The 14th edition of the Abidjan Market for Performing Arts (MASA) will take place from April 11 to 18, 2026, in Abidjan.
Artistic creations meeting the following conditions are eligible for the official selection: The show must be performable indoors or in public spaces.
To participate in the MASA Market
– Be an African company or artist, or from the African diaspora.
– Present a show less than 3 years old that has never been programmed at MASA.
NB : Only African artists and companies or those from the African diaspora can apply to the MASA Market.
To participate in the MASA Festival
– Present a show less than 3 years old, never before presented at MASA.
NB : The MASA Festival is open exclusively to non-African artists and companies.
Eligible performance categories :
Circus, Puppetry, Storytelling, Dance (urban, contemporary, traditional), Comedy, Music, Slam poet-ry, Theatre, Young audience (all disciplines), Street arts.
Maximum group size per discipline (including crew and manager):
– Comedy, slam poetry, storytelling: 3 people.
– Dance, music, circus, puppetry, theatre: 8 people.
The application file must include :
1- A short presentation of the creation (max 10 lines).
2- Three high-definition stage photos.
3- A biography of the artist or company with key works highlighted. 4- A teaser video (5 to 7 minutes).
5- A full video recording of the show.
6- A technical sheet specifying :
– Stage dimensions;
– Lighting setup;
– Number of performers;
– Setup and takedown duration;
– Weight and volume of sets/props;
– Cost of the performance.
7- A cast list including :
– Email and phone number of the group’s contact person;
– Departure city (only one per group);
– List of all members and their roles;
– Name of the stage manager or technical contact.
How to apply : Applications must be submitted online through the official MASA website: www.masa.ci. Deadline: August 31, 2025.
Results announcement : The list of selected groups will be published no later than 16 December 16, 2025.
For additional information : MASA Marché : candidatures@masa-ci.org. MASA Festival : candidatures.festival@masa-ci.org
NB
- All members of the group must travel to and from Abidjan from the same city, to be specified in the application form..
- Sets and props must be light, compact, and suitable for transport on regular flights.
- MASA reserves the right to propose alternative technical arrangements.
- Submitted materials remain MASA’s property and will not be used for commercial purposes.
- Applications submitted outside this process will not be considered.
The MASA is a cultural platform for promoting African Performing Arts. Its main objectives are : To Support creativity and good quality productions, To facilitate the movement of artists and their works within Africa and throughout the world, To train artists and key professionals in the production field, To promote African Performing Arts.
Comments(19)
Lepantsula says
1 mai 2025 at 16 h 11 minHi. My name is Lepantsula from South Africa. We are interested to showcasing our new dance production on your stage, however we need clarity: (1) the Market and the Festival are two different events? (2) if our group has more than 8 people, can you still accommodate us where we apply for 8 with you and get funding for the rest elsewhere (production team of 15 people, including performers, technical and management)?
The following is from your form, thus our confusion re Market and Festival.
To participate in the MASA Festival
– Present a show less than 3 years old, never before presented at MASA.
NB : The MASA Festival is open exclusively to non-African artists and companies.
admin says
11 août 2025 at 11 h 49 minHello Lepantsula,
Thank you for your interest in presenting your new dance production at MASA 2026 and for your questions.
To clarify:
1. The MASA Market and MASA Festival are indeed two distinct events. The Market is mainly intended for African and African-origin artists to showcase their work to professionals, while the Festival is exclusively open to non-African artists and companies and offers public performances in Abidjan.
2. Regarding your group size, the MASA Market generally allows a maximum delegation of 8 people due to logistical and technical constraints. If your team has more than 8 members, you can apply for these 8 participants and seek additional funding elsewhere for the rest of your team (performers, technical staff, management). Official MASA support will only cover the 8 participants registered on the platform.
Please feel free to consult the official MASA website for more details or contact me if you would like assistance with your application process.
We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to MASA 2026!
Best regards,
Bouakari Sidiki KONE says
15 mai 2025 at 12 h 49 minParticipation à l’appel à participation au MASA 14.
Bylal says
18 mai 2025 at 4 h 41 minI liked of opportunity be will one opportunity to adquire experience cultural for all African..
Thank you so much Masa festival for opportunity
Angels Jumoke Oke says
2 juillet 2025 at 7 h 04 minOutstanding. I am interested. Welldone
Bongani Ngcobo says
7 juillet 2025 at 6 h 47 minWe are willing to participate in your festival, We are Indabuko Yethu Arts Foundation. We are doing African music using indigenous instruments and dancers.
admin says
11 août 2025 at 12 h 21 minHello,
Thank you for your interest in participating in our festival. We are delighted to learn that Indabuko Yethu Arts Foundation wishes to present African music using traditional instruments and dancers.
To better assist you, please feel free to review the participation criteria and submit your application through the official MASA platform.
Ramiza Majoni says
9 juillet 2025 at 14 h 29 minCan exhibitors come and exhibit arts and crafts for their cultures
Zandile says
10 juillet 2025 at 2 h 14 minGreetings am asking for the guidelines, application form and Mass festival registration.
Regards.
Moeketsi Koena says
10 juillet 2025 at 10 h 29 minThanks for the invitation, and hope I will be coming to the market
admin says
11 août 2025 at 11 h 38 minHello,
Thank you for your message! We would be delighted to welcome you to MASA 2026. Please feel free to apply through the official platform as soon as the registrations open.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Aurora Limburg says
16 juillet 2025 at 12 h 53 minDear Madam,
On behalf of Marco Vargas & Chloé Bûlé (flamenco contemporary dance company), I’d like to apply to the 2026 MASA. If mind kindly sending the link?
Thank you very much. All best, Aurora.
admin says
11 août 2025 at 11 h 34 minHello Aurora,
Thank you for your interest in participating in MASA 2026 with the company of Marco Vargas and Chloé Bûlé. To register and submit your application, it is important to use the official MASA platform.
https://www.en.masa.ci/masa-2026-call-for-application-for-artistic-groups
Looking forward to seeing you at MASA 2026!
ISAAC ESSEL says
17 juillet 2025 at 12 h 23 minI’m handling a Choral group and want to participate in the MASSA 2026
Bob Meijs says
20 juillet 2025 at 9 h 20 minAfrovibes Festival (Netherlands) is an annual contemporary performing arts festival with artists, choreographers, dansers from the African continent. In 2026 the focus on programming will get on West Africa. We will visit MASA 2026 to see work and meet artists!
admin says
11 août 2025 at 11 h 30 minHello,
Thank you very much for this wonderful initiative around African performing arts. We are delighted that MASA 2026 is at the heart of your programming, with a special focus on West Africa. It will be an excellent opportunity to discover new works and meet talented artists.
We wish you great success in preparing your festival and would be happy to discuss this further. Also, don’t forget to invite MASA so they can discover your event.
Looking forward,
Jacinto João António Mango says
22 juillet 2025 at 10 h 20 minSou Ator guineense de teatro, contador de histórias e realizador de Documentário
admin says
11 août 2025 at 11 h 23 minHello,
To participate in MASA, it is important that you complete your official registration. This will allow you to submit your projects and take part in the various festival activities.
Feel free to visit the official MASA website or ask me if you need any help with this process.
Looking forward to seeing you participate!