OneBeat Kenya is inviting artists from East Africa and the United States to apply for its 2025 residency programme.
The dynamic two-and-a-half-week creative residency will bring together 12 trailblazing artist leaders from across East Africa and the United States. This residency is designed for collaboration, growth, and innovation.
Ten artists from East Africa and two artists from the United States, spanning genres and musical communities, will unite to explore new musical horizons and sharpen their professional and entrepreneurial skills. The program will run from August 20 to September 8, 2025.
Set in the inspiring Distant Relatives Ecolodge in the town of Kilifi, just a short drive from Mombasa, OneBeat Kenya will immerse participants in a thriving music scene, rich in culture and energy.
This residency offers an intensive program full of creative workshops, discussions, and hands-on exercises, along with master classes, music recording sessions, and filmmaking projects.
OneBeat Kenya Fellows will also take part in meaningful engagements with the local community, forging lasting connections. OneBeat Kenya is more than just a residency; it’s an exhilarating journey of collaboration and creativity, set to ignite new possibilities and inspire future collaborations across continents.
OneBeat Kenya is an initiative of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, produced by Found Sound Nation, with additional support from the US Embassy in Kenya.
This programme marks the tenth edition of OneBeat Abroad, an annual residency series bringing OneBeat to countries around the globe. OneBeat harnesses the power of creative collaboration as a pathway to civic discourse, economic growth, and cross-cultural understanding.
OneBeat Kenya is organised in collaboration with guest artistic director Nyokabi Kariũki, an accomplished Nairobi-based composer and researcher.
Key dates
Deadline: Applications are due by February 11, 2025 at 5pm EST.
Notification: Applicants will be notified of the review panel decision by May 1, 2025.
Programme: OneBeat 2025 will take place August 20, 2025 – September 8, 2025.
Contact: If you have questions, contact apply@1beat.org.
Interested artists are advised to read Frequently Asked Questions before beginning their application.
For more information about the programme, visit here.
