AOCA is open to the following project sponsors:

• African cultural institutions or structures based in Africa and carrying a project of creation, dissemination or organizing an event with a regional dimension on the African continent
• French cultural network abroad (cultural services of embassies, Instituts Français, Alliances Françaises, binational cultural centers)
   

AOCA concerns the following disciplines:

• visual arts
• digital creation
• photography
• music
• theater
• dance
• street arts/circus/puppetry

The types of projects supported:

AOCA supports projects with a regional dimension, i.e. involving several partners from different countries on the African continent (creation bringing together artists from different countries on the continent, touring and circulating exhibitions in several countries in Africa)

AOCA can support the following projects taking place between April and December 2026:

• Regional tours concerning projects by artists and companies based on the African continent and active in the various fields of live performance, music, circus and street arts. To qualify for support from the Institut Français, these tours must include at least 5 dates in a minimum of 3 African countries, and at least 3 dates must be organized in conjunction with a French Institute or Alliance Française
• The circulation of exhibitions presenting the work of artists based on the African continent and active in the various fields of the visual arts. To receive support from the Institut français, these circulations must include at least 3 stops in a minimum of 3 African countries and at least 3 activities must be organized in conjunction with a French Institute or Alliance française (exhibition, conference, training workshops, etc)
• Events (festivals, biennials, major cultural events) hosting a program of artists from several countries on the African continent (3 countries minimum)

• The création for projects bringing together artists from several countries on the African continent (3 countries minimum)

The commission can award grants of 3 types:

• From €5,000 to €8,000 for creation grants
• From €5,000 to €15,000 for regional tours
• From €5,000 to €15,000 for festivals
• Over €15,000 for biennials and major cultural events with a continental dimension (on exceptional allocation).

A selection committee will meet to award support in the form of grants that can cover up to 50% of the project's overall budget.

Particular attention will be paid to:

• Projects highlighting the young generations, emerging scenes and new artistic practices in the field of contemporary African creation.
• Projects promoting an eco-responsible approach in their implementation, which will propose a long time for each of their dates as part of tours for example (performance + meeting times + ancillary workshops + training, etc.).
• Projects attentive to gender issues: projects led by women cultural operators, projects highlighting women artists, or projects encouraging gender diversity and equality.

The selection committee will bring together several sector experts from the French Institute, as well as outside experts.
 

Contacts

• Director: Sophie Renaud
• Deputy Director: Francky Blandeau
• Pole Manager: François Tiger
• AOCA Project Manager: Mantchini Traoré
   

The projects selected for the AOCA 2025 Scheme

At the end of the selection commission held on February 11, 2025 , 34 projects will be eligible for support in 2025, including 13 regional tours.

The selection committee brought together several teams and sector experts from the Institut français, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture.

For this new edition, 285 applications were received, from 34 African countries. Entries covered all artistic disciplines.

Particular attention was paid:

• To projects highlighting young generations, emerging scenes and new artistic practices in the field of contemporary African creation.
• Projects attentive to gender issues: projects led by women cultural operators, projects highlighting women artists, or projects encouraging gender diversity and equality.
• Projects valuing an eco-responsible approach in their implementation.

The commission could award grants of 3 types:

• From €5,000 to €8,000 for creation grants
• From €5,000 to €20,000 for festivals and major events
• From €10,000 to €20,000 for regional tours

Among the34 projects designated as winnersby the commission:

• 24 are first-timers who have never received support from the Institut français.
• 41% are carried by women cultural operators.
• 26 countries from the African continent are represented.

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