Organizer Information
Fundaziun Nairs is a long-established interdisciplinary residency institution based in the Lower Engadine valley in Canton of Grisons, Switzerland. Operating for over 30 years, it has developed into one of Europe’s most distinctive residency environments for contemporary cultural production, combining artistic practice, intellectual research, and communal living.
The residency is located in a historic bathhouse on the banks of the River Inn, surrounded by alpine landscapes that historically served as a site of transit, cultural exchange, and ecological diversity. This geographical and historical context directly informs the residency’s conceptual framework, which emphasizes openness, transformation, and cross-disciplinary dialogue.
Fundaziun Nairs hosts international practitioners across multiple disciplines and fosters an environment where artists, writers, musicians, and researchers live and work together. The program is widely recognized for its emphasis on collective living, intellectual exchange, and long-form artistic development within a remote but globally connected setting.
Title & Description
Fundaziun Nairs Residency 2027 – Interdisciplinary Art, Research & Experimental Practice Residency in the Swiss Alps
The Fundaziun Nairs Residency 2027 offers a long-term interdisciplinary residency program designed for cultural practitioners working across contemporary Residency practices, Visual Arts, experimental writing, music, performance, and curatorial research.
Located in a former alpine bathhouse in Scuol, Switzerland, the residency provides selected participants with dedicated time and space for deep artistic and intellectual exploration. Residencies range from two to ten months, taking place between February and November 2027.
The program encourages projects that engage with liminal spaces, transformation, and “in-between” conditions—both geographically and conceptually. Artists are invited to develop research-based or process-oriented practices that address social, ecological, linguistic, and cultural entanglements within alpine and transnational contexts.
Beyond studio work, the residency emphasizes communal living, shared meals, and collaborative exchange between residents from diverse disciplines, fostering long-term artistic relationships and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Writing
- Literature
- Performance
- Music
- Curatorial Practice
- Research
- Experimental Practices
- Installation
- Contemporary Art
Eligibility
- Open internationally to cultural practitioners
- Emerging and established artists are eligible
- Open to practitioners across multiple disciplines, including art, writing, music, and curatorial research
- Applicants should demonstrate a strong artistic or intellectual practice
- Strong interest in interdisciplinary and collaborative work is required
- Motivation to participate in communal living is essential
- Multilingual practices are encouraged
- Applicants must submit all required documents via online application form (Google/Gmail account required)
Program Benefits & Awards
- Fully structured Residency program in the Swiss Alps
- Duration: 2 to 10 months (February–November 2027)
- Studio space and accommodation in a historic bathhouse
- Immersive interdisciplinary environment with international peers
- Access to collaborative and research-based artistic development
- Inclusion in a curated residency cohort (30–40 selected participants annually)
- Opportunity for long-term artistic research and production
- Networking with curators, artists, and cultural institutions
- Support in obtaining external funding (invitation letters provided)
Application Fee
- Monthly residency fee: 950 CHF per month (includes food supplies)
- Collaboration partner fee: 475 CHF per month (shared studio arrangement)
- Initial payment upon acceptance: 500 CHF deposit (non-refundable in case of cancellation)
Application Requirements
- Portfolio of previous work
- CV (Curriculum Vitae)
- Letter of motivation
- Optional: Project proposal or research idea
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Artistic originality and quality of work
- Relevance to Fundaziun Nairs’ interdisciplinary context
- Clarity of motivation
- Engagement with communal residency life
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Period: 30 April 2026
- Selection Notification: June 2026
- Residency Period: February – November 2027
Location
Canton of Grisons, Switzerland
Additional Details
- Selection is made by an international jury including curators, alumni, and institutional representatives
- 30–40 participants are selected annually
- Residents are expected to actively participate in communal life and interdisciplinary exchange
- Cooking and shared living are integral to the residency experience
- The program emphasises research-driven and open-ended artistic processes
- Fundaziun Nairs supports applicants with documentation for external funding applications
- Residency is situated in a multilingual alpine region, encouraging linguistic and cultural diversity
- No entitlement to fee reduction or waiver in case of early termination or cancellation