Organizer Information
SVĚTOVA 1 is a contemporary gallery and creative hub located in Prague, Czech Republic, dedicated to supporting emerging artists and fostering innovative practices in contemporary visual art. The organization emphasizes engagement with the local community while offering an international perspective on contemporary art. Through exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, and residency programs, SVĚTOVA 1 provides platforms for dialogue, experimentation, and cultural exchange, encouraging emerging artists to develop their practices in a professional yet supportive environment. Their residency programs focus not only on artistic development but also on community involvement, public presentations, and curatorial feedback, providing artists with professional guidance and exposure within a vibrant European art context.
Title & Description
AiR SVĚTOVA 1 Residency – Emerging Visual Artist Residency
AiR SVĚTOVA 1 2026 offers a one-month creative residency for one emerging visual artist from selected European and North African countries. The residency is designed to enable intensive artistic development, allowing the resident to focus on creating a new project while benefiting from the guidance of an expert committee and curatorial support. During the residency, the artist will work in the inspiring environment of the SVĚTOVA 1 gallery, sharing their practice with the public through a workshop, an artist talk, and a final exhibition. The program encourages innovative approaches to visual art and aims to foster new perspectives in contemporary art, while also connecting the artist with the local community. The residency outcomes contribute to the gallery’s programming and public engagement objectives, providing both visibility and professional development opportunities for the participating artist.
Categories
Visual Art (open to diverse approaches within contemporary visual practices)
Eligibility
- Emerging artists at the beginning of their careers
- Residents of the following countries: Albania, Austria, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Ukraine
- Must be proficient in English
- Must not be enrolled in any educational program during the residency
- Must be available for the full residency duration (1.11.2026 – 6.12.2026)
Program Benefits & Awards
- Fully equipped shared studio space, including a bedroom with a bed and closet, private shower, and kitchenette
- Curatorial support from the S1 program team
- Production budget of approximately €820
- Accommodation in the gallery’s residential space
- Covered round-trip travel from the artist’s place of residence to Prague
- Opportunities to present work to the public through:
- Workshop (28.11.2026)
- Artist talk (5.12.2026)
- Exhibition (4.12.2026 – 2.1.2027)
- Group feedback from the expert committee at the end of the residency
- If the “Culture Moves Europe” grant is not approved, an artist fee of CZK 30,000 (~€1,238) will be provided, along with reimbursement of travel expenses
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- CV + portfolio (single PDF, max 15 pages, under 10 MB, including 5–10 selected works or projects; can include realized or non-realized projects)
- Cover letter or introduction video (max 5 minutes)
- Written project proposal (2 standard pages, 1,800–3,600 characters) describing the intended project, motivation, and expected benefits of the residency
- Optional: 5–10 images for planned projects
- Links to video works must be accessible without downloads or passwords, or passwords must be provided
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 23 March 2026
- Open Call Results Announcement: 7 April 2026
- Residency Duration: 1 November – 6 December 2026
- Workshop: 28 November 2026
- Exhibition: 4 December 2026 – 2 January 2027
- Artist Talk: 5 December 2026
Location
SVĚTOVA 1, Prague, Czech Republic
Additional Details
- Studio space is located inside the gallery, with the staff working hours from 12:00–18:00, Tuesday to Saturday
- No laundry machine on-site, but a laundromat is within a 5-minute walk
- Residency selection is made by an expert committee, potentially including an online interview
- An introductory meeting (in-person or online) will clarify objectives and logistics before the residency
- By applying, artists agree to share their work publicly through the residency’s activities (workshop, lecture, exhibition)
- Attendance requires submission of a grant application in collaboration with the curatorial S1 team; if unsuccessful, alternative funding is provided