Reset. Recharge. Re-inspire. @ Cafe Tissardmine, Moroccan Sahara

Overview

Cafe Tissardmine offers three-week residencies for a maximum of nine artists in a remote village in the Moroccan Sahara. The residency is not project-based but provides a place for artists to recharge, share ideas, find peace, and be inspired. All disciplines are welcome. Artists have the opportunity to discover the richness of Amazigh culture, their way of life, cooking, and crafts. Internet access is not available daily, but artists can walk to "internet hill" or travel to town to catch up on emails.

Accommodation & Facilities

Single accommodation options include four adobe bedrooms around a central courtyard with en-suite bathrooms, and five detached adobe cabins with private bathrooms. A large studio (9m x 6m) with attached small room is available, along with other spaces for different types of work such as writing. Each room has a desk, and the garden offers multiple nooks for work and reflection.

What to Bring

You must bring everything needed for your work. Shopping in the area is limited with no artist supplies, print cartridges, film, or much paper. Better supplies are available in Marrakech and Fes. The organizers can provide advice on sourcing special requirements.

Key Dates

• Application deadline: August 31, 2026
• Residency starts: October 15, 2026
• Residency ends: November 6, 2026
• Factor in up to two days travel time to reach the location

Fees & Support

A three-week residency with full board costs 950 Euro plus tax. The organizers are happy to provide a letter of support if you are applying for funding assistance.

Expectations & End-of-Residency Event

You must be self-motivated and resourceful. Engagement with the village community is encouraged, even informally. An end-of-residency event is organized for artists to show works in progress, however applicable—this is not obligatory. In the past, some artists have set puzzles, games, or cooked meals as their contribution.

Application Requirements

Send your CV, short biography, examples of your work, and a statement no longer than one A4 page explaining why you want to come to Cafe Tissardmine, what your expectations are, and what you hope to achieve. Selection is based primarily on your reasons for coming and your understanding of the place, not on your art. Priority is given to those who commit to the full three weeks. Responses typically come within the month, though some dialogue may be required.

Disciplines & Support

All disciplines are welcome, but research-based projects are not practical due to lack of reliable internet. The organizers prefer a mix of disciplines. They have previously made pottery wheels, built kilns, and created artworks with local artisans to help realize projects. "Everything is possible, nothing is certain."