Applications are open until June 6, 2024
This residency program is a new international program developed by the Art Explora Foundation in Tirana, Albania, for artists and researchers.
Located in the heart of Vila 31, the former home of dictator Enver Hoxha, the Tirana Artists’ Residence – Vila 31 x Art Explora aims to prolong the local dynamic of reopening and reappropriating this historic site by the public. The architectural project chosen to renovate Vila 31 is led by NeM architects, who wanted to maintain a balance between the need to preserve the site and its problematic history, and the need to create neutral spaces – white bubbles – to rewrite new, plural histories.
This center for residency, research and artistic experimentation aims to be a new platform for intercultural exchange on a local, national and international scale. It will support contemporary creation in all its forms from a transdisciplinary and transgenerational perspective. The Tirana – Vila 31 x Art Explora residency program will host a dynamic cultural program designed in collaboration with local players, schools and associations, including exhibitions, workshops, film screenings, discussions, symposia and festivals open to all.
The Tirana – Vila 31 x Art Explora residency program will welcome up to thirty artists and researchers for 3-month residencies spread over 3 sessions per year. Each resident will benefit from studio accommodation, production and exhibition spaces, as well as a living and production grant to develop his or her research. Particular attention will be paid to artists and researchers based in the Balkans, while welcoming international artists.
Terms and conditions
The first call for applications will open from April 30, 2024 to June 5, 2025, for the first three residency sessions with the possibility of applying for three different types of residency programs:
SOLO program
This 3-month residency program is open to artists from Albania and the Balkans (50%) and to international artists.
COLLECTIVE program
A 3-month residency, this program is open to a duo/collective formed by an artist and a researcher
or a researcher/scientist/curator.
CROSS program
This residency program is a crossover program: residents will benefit from both a 3-month residency in Paris as part of the Cité internationale des arts x Art Explora residency program, and a 3-month residency in Tirana as part of the Tirana – Vila 31 x Art Explora residency program.
Alongside these 3 residency programs, curators, art critics and international researchers will be invited to Vila 31 for short-term research stays.
The residency programme is open to artists and artists’ collectives, researchers and curators of all nationalities, with no age limit, with at least five years of professional experience. Particular attention will be paid to artists and researchers based or working in the Balkans, but all nationalities are invited to apply and will be considered.
3 residency sessions will welcome up to 30 artists and researchers per year:
Session 1: December 2024 – February 2025
Session 2: April 2025 – June 2025
Session 3: August 2025 – October 2025
Candidates can apply for two different types of residency programme, each lasting 3 months. Each programme is open to all sessions.
SOLO programme: open to artists from Albania and Balkans (50%) and international artists, for a 3-month residency
COLLECTIVE programme: open to a collective or a duo of artists researchers, scientists and/or curators , for a 3-month residency
If you are interested in the COLLECTIVE residency programme, only one application should be submitted by a member of the collective.
Application deadline: 05/06/2024 11:59pm (GMT +02:00) Europe/Paris
Once submitted, the application cannot be modified.
Find out more about the open call and the residency programme here:
In english
In albanian
In serbian
Website link: https://www.artexplora.org/en/project/residences-dartistes-tirana-vila31-x-art-explora