Casablanca, Morocco

Why Casablanca works for residencies

Casablanca is not a quiet retreat. It’s a big, layered, slightly chaotic city that rewards artists who want direct contact with urban life, architecture, and contemporary culture. If you’re looking to disappear into nature, choose another Moroccan city. If you want concrete, port cranes, Art Deco facades, and shifting neighborhoods as your studio backdrop, this is your place.

Three things make Casablanca especially useful for residency time:

• A dense visual environment: Art Deco and modernist buildings, industrial zones, port infrastructure, tram lines, construction sites, billboards, street markets. It’s ideal for photography, site-specific work, public art, and research-based practices that feed off the city.
• Active art ecosystem: There are more galleries, artist-run initiatives, and independent curators here than in many other Moroccan cities. You’re not creating in a vacuum; you can plug into openings, talks, and studio visits.
• Cross-cultural energy: Casablanca is a meeting point between Arabic, Amazigh, Francophone, and international influences. The mix of languages and audiences can push your work to think about translation, access, and multiple publics.

Think of a Casablanca residency as a period for immersive urban production and research rather than isolation. The city pushes you to respond to its pace and complexity.

Key residencies in Casablanca

Casablanca doesn’t have hundreds of long-running residencies, but it does have a handful of focused programs, plus lots of “informal” opportunities connected to galleries and studios. Here are the main structured options to know about.

A/A Residency at African Arty

Location: African Arty gallery, Casablanca
Type: Local and international residency
Studio: Approx. 60 m² studio inside the gallery
Accommodation: Off-site housing included

African Arty runs the A/A Residency inside its large gallery space in Casablanca. The residency studio is embedded in an active exhibition hub that also hosts workshops, screenings, talks, and events. You’re not hidden away; you’re literally working where the audience circulates.

What you get

• Dedicated studio space inside the gallery building
• Off-site accommodation arranged by the program
• Support from the gallery team in marketing, communications, and digital visibility
• Networking opportunities with artists, curators, and collectors who pass through the space
• A communal environment, with a strong emphasis on knowledge-sharing and collaboration
• A final solo or group exhibition at African Arty showcasing the residency work

Who it suits

• Visual artists who want a clear exhibition outcome
• Artists excited by studio time inside a gallery structure rather than a quiet retreat
• Practices that benefit from visibility: painting, photography, installation, mixed media, but also socially engaged or urban-focused projects

How to approach the application

To express interest, the gallery asks you to email an application including:

• Portfolio and CV
• Recent works and a short overview of your practice
• Preferred dates
• A clear expression of interest or short statement

Send to: jagannat@africarty.com

When you write, be specific about why you want a gallery-integrated residency. Propose something that can reasonably lead to an exhibition or public program: a new series, site-responsive work linked to Casablanca, or a focused body of research that produces presentable outcomes.

Why artists pick A/A

African Arty is a known player in Casablanca’s contemporary art scene. Working inside their space means you’re automatically on the radar of local curators, collectors, and other artists. If you’re trying to build a presence in North African and francophone art networks, this residency lines you up with the right people quickly.

Yasmine Laraqui Studio Residency (Mers Sultan)

Location: Mers Sultan, Casablanca
Type: Research and production residency
Duration: Approx. 1–3 months
Disciplines: Visual arts, installation, photography, multimedia, research-based practice
Accommodation: Yes
Studio: Yes
Fee: Self-funded, around €1000 per artist / month (covering housing, studio, curatorial support, and final presentation)

The Yasmine Laraqui Studio Residency is built for artists who want a structured context and curatorial conversation. You live and work in Casablanca, with a clear research or production focus, and end with an exhibition or public presentation at the studio.

What you get

• Accommodation in Casablanca
• Studio/workspace within the Yasmine Laraqui Studio
• Curatorial support throughout your residency
• An end-of-residency exhibition, open studio, or public presentation
• Opportunities to connect with local artists, curators, and cultural spaces

What the residency is good for

• Research-heavy projects that need time in the city: photography series, urban studies, social practice, or archival work
• Artists who value ongoing feedback and dialogue around their process
• Practices that need both desk and studio space

Budget check

This residency is self-funded. The fee covers basics (housing, studio, curatorial support, and final event), but you still need a budget for daily living, production, materials, and local transport. For many artists, the key question is: does the combination of curatorial input and presentation opportunity justify the fee compared to organizing an independent stay?

Application tips

Applications typically ask for:

• Short artist bio or CV
• Portfolio or links to recent work
• Brief project proposal or research statement
• Preferred residency dates

Keep the proposal short, but concrete. Explain how Casablanca (not just “Morocco”) is essential to the project: maybe due to architecture, social dynamics, or a specific community or archive you want to engage.

Ultra Laboratory

Location: Central Casablanca
Type: Small-scale residency for artists and curators
Duration: Around 1–3 months
Cohort size: Very small, roughly 2–4 participants per year

Ultra Laboratory runs a selective, intimate residency that offers live/work space in central Casablanca for artists and curators with a defined project proposal. The focus is on research, experimentation, and process, often culminating in some kind of public presentation.

What you get

• Live/work setup in central Casablanca
• Close curatorial attention and dialogue
• Support to develop a specific project or research question
• Final presentation in a diffusion space or public context

Who this is for

• Artists and curators with a clear, developed project in mind
• Practitioners who thrive in small cohorts and intensive critical conversation
• Those working in research-based, conceptual, or site-responsive ways

Why it feels different

Because the program is small, you can expect a more personalized experience than in larger institutional residencies. Think fewer social events, more focused mentorship and discussion. This suits artists who want depth over volume.

Informal and project-based stays

Beyond formal residencies, Casablanca offers plenty of short-term, project-based opportunities:

• Short stays coordinated directly with galleries or curators
• Self-organized live/work arrangements combined with studio rentals
• Invitations to join group shows, research projects, or workshops as a visiting artist

Because the city’s scene is heavily networked, once you’re on the ground and visible at events, doors tend to open. A formal residency can be your entry point, or you can treat the city as a base and build relationships yourself over a few months.

Where to stay and work: neighborhoods for artists

Casablanca’s neighborhoods each have a distinct mood. Where you stay will shape your project just as much as your residency choice. If your host doesn’t provide accommodation, these areas are useful starting points.

Mers Sultan

Mers Sultan is residential, central, and relatively accessible, with everyday shops, cafés, and small businesses. It’s also where the Yasmine Laraqui Studio is based. You get a balanced setting: local life, decent access to the tram and taxis, and not as high-priced as some luxury areas.

Good for:

• Artists who like to walk and observe daily life
• Fieldwork on housing, small commerce, and street rhythms
• Having a quieter base while still being near key art spaces

Gauthier

Gauthier is one of Casablanca’s gallery-dense areas, with cafés, boutiques, and design-forward spaces. It has a more polished feel and attracts artists, curators, and international visitors.

Good for:

• Being close to openings and gallery events
• Meeting curators and collectors over coffee
• Artists who want a central, easy-to-navigate base

Maarif

Maarif is busy and commercial, full of shops and services. It’s practical more than picturesque, but that also makes it useful for production work: you can find printers, tech shops, materials, and food options easily.

Good for:

• Artists needing quick access to everyday supplies
• Projects that focus on consumption, advertising, or street commerce
• Those who don’t mind noise in exchange for convenience

Anfa / Racine

These are more upscale central zones with higher-end apartments, cafés, and some gallery presence. The architecture is often modern or modernist, with some pockets of Art Deco and older buildings.

Good for:

• Artists with a higher housing budget
• Projects looking at class, real estate, and contemporary urban lifestyles
• Living close to certain galleries and cultural spaces

Old Medina and city center

The historic center and nearby zones offer smaller streets, older buildings, and intense street life. Housing quality varies a lot, but visually and sonically it’s rich material for research.

Good for:

• Photography and video on daily life and informal economies
• Research on heritage, preservation, and change
• Artists who can handle noise and density

Money, logistics, and daily life

Residency life is not just studio time. The practical details can make or break your experience. Here are the basics to keep in mind.

Cost of living and budgeting

Casablanca is generally pricier than many other Moroccan cities but often cheaper than major European or North American hubs. Your main costs will be:

• Accommodation: Often the biggest expense if not included in your residency fee. Furnished short-term rentals in central neighborhoods cost more.
• Food: Local markets and neighborhood eateries are affordable; international or specialty food adds up quickly.
• Transport: Tram and taxis are relatively inexpensive. Daily commuting is manageable if your studio and home are in the same general area.
• Materials and production: Local basics can be reasonable, but imported art materials, tech, and specialty items can be expensive. Many artists bring key tools (specific paints, film, hard drives) and source bulky items locally.

If your residency is self-funded, map out a realistic budget before you apply. Add a buffer for unexpected print runs, last-minute framing, taxi-heavy days, and exhibition costs.

Getting around

Movement shapes how you use the city as a studio. A rough map of your daily transport options:

• Tramway: A reliable way to cross significant parts of the city and dodge some traffic. Useful if your residency, housing, and usual haunts are on the line.
• Petits taxis: The small red taxis are everywhere and good for short to medium rides. Agree on the meter or fare before or as you start moving.
• Buses: Extensive but not always intuitive for new arrivals. Better once you know the city.
• Trains: Casablanca is a rail hub. Easy access to Rabat, Marrakech, Tangier, and other cities if your project extends beyond Casablanca.

Practical tip: When you choose housing, prioritize a short commute to your studio and reliable tram or taxi access. Traffic can be heavy, and long daily commutes drain energy you could put into your work.

Visas and paperwork

Visa requirements shift depending on nationality. Many artists can enter Morocco visa-free for short stays, but the safest move is always to check official Moroccan government sources or your local Moroccan consulate before you travel.

To make residency travel smoother, ask your host organization to provide:

• A formal invitation letter with your full name and dates
• Confirmation of accommodation (address and contact)
• Program description outlining what you’ll be doing
• A contact person in Casablanca

Carry printed copies when you travel, along with a passport that’s valid for the required period and proof of onward travel if your country’s rules ask for it.

Plugging into the local art scene

Casablanca’s art world is active but not always centralized. You plug into it by showing up consistently and staying curious. A few ways to make your residency count socially and professionally:

Events and spaces to look for

• Gallery openings: These are often the best networking moments. Keep an eye on Instagram accounts of galleries and residencies for opening dates.
• Talks and screenings: African Arty and other spaces host talks, workshops, and film nights where you can meet artists and curators informally.
• Open studios: If your residency offers one, treat it as a conversation tool, not just a display. Ask visitors questions, not only the other way around.
• Cultural centers and institutes: Some events are hosted by cultural centers connected to foreign institutes or universities. These can introduce you to broader networks.

What kinds of practices resonate in Casablanca

You’ll see a wide range of work, but certain approaches tend to connect strongly with the city and its audiences:

• Photography and video focusing on urban life, architecture, and social change
• Painting and installation that speak to contemporary Moroccan subject matter or broader regional questions
• Socially engaged projects that involve local communities or address shared concerns
• Architecture and urbanism-based work that reacts to the city’s fast-changing built environment
• Research-based and archival practices that uncover and reinterpret local histories

Staying connected after the residency

Casablanca works well as an ongoing base, even if you’re only there a short time:

• Keep in touch with curators and artists via email and social media.
• Share documentation of your residency project with your host and collaborators; many will re-share it, which builds visibility.
• Use your residency exhibition or presentation as a portfolio piece for future opportunities in Morocco and the region.

Choosing the right residency for you

When you compare programs in Casablanca, think less about which is “better” and more about which is aligned with how you actually work.

• If you want gallery integration and clear public outcomes: A/A Residency at African Arty makes sense. You’re embedded in a gallery, with an exhibition as a core outcome.
• If you want structured research, curatorial feedback, and a defined presentation: The Yasmine Laraqui Studio Residency is designed for that, especially for research-based or interdisciplinary practices.
• If you want a small, highly focused, project-driven environment: Ultra Laboratory offers a more intimate live/work setting, with close critical conversation.
• If you’re self-organizing: Use Casablanca as a base city. Combine short-term rentals, local studio spaces, and informal collaborations with galleries or artist-run spaces.

Casablanca rewards artists who come with a clear intention but stay open to how the city will re-shape the work. Set your framework, find the residency that supports it, and let the city’s texture do the rest.