Organizer Information
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the European Union’s science and knowledge service, providing independent scientific evidence to support European policymaking. This residency is hosted by the JRC’s Digital Health Unit (Unit F7) together with the EU Policy Lab (JRC.S1) and the Centre for Advanced Studies (JRC.S4). The program brings artistic practice into dialogue with researchers, scientists and policymakers working on mental health and societal challenges.
Title & Description
European Commission Artist-in-Residence: Decoding Depression
Decoding Depression — Artist-in-Residence is a six-month artistic research residency exploring depression as a complex societal phenomenon shaped by biological, psychological, social, cultural, natural, built and digital environments.
The residency focuses particularly on the “environome”: the interconnected environments in which people live and how these environments influence mental health and wellbeing. Artists may explore themes including social isolation, inequality, insecure housing, digital exposure, stigma, mobility, care, public space and cumulative vulnerability.
The selected artist will work alongside JRC researchers and policymakers, using scientific evidence as a starting point for artistic inquiry rather than simply illustrating research findings. Proposals may be research-based, participatory, speculative, site-responsive, narrative, performative, digital or material.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Contemporary Art
- Interdisciplinary Art
- Performance
- Digital Art
- Social Practice
- Research-Based Art
- Speculative Art
- New Media
- Installation
- Photography
- Film/Video
- Writing
- Participatory Practice
Artists from other disciplines are also welcome.
Eligibility
- The opportunity is international and open to artists and speculative thinkers of any nationality and artistic discipline, provided they are legally able to work in the EU.
- Applicants should demonstrate artistic excellence, practical experience, distinctive approaches, interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary experience, and the ability to engage sensitively with complex social themes. Lived experience of depression—through personal experience, caregiving, or living closely with depression—is a mandatory requirement.
- Experience in mental health research, data science or digital health is an advantage.
Program Benefits & Awards
The selected artist receives a €15,000 total budget, covering fees, allowance, accommodation and travel.
The six-month residency runs from January to June 2027, with at least 20 non-consecutive days on site in Ispra, Italy. The remaining work may be undertaken remotely. The program may also include a visit to Brussels.
Artists will have opportunities to engage directly with scientists, researchers and policymakers, access selected research materials, participate in interdisciplinary discussions, develop artistic research and present their work in progress.
The residency concludes with a presentation, reflective account and potential artwork proposal. Any future artwork commission would require separate confirmation and funding.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Applicants must send one combined PDF document by email to JRC-Resonances@ec.europa.eu.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 18 October 2026
- Online interviews with shortlisted artists: 2–13 November 2026
- Selection and contracting: November–December 2026
- Residency begins: January 2027
- Informal presentation of work in progress: April 2027
- Closing presentation, reflective account and artwork proposal: June 2027
Location
Ispra, Italy
Additional Details
Because depression and mental health are sensitive subjects, proposals must demonstrate an ethical approach and avoid simplification, romanticisation, stigma or harmful representations. Projects involving testimony or direct participation should include appropriate safeguards.
Applicants may use AI-assisted tools when preparing their application, but must verify the output, respect intellectual-property requirements and disclose which tools were used.