Residency Programme for Artists, Researchers and Curators

The residency invites international artists to come and develop an artistic project linked to the region, and to discover the Balkans Art scene. Vila 31 runs a dynamic cultural programme in collaboration with local stakeholders, institutions, schools, and associations, including exhibitions, workshops, film screenings, discussions, and festivals open to all.

Categories

• Solo Programme: For artists only.
• Collective Programme: For collectives of artists, researchers, and curators.

Benefits

• Each resident benefits from:
  • A 3 months residency in Vila 31, in Tirana
  • A studio-apartment (only one double bed)
  • A commun kitchen
  • A round trip to the residence

Funding Information

• A grant of 800 euros per month
• A production grant of up to 1,500 euros
• For both programmes: three sessions of 3-months residencies.
  • January – March 2026
  • May – July 2026
  • September – November 2026

Eligibility Criteria

• Programmes are open to solo artists and collectives of artists, researchers, and curators of all nationalities, with no age limit, who have at least five years of professional experience and have presented their work and research on an international scale.
• Eligible artistic disciplines include: visual arts, performance arts, digital arts.
• Eligible areas of research include: humanities, social sciences, sciences, technological innovation, and ecology.

Selection Criteria

• More than thirty residents are selected every year.
• In addition to evaluating the candidates’s professional background, the selection committee will pay particular attention to the quality of the project, its connection to the residency theme (reflection on contemporary social, political, environmental, and technological issues), and the significance of its location in Albania for its development.
• The selection committee is composed of international leading figures from the world of art and research, as well as representatives from the Art Explora Foundation.
• Selected artists of the 3 sessions will be announced in September 2025.

Application Requirements

• Registration is free.
• Interested artists and researchers must submit an application in English that includes:
  • A description of the artistic project or research that will be developed during the residency (general description, project steps, etc): 2 pages max Please explain why being based in Albania is necessary for the development of your project (conceptual, geographical, practical, social links, etc)
  • A portfolio of past projects relevant to the proposed project: 15 pages max
  • A detailed resume: 2 pages max
  • A description summarizing activities and workshops conducted with different types of public (associations, schools, etc.): 1,500 characters max (including spaces)

For more information, visit Art Explora.