Organizer Information
Established in 2011, KAIR Košice Artist in Residence is an international residency program located in Košice, Slovakia. It serves as a vital platform for artistic exchange, fostering critical inquiry into pressing contemporary issues. KAIR is deeply embedded in the local cultural landscape and maintains a close partnership with Šopa Gallery. The organization is committed to supporting artists, curators, and researchers who explore environmental justice, human rights, and democratic values, viewing artistic research as an essential tool for collective imagination during times of crisis.
Title & Description
KAIR Košice Artist in Residence 2026
This open call invites professional visual artists and researchers for residencies in 2026 to engage with the complex social, ecological, and political realities of our time. The program is designed to provide space and time for the development of new projects or the continuation of existing research within a supportive professional network. Artists are encouraged to reflect on KAIR’s long-term thematic framework, which includes the climate crisis, marginalized communities, civic engagement, and "care" as a concept and practice. The experience culminates in a mandatory public presentation, such as an Open Studio or a lecture, tailored to the artist's specific practice.
Categories
- Visual Arts: All media including installation, painting, and mixed media.
- Interdisciplinary Arts: Projects crossing multiple creative boundaries.
- Curatorial Research: Theoretical and practical curatorial inquiries.
- Research: Artistic and academic research related to social and ecological themes.
Eligibility
- Who can apply: Professional visual artists, interdisciplinary artists, curators, and researchers.
- Location: Applicants must be based in Europe.
- Requirements: Must have a sustained professional practice in contemporary art and culture.
- Age Limit: None.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Workspace: Individual studio/workspace of approximately 20 m² located in the city center.
- Accommodation: Provided in a shared two-bedroom apartment.
- Professional Support: Dedicated production and curatorial guidance, mentorship, and connections to local cultural institutions and professional networks.
- Funding Assistance: Due to recent Slovakian cultural funding cuts, the organization provides intensive support for grant applications, including guidance on national arts councils and official letters of support to help artists secure external funding.
- Future Opportunity: Successful collaborations may lead to inclusion in Šopa Gallery’s 2027 exhibition or public program.
Application Fee
There is a mandatory residency fee of €950 per month.
Application Requirements
- CV: Maximum 2 pages.
- Portfolio: Maximum 10 pages, clearly articulating your practice and research interests.
- Motivation Letter: Detailing your connection to KAIR’s themes, what you intend to develop during the residency, and your funding strategy (if applicable).
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 1 January 2026
- Notification Date: 9 January 2026
- Residency Period 1: February 2026 (Two 1-month slots).
- Residency Period 2: June – September 2026 (Two 2–3 month slots).
Location
Košice, Slovakia
Additional Details
The program operates within a specific thematic framework: Environmental Questions (climate crisis, non-human relationships), Human Rights & Social Justice (displacement, collective memory), Democratic Values (public space, solidarity), and Care as Practice (community building, mutual aid). While these themes are prioritized, the organizers remain open to diverse methodologies. Participants are required to give a final presentation but may also opt for a "Meet & Greet" intro event or lead community workshops.