The Los Angeles–born and New York–based painter Kehinde Wiley has established an artist residency in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, Artnews reports. Called Black Rock Senegal, after the volcanic rocks commonly found along the city’s shoreline, the program was born out of the artist’s need to engage with Africa “in a much more personal way.”

“As an artist who works in the west I desired a space of renewal to explore new ideas and to create work outside of a western context—to create work within the context of my own lineage,” the artist said in a statement. In an interview with Artnews, dealer Sean Kelly, who represents Wiley, said that the artist considers his participation in the residency program at the Studio Museum in Harlem pivotal to his career and wants to offer other artists a similar professional opportunity.

Writers, filmmakers, and visual artists are invited to apply for the program. Applications for the first year will be accepted until April 15. The first cohort will work alongside Wiley at his Black Rock compound from June 2019 to February 2020 and will be provided with room and board.