the application and complete it later until the deadline.
Step 3: Once you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an automatic email confirmation.
Submission deadline: January 19, 2025.
For more information visit here or contact Malaya Del Rosario via email at malaya.delrosario@artlink.ch