A three-month international residency supporting artists, researchers, and curators with funding, studio space, and global networks.
29 April 2026
Open Call:
The Vila 31 x Art Explora Residency Programme 2027 invites applications from artists, artist collectives, researchers, curators, and writers worldwide. The programme offers fully funded three-month residencies in Tirana, Albania, across three sessions in 2027.
Institutional Context:
Art Explora is an international foundation dedicated to fostering new encounters between arts and audiences at local and global levels. Its residency programmes support interdisciplinary research and artistic production while encouraging engagement with contemporary social, cultural, and ecological issues.
The Vila 31 residency is part of this broader initiative, combining accommodation, production support, and integration into local artistic networks in Albania.
Eligibility and Criteria:
The call is open to applicants of all nationalities with no age restrictions who meet the following criteria:
- Minimum five years of professional activity
- Proven track record of exhibitions, research, or publications at the national or international level
- Practice in fields such as visual arts, performance, digital arts, curatorial work, writing, or relevant research disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, technology, or ecology
Both individual applicants and collectives are eligible, with specific provisions for collaborative projects.
Evaluation Process:
Applications are assessed by an international selection committee composed of leading figures in art, curation, and research.
Evaluation focuses on:
- Professional background of the applicant
- Quality and originality of the proposed project
- Relevance to the residency themes
- Significance of the Tirana context for the project’s development
Approximately 30 residents are selected annually.
Practical Information:
- Duration: 3 months
- Sessions: January to March, May to July, September to November 2027
- Location: Vila 31 x Art Explora, Tirana, Albania
Support includes:
- Studio apartment accommodation
- Monthly living grant of 800 EUR
- Production grant up to 1500 EUR
- Round-trip travel support
- Access to facilities and local networks
Participation in open studio events is required, though no final output is mandatory.
Deadline for applications is 15 May 2026.
Applications and Queries:
- Application process: Online submission via the Art Explora platform, including registration and completion of the application form
- Results notification: July 2026
For enquiries, applicants can contact:
residencies-tirana@artexplora.org
or visit the website.
