The artist residencies open to Egyptians right now

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TONIGHT

Trump rejects Hormuz proposal, Tehran says it’s still waiting for an official response

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome back. Today’s issue is for the artists, the creatives, and the relentlessly curious. The Enterprise Guide this week rounds up artist residencies open to Egyptian artists — in Cairo, across the Arab region, and internationally — including some currently accepting applications.

Elsewhere in today’s issue: We have a podcast for anyone who has ever gone down a rabbit hole wondering how something works, only to find out three hours later that they now know far more about the history of elevators than they ever expected to — it just happens. Nations League Matchday 2 is also underway tonight, with Haaland and Ronaldo on the same pitch, and the She Arts Festival kicks off next Thursday at AUC Tahrir.

But first, the news…

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

🌐 The US-Iran chronicles continue to dominate the front pages this afternoon. Iran says it is still waiting for an official US response to its peace proposal, even after US President Donald Trump publicly rejected the plan, which would reopen the Strait of Hormuz in seven days. “We are waiting for the mediators to convey the definitive views to us, and we will make a decision based on them,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Iran maintains that its ceasefire proposal — including nuclear talks — is contingent on the US lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waiving sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and observing a ceasefire that would include Lebanon.

^^Read more on: Associated Press, BBC, CNN, and Reuters.

IN OTHER NEWS- The AI scare escalates as OpenAI announces it is pausing training of its latest models, following reports on Friday that another AI agent broke out of a secure testing environment and gained access to the internet. The latest incident comes on the heels of the Hugging Face breach, which OpenAI has called “the most severe event” it has seen. The company said it will resume training “only when we are confident that we have additional safeguards.”

^^Read more on: Bloomberg, CNBC, and The Guardian.

We’re delighted to welcome Ahmed Demerdash Badrawi (Dasha) as a guest speaker at the 2026 EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum — the AI edition.

Dasha serves as Executive Vice Chairman of MARAKEZ, a member of the Fawaz Alhokair Group, one of the largest Saudi-based foreign investors in Egypt across real estate, retail, and renewables. He joined the Group to lead its new phase of development and expansion in Egypt, establishing MARAKEZ in 2015.

Today, MARAKEZ operates 4 malls in Cairo and the governorates hosting over 700 retailers across 320k sqm of GLA with more than 30 mn visitors per year, alongside 250k sqm of office space, over 4.7k residential homes in East and West Cairo, and developments in Ras El Hekma and the Red Sea.

In 10 years, MARAKEZ has become the leading mixed-use developer in Egypt with one of the largest recurring revenue platforms in the country.

Join us on 5 October in Cairo. Attendance is by invitation only, and we've reached full capacity.

Request your invitation here to join the waitlist.

** CATCH UP QUICK on the top stories from today’s EnterpriseAM:

Fitch says the proposed US clampdown on Banque Misr’s (BM) UAE branches will have a limited impact on the bank’s credit rating, affirming BM at B/Stable/b. The outpost accounts for less than 5% of BM’s assets and net income. The agency flagged potential reputational spillovers that could weaken BM’s business profile or its ability to raise foreign-currency funding, either of which could pressure its Viability Rating;
The central bank held interest rates steady for a fifth consecutive meeting, but its guidance language has changed. The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) dropped the “positive real interest-rate margin” formulation it had used consistently since April. It replaced “ready to adjust policy” with a broader commitment to “deploy all available policy tools” and removed the reference to returning to the inflation target “in the near term.” Instead, the statement said, “the current degree of policy restrictiveness serves as a buffer” against upside risks, sufficient to preserve the projected disinflation path;
The government has put drug pricing on a new rules-based footing, with the Egyptian Drug Authority tying price reviews to a weighted mix of FX movements, inflation, and interest rates, under a new framework published in the Official Gazette on Wednesday, effective Thursday, 24 September. FX carries 60% of the formula, urban inflation 30%, and changes in the CBE’s overnight deposit rate the remaining 10%;
Qalaa Holdings swung to a EGP 2.0 bn net income after minority interests in 2Q 2026, reversing a EGP 1.2 bn loss a year earlier. Revenue more than doubled y-o-y to EGP 54.5 bn during the period and recurring EBITDA jumped almost tenfold to EGP 18.2 bn. In 1H 2026, revenue rose 52% to EGP 94.7 bn, and the group booked EGP 185.2 mn in net income after minority interests.

The Egyptian government locked in enough LNG and crude to carry the country through peak demand this summer, and the real question now is who pays for it and for the rebuild ahead.

PowerTrip, our new four-part signature series, follows the money behind an energy sector that went from exporting gas to importing it in just five years.

Over the four issues this autumn, we’ll look at how the lights stayed on and what that cost, who will own the next generation of power, how fast renewables can really scale, and whether Egypt’s claim to be the region’s energy hub still holds.

Issue I lands Wednesday, 30 September, and looks at how Egypt avoided rationing this summer, what the gas shortfall means for the economy, and where oil is headed over the next 18 months.

Coming straight to your inbox — Wednesday, 30 September.

☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- The weather remains steady in C-town, with the mercury peaking at 32°C tomorrow, alongside sunny conditions, before dropping down to a clear 22°C overnight, according to our favorite weather app.

From Darb 1718 to the Rijksakademie: a guide to artist residencies open to Egyptians now

🖌️ Sometimes all an artist needs is a quiet space, enough time to work, and a new environment that helps them see their ideas differently. That’s precisely what artist residencies offer — a temporary escape from the pressure of deadlines and commissions, and a chance to think, experiment, and develop new work. This week’s edition of the Enterprise guide brings together a selection of residencies open to Egyptian artists, including some currently accepting applications and others opening soon.

Residencies in Cairo and the Arab region

If you’d rather stay close to Cairo, or your project is rooted in a local context, these are the options closest to home.

#1- Out of the Circle AIR: This residency hosts artists and researchers from around the world whose projects connect to Cairo, offering a private room and workspace in the city center, alongside a program that gives residents access to the local arts scene and Egyptian cultural institutions.

📅 Deadline: 9 October 2026.

⏳ Duration: Three weeks to one month.

💰 Cost: USD 350 per week, covering accommodation, workspace, and local support.

🔗 How to apply: Apply via the organization’s website.

#2- MedRX Residency: Aimed at early- to mid-career Egyptian artists working in digital practices, moving image, and new technologies, this residency offers space for work and experimentation in Cairo, access to equipment, including cameras and VR headsets, and meetings and discussions with artists and curators.

📅 Deadline: Varies throughout the year.

⏳ Duration: Six months.

💰 Cost: Partially funded; no accommodation provided.

🔗 How to apply: Apply via the Medrar for Contemporary Art website.

#3- Darb 1718: For artists looking to work within a distinctive craft and archaeological context, Darb 1718 offers a private studio in Fustat, close to the Hanging Church and the historic pottery village. The residency is open to artists, writers, researchers, and curators seeking an independent arts space at the intersection of craft and contemporary practice.

📅 Deadline: Open year-round.

⏳ Duration: One week to six months.

💰 Cost: From EUR 12 per night for a single room, up to around EUR 550 per month for a private studio, according to one artist-in-residence speaking to EnterpriseAM.

🔗 How to apply: Contact [email protected].

#4- Ashkal Alwan: One of the region’s most established residency programs, Ashkal Alwan hosts a small number of artists, writers, and curators each year, giving participants dedicated time to develop and research their projects within Beirut’s artistic and cultural environment.

📅 Deadline: Rolling applications accepted year-round.

⏳ Duration: Two to three months.

💰 Cost: Fully funded, including travel, accommodation, and a daily stipend.

🔗 How to apply: Apply via the organization’s website.

#5- Mmag Foundation: This Jordanian organization offers artists and cultural practitioners a dedicated workspace to develop their artistic practice and research projects, alongside prospects for peer exchange, mentorship, and public engagement through workshops, performances, and events.

📅 Deadline: Rolling applications accepted year-round.

⏳ Duration: One to nine months.

💰 Cost: Partially funded — studio and accommodation provided; travel and daily allowance not included.

🔗 How to apply: Apply via the foundation’s website.

#6- DCS Residency: This program offers residencies across disciplines, with a particular focus on performance and contemporary dance artists working on projects related to place, memory, the body, language, and the environment. Hosted in the Tunisian city of Gabes, it prioritizes Arab artists in the diaspora and provides space for experimentation, research, and engagement with the local context.

📅 Deadline: Varies throughout the year.

⏳ Duration: Three months.

💰 Cost: Fully funded.

🔗 How to apply: Apply via the Danseurs Citoyens Sud website.

International residencies

For those looking to broaden their horizons, here are international programs that offer the chance to work within different artistic and cultural environments around the world.

#1- Mophradat Residencies: These programs are designed for artists, writers, and curators from the Arab world, with each residency varying in focus depending on the discipline and international partner — covering performance, music, writing, and more. Participants work with international arts institutions and develop their projects in countries including Belgium and Germany.

📅 Deadline: Varies by program.

⏳ Duration: Typically three weeks to three months, depending on the program.

💰 Cost: Near-fully funded, covering travel, visa, daily allowance, and a contribution to production costs.

🔗 How to apply: Apply via the Mophradat website.

#2- Seto Art Residency: This Japanese residency welcomes artists working in painting, photography, film, sound, and collage — no Japanese language required. Three artists are hosted per cycle, based in the coastal city of Ako, with travel, accommodation, and a USD 1k stipend for food and transport provided, alongside translation support when needed.

📅 Deadline: 13 February 2027.

⏳ Residency period: June 2027.

💰 Cost: Fully funded.

🔗 How to apply: Apply via the program’s website.

#3- Leighton Artist Studio: Offered by the Banff Center for Arts and Creativity, this program comes in three formats — individual, collective, and a photography-specific track — all set in the Canadian mountains. Participants receive a private studio and hotel room, alongside a partial grant that offsets the cost, with the artist covering the remainder.

📅 Deadline: 14 October 2026.

⏳ Residency period: April 2027 to March 2028.

💰 Cost: Partially funded — CAD 1k per week depending on grant type.

🔗 How to apply: Apply via the organization’s website.

#4- Cité internationale des arts: A major residency in the heart of Paris open to artists and cultural professionals of all nationalities, offering studio space and accommodation within the institution for the development of research or creative projects. An institutional partner supporting the artist during the residency is required.

📅 Deadline: 8 October 2026.

⏳ Duration: Three, six, or nine months.

💰 Cost: Partially funded, contingent on institutional partner support — covers visa, travel, and a monthly living allowance of at least EUR 1k.

🔗 How to apply: Apply via the website.

#5- Rijksakademie: One of the most internationally recognized artist residency programs, the Rijksakademie brings together artists from different nationalities and disciplines within an arts community in Amsterdam. Participants work from dedicated studios and have access to the program’s resources and activities.

📅 Deadline: 1 January 2027.

⏳ Duration: One or two years.

💰 Cost: Fully funded — studio, production budget, and monthly stipend included.

🔗 How to apply: Apply via the website.

#6- Akademie Schloss Solitude: Based in a historic palace in Stuttgart converted into a space for artists, researchers, and cultural practitioners, this program welcomes participants from diverse fields, including visual arts, literature, architecture, and the humanities. Residents work on individual and collaborative projects within a multidisciplinary community.

📅 Deadline: Autumn 2027.

⏳ Duration: Six or nine months.

💰 Cost: EUR 1.3k monthly stipend.

🔗 How to apply: Apply via the website.

💡 Additional picks worth knowing about:

Gasworks Residency: London-based program hosting international artists to develop their practice and projects within an arts community, with varying conditions and duration depending on the program;
Pro Helvetia: Supports artists and cultural practitioners from the Arab region through exchange and collaboration with Switzerland, offering residencies, grants, and project development prospects depending on the program;
EFFEA Residency: A cross-border program supporting emerging artists in developing new projects and building professional relationships with arts institutions across different countries;
Espronceda Institute of Art & Culture: Barcelona-based contemporary arts institution offering residencies of two to 12 weeks, with some programs covering travel and accommodation, alongside multidisciplinary studio spaces;
Künstlerhaus Schloss Balmoral: International residency for visual artists and curators, set in a historic villa in Bad Ems, Germany, offering four- or eight-month fellowships with a monthly stipend of EUR 1.4k.

Why Stuff You Should Know remains one of the best podcasts for the genuinely curious

🎧 Ever found yourself wondering how something works? Stuff You Should Know is built for exactly that kind of curiosity, exploring some of the world’s most intriguing questions, from the mysteries of the universe to the science behind everyday life, through conversations that make even the most complex ideas accessible.

What to expect: Hosted by Josh Clark and Charles W. “Chuck” Bryant, the podcast breaks down complex topics into digestible material — covering everything from the scientific method to James Bond — while keeping things light-hearted and bringing the fun back to learning.

One episode that stood out: The “How Big Bang Theory Works, with Neil deGrasse Tyson” episode does exactly what the podcast does best. Clark and Bryant walk through how the universe formed and evolved according to the theory, with Tyson on hand to add weight to the discussion. They start by debunking the common misconception that the Big Bang was an explosion rather than an expansion from a hot, dense state, then work through cosmic inflation, string theory, and more — converting a genuinely complex theory into an engaging, comprehensive rundown that answers all the right questions.

What we liked: Clark and Bryant don’t just throw facts at you. They walk through concepts conversationally, making you feel like you’re in the room with them. Rather than simply dumbing things down, they take their time with the material — and the lack of urgency in their tone lets listeners work through topics that may have gone over their heads in school at their own pace.

The verdict: Stuff You Should Know excels at making complex topics accessible, but it’s far from a passive listen. Each episode asks for your full attention rather than offering a quick overview, making it better suited to curious listeners willing to give it that. For anyone eager to expand their knowledge and uncover the world’s biggest mysteries, it’s well worth the time.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can tune in on Spotify, Anghami, and Apple Podcasts.

Haaland meets Ronaldo as Nations League Matchday 2 gets underway

⚽ It’s been a packed weekend of international footie — and there’s more to unpack today. Matchday 2 of the UEFA Nations League gets underway tonight. The standout match of the evening is Norway versus Portugal at 9:45pm — Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo on the same pitch.

Also at 9:45pm, Jürgen Klopp’s Germany take on Greece in his second Nations League fixture in charge — following Thursday’s opening match against the Netherlands, who are back in action themselves tonight against Serbia at 7pm.

Also today in the UEFA Nations League:

Lithuania vs. Azerbaijan — 4pm;
Austria vs. Kosovo — 7pm;
Denmark vs. Wales — 7pm;
Gibraltar vs. Andorra — 7pm.

💡 All fixtures will be broadcast on beIN Sports. Check the full schedule here.

AND- Al Ahly will be taking on Kuwait’s Burgan SC at 8pm on ON Sport in the International Handball Federation’s Club World Championship. Zamalek are also taking on Barcelona right now on ON Sport.

💡 Egypt is hosting the tournament from 24 September to 1 October at the New Capital, featuring 10 international teams.

🥅 ICYMI-

In the AFCON qualifiers, Egypt were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Angola in Cairo — a flat opening to their campaign and a result that will need addressing when the Pharaohs travel to South Sudan next. The region’s other sides fared better: Algeria beat Zambia 3-1, Morocco beat Gabon 2-0, and Sudan beat Ethiopia 1-0 — three Arab nations opening with victories, leaving Egypt as the only one without maximum points from the first matchday.

In the UEFA Nations League, the weekend’s nail-biter was Saturday’s clash at Wembley. Spain beat England 3-2 as Lamine Yamal opened the scoring after just two minutes following a Marc Guéhi error. Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane turned it around for England, only for Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal to restore Spain’s lead. The world champions showed exactly why they took home the World Cup.

Thursday had its own nail-biter too: Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Denmark 3-2 in Oslo. Oscar Bobb opened the scoring before Haaland added a second four minutes later, but Denmark clawed back through Mikkel Damsgaard’s free kick and a Rasmus Højlund equalizer, only for Haaland to fire the deciding goal in the 74th minute.

Also in the UEFA Nations League over the weekend: Portugal, defending champions, defeated Wales 1-0, and Germany and the Netherlands played out a 1-1 draw.

Finland, however, delivered a sweeping performance, thrashing San Marino 7-0 in Serravalle as Joel Pohjanpalo scored a hat-trick in a statement opening victory for a side that had just been relegated from League B.

She Arts Festival brings global voices to Cairo this October

♀️ The She Arts Festival returns this year with a four-day run from Thursday, 1 October to Sunday, 4 October, bringing 100+ artists from 10 countries together under the theme “Voices of Peace – A Global Symphony.” Main performances will take place at Ewart Memorial Hall at AUC Tahrir Square, with artists including Nesma Mahgoub, Farah El Dibany, Marwa Nagy, and more.

The festival’s packed schedule also includes workshops, cultural activities, film screenings, exhibitions, and more across venues in Cairo and Alexandria, including the festival’s own women-led local bazaar. You can book tickets for the live performances through TicketsMarché — check out the full program here.

What the markets are doing on 27 September 2026

The EGX30 fell 1.4% at today’s close on turnover of EGP 7.7 bn (34.4% below the 90-day average). International investors were the sole net buyers. The index is up 26.8% YTD.

In the green: ADIB (+1.8%), CIB (+0.4%), and Valmore Holding -EGP (+0.2%).

In the red: Raya Holding (-7.5%), Rameda (-6.2%), and Misr Cement (-5.1%).

THE ENTERPRISEPM ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

🗓️SEPTEMBER

6 September - 30 October (Sunday-Friday): Khayal Mareed at Theatro Arkan.

21 September - 20 October (Monday - Tuesday): International Flower Exhibition at Al Horreya Garden, Zamalek.

28 September (Monday): Murtajala Khana at CJC 610.

29 September (Tuesday): Teseenaty Band at Boom Room, Open Air Mall, Madinaty.

29 September - 2 October (Tuesday-Friday): Opera Aida by Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Orchestra at Cairo Opera House, Zamalek.

30 September (Wednesday): Lena Chamamyan at CJC 610.

OCTOBER

1-3 October (Thursday-Saturday): Oliver season 3 by Fabrica at Teatro 90.

1-3 October (Thursday-Saturday): Leila Assal at The Theater, Movenpick, 6th of October City.

1-4 October (Thursday-Sunday): She Arts Festival at Ewart Memorial Hall, AUC Tahrir Square.

2 October (Friday): Alaa El Sheikh’s Play Crowd at Theatro Arkan.

2-3 October (Friday-Saturday): Oktoberfest by Work Afters at Tenaya Riverside Dining, Maadi Al Corniche.

3 October (Saturday): One Day One World GEM visit by Educate Me Foundation at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

4-5 October (Sunday-Monday): Omar Khairat at Cairo Opera House.

5 October (Monday): EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum.

6 October (Tuesday): Armed Forces Day.

8 October (Thursday): Ragheb Allama at Porto El Sokhna.

8-10 October (Thursday-Saturday): Genre-crossing workshop: We Are Not Afraid to Love with Nur Turkmani and Mai Serhan at Ardi, Dahshur.

8-11 October (Thursday-Sunday): Starlight Festival in partnership with Visa at The Great Pyramids of Giza.

9 October (Friday): Abdelrahman Mohamed’s Man3an Lel Ehrag at Teatro 90.

10 October (Saturday): El Leila El Kebira at Teatro 90.

11 October (Sunday): Tamer Ashour Fundraising Concert at Al Qubaah Palace.

11 October - 8 November (Sunday-Sunday): Cairo International Art District by Art D’Egypte at Downtown Cairo.

15-23 October (Thursday-Friday): El Gouna Film Festival.

16 October (Friday): Tul8te at Al Manara Arena.

16 October (Friday): Omar Khairat at Fustat Festival.

16-17 October (Friday-Saturday): GEM Family Weekend at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

16-17 October (Friday-Saturday): Ultra Relay Run by The TriFactory at AUC, New Cairo.

16-17 October (Friday-Saturday): Egypt Coffee Festival at Common Grounds in Obour.

17 October (Saturday): Amr Selim at Teatro 90.

17 October (Saturday): Steps Summit at Sodic Sports Club, Sodic Eastown.

17 October (Saturday): Konnect Summit at The Greek Campus, El Tahrir St.

23-24 October (Friday-Saturday): Sukun’s Tulua Wellness Festival at IL Monte Galala, El Sokhna.

23 October (Friday): Alaa El Sheikh’s Play Crowd Vol.02 at Teatro 90.

24 October (Saturday): Blue 25th Anniversary Tour at New Capital.

28-31 October (Wednesday-Saturday): Egypt’s Cheese Festival at Al Horreya Garden, Zamalek.

29 October (Thursday): Fatma Said at the GEM.

NOVEMBER

4 November (Wednesday): Angham at the New Opera House in the City of Arts and Culture.

5 November (Thursday): Gala De Danza at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

5 November (Thursday): Nour Hajjar Stand up Comedy show at Teatro 90.

5-7 November (Thursday-Saturday): Cairo Jazz Festival at AUC Tahrir Square.

6 November (Friday): Angham at the New Opera House in the City of Arts and Culture.

2-7 November (Monday-Saturday): Barbara O’Neill Wellness Journey at Sheraton Miramar Resort, El Gouna.

11-20 November (Wednesday-Friday): Cairo International Film Festival.

12-14 November (Thursday-Saturday): Max Amini at St. Regis, New Capital.

14 November (Saturday): Trauma comedy special by Momos at CJC 610.

19-28 November (Thursday-Saturday): Cairo Design Week.

20 November (Friday): Saad El Oud at Ewart Memorial Hall, AUC Tahrir Square.

21 November (Saturday): El Gouna Half Marathon.

28 November (Saturday): Shakira at The Great Pyramids of Giza.

DECEMBER

4 December (Friday): Ghostly Kisses at Zed Park, Sheikh Zayed.

11-12 December (Friday-Saturday): The Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon at The Great Pyramids of Giza.

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