Radar Sofia Residency

RADAR is an independent art hub dedicated to supporting creators that make a difference. Located in the heart of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, we offer a free live/work space, networking and presentation opportunities in a vibrant and inexpensive city, distinctly exotic for those who come from Western Europe, and warmly European for those who originate in the East. We produce performances, host workshops, lectures and discussions, curate exhibitions, and also publish. We have open calls when we can grant scholarships to our residents and sometimes we can also cover the costs of travel. For many of you, Sofia could be the unexpected inspiration you need. The residency period may vary between one and four weeks. We want to lend a helping hand to creators who walk an artistic path off the beaten track. New methods and forms that make the audience truly engage in an important contemporary topic are what we seek to promote. We tend to prefer artists who take note of the world around them, see what is going on, and are able to artistically relate to the troubles and dangers for our societies and for our planet. Artists who have proven record of some resistance to the system in which we live will be most welcome. “Radical” is not a taboo word for RadAr. We seek also to support projects of artists at risk, creators who have been persecuted or censored due to the nature of their work or because of their race, sex, gender, ethnic origin, religion or political views, or just because. Your work will get presented to the local audiences and you will be introduced to artists from your field as we partner with some of the important cultural agents in the city. If you can think of a joint project with local artists, this would be strongly encouraged. We understand that nature of art is not only in constant creation, but also in reflection, rest and the ability to recuperate and the time to hear you inner voice (again). That is why we accept applications also from artists who don’t have a specific project in mind at the time of application, but boast rich and inspiring artistic biographies. We would be glad if Sofia helps you finetune your radar for your next great project. The space is designed mainly for writers, special preference is given to dramaturgy and performing arts. Our approach to dramaturgy and contemporary writing platform is presented here: Drama Pact.

Filmmakers, visual and interdisciplinary artists who don’t need a huge studio for their work can also apply to stay with us. Translators will not be rejected, although our primary focus is not translation. We don’t have deadlines and accept applications on a rolling basis. The usual length of a stay is between one and four weeks and it can be extended under special circumstances. Sofia is most beautiful between April and October, but winter comes with a bustling cultural and night life.

What We Offer

free space to live and create and abundant connections to the local scene

What Artists We Search For

We want to lend a helping hand to creators who walk an artistic path off the beaten track. New methods and forms that make the audience truly engage in an important contemporary topic are what we seek to promote. We tend to prefer artists who take note of the world around them, see what is going on, and are able to artistically relate to the troubles and dangers for our societies and for our planet. Artists who have proven record of some resistance to the system in which we live will be most welcome. “Radical” is not a taboo word for RadAr.

We seek also to support projects of artists at risk, creators who have been persecuted or censored due to the nature of their work or because of their race, sex, gender, ethnic origin, religion or political views.

The space is designed mainly for writers, special preference is given to dramaturgy and performing arts. Filmmakers, visual and interdisciplinary artists who don’t need a huge studio for their work can also apply to stay with us. Translators will not be rejected, although our primary focus is not translation.

We don’t have deadlines and accept applications on a rolling basis.

The usual length of a stay is between one and four weeks and it can be extended under special circumstances.

How To Apply

Mandatory information

1. Tell us who you are (your creative CV in up to 1,000 words.);
2. Show us your stuff (a writing sample of up to 20 pages (in English) for authors; or a list of links with your films/performances for theatre or film directors; or a portfolio of your works of up to 20 slides for visual artists/performers);
3. Tell us why you want to come to this artistic residency (your motivation in one page);
4. Give us two options for when you want to come with approximate dates of arrival and length of stay (one, two, three or four weeks). The first stay you apply for cannot be sooner than one month following the date of your application submission. Once you are approved, your dates may need to be further adjusted. See: FAQ
5. Show us that you are serious about this opportunity and that you value our time for reviewing your documents (pay the application fee of 21 EUR here). This open call is for people who chose carefully where they send their applications to. 

Optional, but highly valued:

• tell us about the project you would like to work on when in Sofia (up to 1,000 words)
• tell us if you can lead a workshop and what it would require as space, time and resources.
• send us any records of persecution against you, discrimination or censorship directly related to your work as an artist (text of up to 1,000 words);
• ask somebody knowledgeable in your field to send us a recommendation letter on behalf of you (this could be a decisive factor when we have two equally good proposals for the same time slot).

Please, send us your applications in a single mail with your name as a subject line here:

applications@radarsofia.org

Website link: https://radarsofia.org/