U.S. Music Initiative touches down in Ghanaian art landscape

OneBeat, the acclaimed U.S.-based music exchange residency, has grown into a constellation of programs around the globe, now opening applications to artists in Ghana as “OneBeat Ghana”.

OneBeat Ghana is now accepting applications for socially engaged artist-entrepreneurs from Ghana, Nigeria and the U.S. (ages 19-35) to participate in an intensive 2-week residency. The Ghana-based program will convene 11-12 artists from all 3 countries to exchange and build strategies for stronger artist communities and creative economies in the region. Applications are due by July 14, 2023 5:00 PM EDT.

Fellows will participate in skill shares and discussions, creative exercises, and workshops led by guest artists while working to develop project proposals. In today’s rapidly shifting music industry, musicians need to function not simply as artists, but as creative entrepreneurs to succeed.

Musicians are asked to apply with specific project ideas to work on during the program. At the end of the residency, Fellows will be asked to develop a pitch or plan for the next steps of their projects, which will be presented in Accra.
OneBeat Ghana’s Artistic Director is OneBeat alumnus Poetra Asantewa, a poet, organizer and founder of the arts collective Black Girls Glow, based in Accra, Ghana. OneBeat Ghana serves as the pilot version of a new model of OneBeat Abroad exchange, focused on creative entrepreneurship and strategies to address issues faced by global musicians.

OneBeat Ghana is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, & produced by Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation with additional support from the U.S. Embassy in Ghana and the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria.

Interested artists can apply at the link below:

OneBeat Ghana Application Now Open