Apply to Emergence

What is Rezidan?

“Moka Smart City supports the arts, and the arts transform the city”

Rezidan is back for a third season! This Moka Smart City initiative offers artistic residencies for both established and emerging talent and street exhibitions to develop public art in the area! 

Rezidan in numbers:

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Public Art

“Because our beautiful area is a source of inspiration”. 

Murals that reflect a philosophy and unite people around shared values; performances and exhibitions that highlight the unique beauty of Moka and celebrate the cultural heritage of the area. 

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Residencies

“An opportunity to think; a chance to break through”. 

Artistic residencies are an opportunity for artists performing a wide range of genres to grow from the encounter with leading figures in their respective disciplines. Visual and performing arts are part of the programme to allow fresh talent to emerge. New and confirmed artists as well as art collectives are invited to take part in the various residency programmes. 

Explore, inspire, create. We provide artists-in-residence with the required resources to connect, learn and go further in the pursuit of their respective disciplines. In return, these projects contribute to the city’s cultural life.

Emergence: Visual Arts Residencies

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Émergence is back following the success of  its previous 2 seasons to promote the development of new talent in the field of visual and contemporary arts. This incubator enables selected artists to participate in a residency that will give them the opportunity to deepen their practice. They will meet established artists and will be mentored by gallerists from the Imaaya Art Gallery. 

It is the perfect opportunity to find or reinvent yourself as an artist with the chance to exhibit your works upon completion of the programme! 

  • About IMAAYA Gallery

    IMAAYA was founded in 2008, driven by a deep-seated desire to showcase the artists and visual artists of Mauritius. The gallery displays and promotes on a daily basis works of art that reflect the geographical and cultural diversity of the country, thus emphasising the strength, quality and importance of Mauritian Art as an expression of the island’s character. All aspects of the current creative landscape have been selected, promoted and exhibited in a professional way. Backed by the energy and experience of seasoned artists and the ambitious vision of younger ones, it promises exciting prospects for the years ahead. Initially located at Pointe aux Canonniers, the gallery moved to Phoenix in 2015 to be closer to artists and the public. With some fifty exhibitions and a continued partnership with around thirty artists, we are more than ever convinced that there is still plenty to see, create and discover through the work of the country’s artists.

  • Eligibility

    • Anyone over the age of 18 can apply for this program, regardless of their experience and nationality.
    • Participants must be available for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
    • Artists in the field of visual arts: painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, and digital art.
    • Artist collectives can also apply. (Material budget remains at a maximum of Rs 20,000 for each collective)

  • The selected artists will receive

    • An individual furnished studio at les Kocottes in St Pierre for a defined period (6 to 12 weeks).
    • A maximum budget of Rs 20,000 for materials.
    • Mentorship by the gallerists of Imaaya, as well as by established artists working on projects in Moka.

  • Key dates

    • The deadline to send application is the 28 February 2025
    • Period of the first residency: 7 April  2025 to 23 May 2025.
    • Period of the second residency: 26 May 2025 to 11 July 2025.
    • Selected candidates will be informed on March 15, 2025.

  • Selection process

    A jury composed of Imaaya Gallery and Moka Smart City’s Arts and Culture teams will select artists based on their portfolio and statement of intent.

    Portfolio Content:

    • List of artistic projects you have participated in.
    • Your best creations.
    • Descriptions of your projects (optional).

Register now

Street Art

Since 2022, ten large-scale murals have been created in Moka during the Rezidan programme, transforming the city’s urban landscape. This year, the project returns with a new opportunity for Mauritian artists: breathing new life into the murals at the Helvétia and Vivéa bus stops, bringing fresh energy to Moka’s street art scene.

Our vision is to develop street art pieces that reflect the values of the local community and celebrate Moka’s cultural and natural heritage. More than just an artistic expression, these artworks aim to strengthen social bonds, reinvent the urban landscape, and bring new energy to public spaces, turning the city into a true hub of exchange and creativity.

  • Who can participate?

    Artists of all nationalities are welcome, whether they live in Mauritius or abroad. There is no age limit to apply. However, if you are under 18, you must submit a letter from your legal guardian authorising your participation in the project along with your application.

  • The selected artists will receive

    • A fee of Rs 30,000 per artist.
    • Paints, brushes, and other materials provided by Sofap.
    • Any additional materials not available from Sofap (e.g. buckets, floor protection sheets, etc.) must be provided by the artist.

  • Key dates

    • The application deadline is 7 March 2025.
    • The murals will be created during the weekend of 5–6 April 2025.
    • Selected candidates will be informed on 13 March 2025.

  • The bus stops

    Download the PDF with dimensions

  • Selection process

    Moka Smart City’s Arts & Culture team will select the artists based on their portfolio, sketches, and a description of their project.

    • Artists must submit an application including a portfolio, sketches, and a statement explaining their artistic approach.
    • The Arts & Culture team will review the proposals and select the chosen artists.
    • Once selected, artists must submit their final project, which will be validated before execution.

    There is no imposed theme; artists are free to express their creativity. However, particular attention will be given to proposals that resonate with Moka, its history, and the values of its community.

Register now

Artists' testimonials

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Laura Pang

"I truly enjoyed my residency experience: it allowed me to benefit from La Kocotte Artistique's excellent studio space to bring my project to life."

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Cendrine Bolaram

"Settling into the studio every day for a few months allowed me to further professionalize myself as an artist. This was the key element that led me to deeper reflection."

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Julien Oozeeraully

"What impacted me the most was meeting other local artists. It enriched me both personally and as an art enthusiast. In the end, a true friendship was formed through our artistic exchanges and shared experiences."

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Meekshuma Nayeck

"Being able to engage with artists from different disciplines, and even with curious passersby, further enriched our perspective on our artistic work."

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Discover the upcoming events in Moka
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Art Talks & Workshops These monthly gatherings are organized to give the public an opportunity to explore the world of artists through discussions and workshops focused on various themes.
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Street Art This project welcomed both emerging and established artists to beautify bus stops and other public spaces in the city of Moka through 10 original artworks.
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Mokassiens This photography residency brought together 4 photographers who exhibited their work outdoors in Telfair, celebrating the local residents and their history through their artworks.
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Emergence In partnership with the Imaaya Gallery, this visual arts residency welcomed 13 emerging artists. Their work was showcased in exhibitions at Les Kocottes and Vivéa Business Park.

Do you want to set up your cultural activity in Moka?

Rent a space at La Kocotte artistique or a commercial space

Here’s where it’s happening