Is UBUNTU! Decolonial Arts Centre a ‘luxury’ retreat?

UBUNTU! Decolonial Arts Centre is a holistic nature-based retreat. Located in the mountain jungles of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, the centre’s biodiversity is dynamic and powerful. There are geckos, mosquitos, butterflies and bugs. At night howler monkeys can be heard; by day the jungle comes alive with all the sounds of the forest. The beach is a ten-minute walk down the hill, nearby vibrant Old Harbour. If you are uncomfortable in nature, then this retreat is not suitable for you.

What programs do the UBUNTU! Decolonial Arts Centre offer?

The centre offers the following foundation courses online: I am my Black Joy for Black womxn and non-binary creatives, Decolonial Frameworks Program for Black artists-activist-educators, Self-Transformation Through Reindigenisation for Global Majority practitioners, and Decolonising My Self/Decolonising My Practice for white practitioners. Contact us to discuss fees and receive more info.

The centre offers the following in-person residencies: Biomyth Monodrama Residency (1-3 weeks long), One-to-One Arts Residency (1-3 weeks long), Cohort Arts Residency (1-3 weeks long), Anitafrika Method Teacher-Training Residency (1 year long). Contact us to discuss fees and longer retreats at the centre.

Can I spend time at the centre without participating in a residency?

Yes, you can visit the centre anytime without enrolling in a residency by booking Ubuntu! Jungle Cottage through Airbnb.

Are there grants available that I can apply for to participate in a residency?

See the Grants section (in the main menu) for an ongoing list of programs that practitioners can apply to, to fund residencies. Currently, the list has grants available in Canada and England. Please inform us of any other grants that you are aware of globally.

Do you provide Residency Confirmation Letters that can be used to support a practitioner’s grant application?

Yes, once we have received and accepted your application and you have paid the non-refundable program deposit ($500USD for residencies and $1000USD for teacher-training) you will be provided with a letter to include in grant applications.

Are there scholarships available to cover the cost of a residency?

UBUNTU! Decolonial Arts Centre offers an ongoing scholarship program for individual practitioners.

Does UBUNTU! Decolonial Arts Centre receive government or corporate funding for any of its programs?

No, we do not receive any government or corporate funding for any of its programs. The decolonial Arts Centre is the brainchild of d’bi.young anitafrika who funds the project independently as well as through contributions from the community. You can support the centre through its Go Fund Me campaign.

How do I apply for a residency?

Use the Contact Us link to let us know that you are interested in applying for a residency and we will forward you the Artist Questionnaire.

How frequent are cohort residencies?

Cohort residencies are organised by individuals and groups who wish to experience a residency together. Contact the centre for more info on hosting a cohort residency of 2-12 practitioners.

How frequent are one-to-one residencies?

One-to-One residencies occur monthly. Residency dates are arranged between the practitioner and d’bi.young anitafrika.

Do residencies provide Black sign language interpretation?

No, there is currently no Black sign language interpretation. We are in the process of developing a residency for deaf practitioners.

What is the physical terrain of the residency?

The UBUNTU! Decolonial Arts Centre is located in the hills of Puerto Viejo town. The terrain requires practitioners to move up and down hilly paths. This may be challenging for folks with different mobilities. We have an alternate location in Puerto Viejo town to support practitioners.

Can anyone participate in a residency?

The Residency Scholarship Program is open to Black, Indigenous and other Global Majority artists. All other residencies are open to everyone.

Can collectives (2 or more people), theatre companies, schools and other kinds of institutions book private residencies?

Yes, collectives (2 or more people), theatre companies, schools and other kinds of institutions can book private residencies. Please contact us to discuss the details. Residency prices vary for private bookings.

Do I need to pay a deposit to secure my space in a residency?

Yes, there is a $500USD non-refundable deposit to secure your space in a cohort or one-to-one residency and a $1000USD non-refundable deposit to secure your space in a teacher-training residency. This goes towards your overall residency fee.

What happens if I am unable to participate in a residency that I have already paid for in full?

Residency fees are usable for up to one year after the originally scheduled residency. If you miss your residency, you can attend another one in the future. An additional $500USD deposit will be required for postponing with less than 21-days notice.

Are payment plans available to cover the residency fee?

Yes, payment plans are available to cover residency fees. Monthly instalments can be paid leading up to full payment by four weeks prior to the start of each residency.

Questions Concerning The Anitafrika Method Year-Long Teacher Training Program

Is there a pre-requisite for the Anitafrika Method Teacher Training Residency?

In order to enrol in the Anitafrika Method Teacher Training, practitioners need to have successfully completed a foundation course online or an arts residency in-person.

What are the theoretical and methodological frameworks in the different modules of the Anitafrika Method Teacher Training?

Frameworks include but are not limited to Ubuntu & Sankofa Philosophy, Critical Race Theory, Black Feminist Thought & Intersectionality, Queer Theory, Becoming, Decolonial Trauma Theory, Decolonial Performance Autoethnography, Transformational Justice, and Polyvagal Theory.

Can the Anitafrika Method be utilised in post-graduate studies (MA & PhD) as a decolonial methodology?

Yes. The Anitafrika Method is a Black queer feminist framework that can be utilised as a decolonial methodology in post-graduate research.

Are One-to-One residencies included in the teacher training course fee?

All course-related training is included in the teacher-training fee, including one-to-ones.

Can I teach the Anitafrika Method in public or private during my year-long program?

No. Certification in the Anitafrika Method entitles the practitioner to teach the method to others, however, it does not entitle the practitioner to train others to teach the method. Teachers of the Anitafrika Method train exclusively through the Anitafrika Method Teacher Training program offered by UBUNTU! Decolonial Arts Centre.

Can I train other practitioners to teach the Anitafrika Method, once I have been certified?

No. Certification in the Anitafrika Method entitles the practitioner to teach the method to others, however, it does not entitle the practitioner to train others to teach the method. Teachers of the Anitafrika Method train exclusively through the Anitafrika Method Teacher Training program offered by UBUNTU! Decolonial Arts Centre.

Do I co-own the intellectual property rights to the Anitafrika Method, once I complete my training and receive certification?

No. Attaining certification in the Anitafrika Method does not lead to co-ownership, in whole or in part, of the Anitafrika Method intellectual property rights.

Can the essays produced during the teacher-in-training residency, be published by the practitioner?

Yes, practitioners retain 100% copyright of their works created during the residency. They have the option to publish their writings.

Who will own the copyrights to that material?

All copyright to materials written by the practitioner belongs to the practitioner (including published material with the press).

Are the accommodation and food expenses for the practical assignments (curating and facilitating residencies) on-site in Costa Rica included in the fee?

Yes, accommodation and food (self-prep) are included in all residential intensives.

What is the process of the certificate renewal for an Anitafrika Method Teacher?

Every 3 years, Anitafrika Method teachers are required to renew their teacher-training certificate by participating in a week-long Teacher Training update residency.