Casablanca, Morocco

Why Casablanca for an artist residency?

Casablanca is Morocco’s commercial heart and one of its most active contemporary art hubs. It’s where you feel the push and pull between business, architecture, design, and visual art on a daily basis. If you want your work to sit in conversation with urban change, migration, class, modernism, or port-city culture, this city gives you a dense, layered backdrop.

Compared with more tourist-facing cities, Casablanca can feel a bit tougher on the surface, but that can work in your favor. The galleries and cultural spaces here are often more focused on contemporary practice, collectors, and institutional connections rather than souvenir culture. You get access to:

• contemporary galleries and curators
• crossovers with design, architecture, photography, and fashion
• a large local audience plus an international network passing through
• a living lab of postcolonial architecture, social contrasts, and coastal urban life

If your practice thrives on city research, visual overload, and real-time social questions, Casablanca is a strong residency base.

Key residencies in Casablanca

Casablanca has fewer residency programs than the total art energy might suggest, but the ones that exist are plugged into galleries and curatorial networks. That can matter more than sheer quantity.

African Arty – A/A Residency

Where: Casablanca, at African Arty’s gallery space
Website: africarty.com/artist-residency-casablanca
Contact: jagannat@africarty.com

A/A Residency is run by African Arty, a gallery that positions itself as a connector for contemporary African and diaspora voices. The residency is explicitly artist-focused and supports both local and international artists.

What you get

• Studio space inside the gallery premises
• A structured period to research and produce new work
• A final solo or group exhibition at the gallery
• Support around marketing, communications, and digital visibility
• Networking opportunities through the gallery’s existing community

The program emphasizes a communal atmosphere: shared learning, collaboration where it makes sense, and exchange between residents and local artists. You’re not just dropped into a studio and left alone; the idea is to plug you into an existing ecosystem.

Who it suits

• Artists who want a gallery-connected residency rather than an isolated retreat
• Artists keen to finish with a concrete exhibition outcome
• People comfortable working in a shared, community-driven environment
• Artists looking to expand networks in North and West African contemporary art

Practical notes

• Accommodation is described as off-site, so confirm if housing is included or if you must arrange your own place nearby.
• Applications are by email: a portfolio with CV, recent work samples, and the dates you’d like to attend.
• Fees, stipends, or housing details are not clearly listed, so ask direct questions about costs and what’s covered.

Tips for making the most of it

• Think of this residency as both studio time and a mini professional development program. Ask for introductions to curators, collectors, and writers.
• Plan a project that can realistically reach exhibition stage within the residency period, including production and installation.
• Use the gallery’s communications support: prepare strong documentation, text, and a concise artist statement before you go.

Yasmine Laraqui Studio Residency

Where: Casablanca (studio-hosted residency)
Found via: opportunity platforms like ArtConnect and similar listings

Yasmine Laraqui Studio offers a residency that is more research-oriented and self-directed. It tends to sit between a traditional residency and a long, supported studio visit.

What you get

• Residency duration of around 1–3 months
• Accommodation in Casablanca
• Studio access
• Curatorial support and mentoring
• A final exhibition or public presentation

The program welcomes multiple disciplines: visual arts, photography, installation, multimedia, research-based practices, and conceptual work. It is a good option if your project needs time for city research, conversations, and slower production rather than a quick turnaround.

Cost structure

• Participation fee is listed as about 1000 € per month.
• This typically includes housing, studio, curatorial support, and final presentation.
• You cover your own travel, materials, daily expenses, and any additional production costs.

Who it suits

• Artists who can self-fund and want a structured yet flexible residency
• Practices that benefit from city-based research: social, political, or tech-driven work
• Artists looking for close conversation with a curator or studio lead
• People who want a clear framework but freedom in day-to-day rhythms

How to approach it

• Arrive with a clear research question or project focus connected to Casablanca’s context (architecture, migration, urbanization, media culture, etc.).
• Budget realistically, including materials and any potential fabrication or printing.
• Ask how public the final presentation typically is and who attends (curators, collectors, local artists).

Casablanca life: cost, neighborhoods, and working conditions

A residency only works if your daily life is manageable. Casablanca can be more expensive than other Moroccan cities, especially in central and coastal areas, but still under many Western capitals.

Cost of living for artists

Key cost categories to plan for:

• Rent and housing: Short-term, furnished apartments or rooms in central neighborhoods can be your biggest expense if it’s not included in the residency fee.
• Food: Eating at local cafés, street stalls, and neighborhood restaurants can be reasonably priced; imported or niche products cost more.
• Transport: Taxis and trams are generally affordable; frequent rides still add up, so factor in studio–home and home–gallery trips.
• Art materials: Basic supplies are easier to find than specialized materials; large-scale or unusual fabrication might require creative solutions or sourcing from bigger suppliers.

Before confirming your residency, ask:

• Is housing included, and are utilities covered?
• Is the studio private, shared, or semi-public (inside a gallery or mixed-use space)?
• Are any materials, printing, or installation costs supported?
• Does the residency help with transport for heavy works or installation days?

Neighborhoods to know

Casablanca is spread out, so where you stay affects your daily rhythm and how easily you can access your studio, galleries, and community.

• Maarif – Central, commercial, full of cafés, shops, and services. Good for networking, errands, and being in the flow of city life.
• Gauthier – Popular with creatives and professionals. Plenty of cafés and restaurants, walkable zones, and convenient meeting spots.
• Sidi Maârouf – Business-heavy area, with newer housing and access to major roads. Convenient for some residency locations, but less characterful than older districts.
• Anfa / Ain Diab – Coastal, more upscale, with beach access and nightlife. Great if you need the sea as part of your daily decompression but typically more expensive.
• Old Medina / central historic areas – Dense, visually rich, and full of street life. Inspiring, but can be noisy and harder for predictable logistics.
• Habous / New Medina – Architecturally interesting with strong historical and visual references. Good for contextual and archival research, photography, and sketching.

If the residency does not house you, try to stay within reasonable travel time of your studio, especially if you’re working late or carrying materials. Many artists choose Maarif or Gauthier as a compromise between access, cost, and comfort.

Studios, galleries, and where to show up

Casablanca’s contemporary art ecosystem includes independent galleries, project spaces, and studio platforms. It’s less about mega institutions and more about tightly connected networks.

Key nodes mentioned in residency contexts include:

• African Arty – Gallery and residency host; a good entry point to artists, curators, and collectors interested in African and diasporic work.
• Yasmine Laraqui Studio – Residency and research space connected to curatorial practice.

Beyond those, you’ll find additional galleries and project spaces across central neighborhoods. A practical approach:

• Search for contemporary galleries and spaces in areas like Maarif and Gauthier.
• Use Instagram as your real-time guide to openings, pop-ups, and off-site projects.
• Ask your residency host for an up-to-date list of spaces to visit and people to meet.

Transport, visas, and timing your residency

Getting around the city

Movement shapes your day more than you think, especially if you’re carrying work or equipment.

• Tramway: A reliable way to cross key districts. Useful for predictable commutes if your studio or housing is near a stop.
• Petit taxis: Common for short urban trips. Clarify the meter or fare before you start, especially when carrying artwork.
• Ride-hailing apps: Widely used in major Moroccan cities. Helpful for late-night returns or when you’re transporting fragile work.
• Trains: Casablanca is a major rail hub, making trips to Rabat, Marrakech, and other cities simple for short breaks or research days.

Basic strategy for artists:

• Get a local SIM or eSIM to keep maps and ride apps working smoothly.
• Allow extra time for congestion, especially at rush hours.
• For large or delicate pieces, plan transport in advance and consider vehicles with trunk space.
• Ask your residency if they can recommend a trusted driver or company for installation days.

Visa basics

Visa requirements depend entirely on your passport. Many artists can enter Morocco on a visa-free basis for short stays, others need to apply in advance. Because rules and lists change, always check official sources.

Before committing to a residency, clarify:

• What kind of entry most artists use (tourist visa, visa exemption, or other)
• Whether the residency provides an official invitation letter or support documents
• How long you’re allowed to stay on a single entry and whether that covers your residency period
• Whether receiving a stipend has any implications for your status

For accurate information, combine:

• Your local Moroccan consulate or embassy website
• Official Moroccan government sources
• Your airline’s travel information
• Specific guidance from residency staff

When to be in Casablanca

Casablanca’s coastal climate stays relatively moderate, but some seasons are more comfortable for intensive work and city research.

• Spring and autumn: Usually the most pleasant overall, ideal for walking, photographing, and installing work.
• Summer: Can be warm, but often less extreme than inland cities; the Atlantic can make a difference, though heat and sun still affect daily working hours.
• Winter: Generally mild, with some damp and wind; studios and older apartments can feel cooler than the outdoor temperature suggests.

When you schedule your residency, consider how weather will interact with your practice. Outdoor shooting, field research, performance, and large installations are often easier in transitional seasons.

For applications, a safe rule is to plan several months ahead. Programs with exhibitions or complex production timelines need lead time for selection, planning, and logistics.

Community, events, and making the residency count

Local art community and how to connect

Casablanca’s art circles are active but not always centralized. You’ll find visual artists, designers, photographers, writers, and musicians overlapping across galleries, studios, and cafés.

Good ways to connect:

• Attend gallery openings and exhibition events regularly, not just your own.
• Follow local galleries and artists on Instagram and check stories for last-minute events.
• Ask residency hosts to introduce you to artists they think align with your work.
• Spend time in cafés and shared workspaces where creative people tend to meet.

African Arty, in particular, highlights workshops, screenings, talks, and youth-focused art activities. This kind of programming can be a gateway to a wider circle of collaborators, especially if you want to work relationally or socially.

Events and open studios

Formal open-studio programs shift from year to year, but some recurring patterns help you stay in the loop:

• Residency final shows or presentations
• Gallery seasons with clustered openings
• Workshops and talks tied to new exhibitions
• Collaborations with schools, cultural centers, or foundations

Ask early in your residency calendar:

• Are there group exhibitions, festivals, or city-wide art days scheduled while you’re there?
• Is it common or possible to host an open studio at your space?
• Does the residency promote such events or help with invitations and communication?

Networking strategy for your residency

Your time in Casablanca is short, so it helps to approach it as both a project and a relationship-building residency.

• Week 1–2: Map the scene. Visit galleries, note who is showing what, and introduce yourself briefly.
• Week 3–4: Deepen a few connections rather than trying to meet everyone. Propose studio visits or coffee with artists and curators you genuinely resonate with.
• Final phase: Use your exhibition or presentation as a reason to invite people back and open conversations about future collaborations.

Ask your residency host to help with:

• Targeted introductions to local practitioners and fabricators
• Advice on where to print, frame, or source specific materials
• Contacts for documentation (photographers, videographers)

Choosing between Casablanca residencies

Both main Casablanca programs share some DNA but serve slightly different needs.

African Arty – A/A Residency

• Strong fit if your priority is gallery exposure and a public exhibition.
• Good for artists ready to show new work in a short to medium timeframe.
• Community-focused, with active support around visibility and networking.
• Clarify housing, costs, and what kind of production support is realistic.

Yasmine Laraqui Studio Residency

• Strong fit if you want a research-led, curated, and self-directed residency.
• You pay a monthly fee but get housing, studio, curatorial input, and a presentation.
• Well-suited to artists who want time to think, read, walk the city, and build a project progressively.
• Budget carefully and ask about typical audiences for final presentations.

If funding is a concern, consider pairing a Casablanca residency with grants from your home country or regional cultural institutes. Many artists secure support through national arts councils, foundations, or mobility funds to cover travel and fees.

Using Casablanca as a longer-term base

Residencies here can be more than a one-off experience. If you build the right relationships, Casablanca can become a recurring base for projects across Morocco and the wider region.

During your stay, keep a running list of:

• Artists and curators you might invite into future collaborations or group shows
• Fabricators, printers, and technicians you’d work with again
• Neighborhoods, archives, or sites you want to revisit for future research
• Platforms that could support a return visit or longer-term project

The residency itself may last a month or two, but the network, references, and visual memory you build in Casablanca can keep feeding your practice long after you’ve left.