Organizer Information
A4 Residency Art Center is a contemporary art and cultural exchange institution based in Chengdu. Founded as a multidisciplinary residency and production hub, the organization positions itself at the intersection of art, design, cultural research, and commercial innovation. Since its establishment in 2011, A4 Residency Art Center has worked with over 300 creators from more than 44 countries, including visual artists, filmmakers, architects, designers, writers, musicians, scholars, and entrepreneurs.
The institution operates as both an art production environment and a cross-sector platform, emphasizing the integration of creative practice with community engagement and business ecosystems. Its mission extends beyond traditional residency frameworks by actively fostering “creative collisions” between disciplines and encouraging artists to engage with local urban transformation, social structures, and cultural narratives. Through initiatives such as its “Super Agent” system and RE Expansion Program, the organization seeks to embed artists within local contexts while simultaneously connecting them to global networks of cultural production and exchange.
Title & Description
A4 International Residency Program 2027–2028 – Open Call
The A4 International Residency Program is a long-term, multidisciplinary residency designed to support artists, curators, designers, and other cultural practitioners in developing new work through deep engagement with the urban, social, and cultural environment of Chengdu. The program is structured around two parallel tracks: a fully funded fellowship and a self-funded “Light Version” residency.
The residency situates participants within a dynamic urban ecosystem characterized by rapid modernization, layered historical contexts, and evolving community practices. Artists are encouraged to respond to tensions between tradition and transformation, local identity and globalization, and personal narratives and collective experience. The program places strong emphasis on field engagement, encouraging participants to collaborate with local communities, institutions, and commercial partners.
A defining feature of the residency is its commitment to interdisciplinary production. Artists are not restricted by medium and are encouraged to experiment across visual arts, performance, sound, architecture, film, design, and hybrid practices. The residency also integrates structured community interaction through curated events, open studios, field research, and participatory projects. Each artist is expected to contribute actively to the local cultural environment by initiating public-facing activities and collaborative exchanges.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Film / Video Art
- Performance Art
- Sound Art / Music
- Architecture
- Design (Product, Fashion, Spatial, Interactive)
- Curatorial Practice
- Writing / Research / Literary Practice
- Interdisciplinary / Cross-media Practices
- Cultural Entrepreneurship / Hybrid Art-Business Projects
Eligibility
The open call is international and open to global applicants. Eligible applicants include:
- Multidisciplinary artists across all media
- Curators engaged in experimental and cross-disciplinary exhibition-making
- Designers in fields such as product, fashion, spatial, and interactive design
- Cultural practitioners with hybrid backgrounds combining art, research, and business innovation
The program explicitly welcomes practitioners working at the intersection of art, commerce, and cultural systems. There are no stated age restrictions, and both emerging and mid-career professionals may apply. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to engage with collaborative environments and contribute to community-based or socially engaged projects.
Program Benefits & Awards
Fully Funded International Residency Fellowship
- Minimum 8-week residency duration
- Private studio space and accommodation in Chengdu
- Round-trip travel support (economy airfare or 2nd class train within budget limits)
- Production grant of RMB 10,000 per project
- Access to local networks of communities, brands, and cultural institutions
- Cultural immersion programs and guided experiences in Chengdu
- Institutional media and promotional support
- Participation in talks, salons, group gatherings, and open studio events
- Opportunities to present outcomes through exhibitions, performances, publications, or public art projects
Light Version Residency (Self-Funded)
- Flexible 8-week residency period
- Studio and accommodation provided
- Full access to institutional spaces and programming
- Integration into the “Super Agent” community network
- Participation in all public programming and events
- Cultural immersion and guided activities
- Visibility through official media channels and exhibitions
Additional Program Features
- Structured community engagement system
- Collaborative public programming (1–2 participatory events required per resident)
- Documentation and research framework for artistic process archiving
- Opportunities for long-term networking with institutions and commercial partners
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit materials in both English and Chinese, including:
- CV / Resume (highlighting previous collaborations with communities and/or commercial brands)
- Portfolio of previous work
- Project proposal outlining:
- Concept and objectives
- Methodology and working process
- Community engagement strategy
- Expected outcomes and impact
- Personal photo
Additional emphasis is placed on demonstrating cross-disciplinary collaboration experience and feasibility of execution within an 8-week residency period.
How to Apply?
- Fully Funded Fellowship
Email: a4residency@a4am.cn
Subject line: “A4 International Residency Application – [Your Name] – 2027 Autumn / 2028 Spring / 2028 Autumn”
- Light Version Residency
Email: qiaojiayi@a4residency.com.cn
Subject line: “A4 Residency Light Version Application – [Your Name] – 2027 Autumn / 2028 Spring / 2028 Autumn”
Key Dates
- Application deadline (2027 cycle): 30 June 2026
- Application deadline (2028 year-round recruitment): 31 December 2026
- Residency Periods:
- Autumn 2027: July – October 2027
- Spring 2028: April – June 2028
- Autumn 2028: July – October 2028
Location
Chengdu, China
Additional Details
The residency emphasizes local engagement and participatory practice, requiring each resident to initiate at least one to two public-facing or community-based activities. The program integrates structured documentation processes, including interviews, research documentation, and collaborative observation systems.
A distinctive feature is the “Super Agent” system, which pairs artists with local residents to facilitate cultural immersion and provide grounded insights into everyday life in Chengdu. This model aims to accelerate contextual understanding and support socially embedded artistic production.
The program also includes networking with commercial brands and institutional partners, positioning itself as a hybrid platform where artistic production, cultural research, and economic collaboration intersect.
Expected outcomes may include:
- Public or permanent artworks
- Performances or large-scale events
- Exhibitions and installations
- Research publications or literary outputs
Selection is based on creativity, interdisciplinary capacity, feasibility, and potential social and cultural impact.