Organizer Information
The Gdańsk House of Literature (Dom Literatury w Gdańsku) is a cultural institution dedicated to promoting literature, literary research, and interdisciplinary artistic collaboration in the city of Gdańsk, Poland. Operating within the broader framework of the UNESCO City of Literature network, the organization supports writers, translators, researchers, and artists through a variety of initiatives, including literary events, educational activities, publishing projects, and international residency programs.
The residency call is part of the Literary Map of Gdańsk initiative, a creative project exploring the city’s literary heritage and contemporary cultural narratives. The program encourages collaboration between writers and visual artists, inviting them to reinterpret the intellectual legacy of influential Polish literary scholar Maria Janion. Through this residency, the House of Literature aims to foster new artistic interpretations of the city’s cultural landscape while supporting international artistic exchange and interdisciplinary creative practice.
Title & Description
Literary Map of Gdańsk Residency Programme 2026 – Open Call for Writers and Visual Artists
The Literary Map of Gdańsk Residency Programme 2026 invites writers and visual artists from Poland and abroad to participate in a creative residency in the historic city of Gdańsk, Poland. The initiative focuses on developing a new set of creative cards for the next edition of the Literary Map of Gdańsk, a project that explores the literary and cultural identity of the city.
The selected participants will collaborate on a creative project inspired by the life, work, and intellectual legacy of Maria Janion—one of the most influential literary scholars and cultural critics in Poland. The residency encourages artists to engage with themes related to literature, memory, and cultural heritage while reflecting on how the city’s literary landscape can be reinterpreted through contemporary artistic practice.
The program will select a creative duo consisting of one writer and one visual artist who will jointly produce the new artistic materials for the next edition of the map. While applications from individual artists are also accepted, priority will be given to collaborative proposals submitted by a writer and a visual artist working together.
During the residency, participants will have time and resources to conduct research, explore the city’s cultural environment, and develop creative work inspired by Gdańsk’s literary heritage. Residents will also have opportunities to engage with the local cultural scene through meetings, networking activities, and events organized by the House of Literature.
The residency aims to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration between literature and visual arts while strengthening connections between international artists and the cultural ecosystem of Gdańsk.
Categories
- Literature
- Writing
- Visual Art
- Illustration
- Graphic Art
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Cultural Research
Eligibility
The residency program is open to artists and writers from Poland and international applicants.
Eligible applicants include:
- Writers working in literature, creative writing, or literary research.
- Visual artists working in illustration, graphic design, or related visual disciplines.
- Interdisciplinary artists whose work combines literature and visual art.
- Applicants may apply individually or as a collaborative duo consisting of a writer and a visual artist.
Priority will be given to applications submitted by writer–artist duos proposing a collaborative project for the Literary Map of Gdańsk.
Applicants should have previous professional or artistic experience relevant to the residency theme and demonstrate an interest in literature, cultural heritage, and interdisciplinary artistic practices.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected residents will receive the following benefits:
- Accommodation in Gdańsk is provided free of charge during the residency period.
- Financial compensation of approximately PLN 1,100 per week (gross).
- Logistical and organizational support from the House of Literature in Gdańsk.
- Access to the city’s cultural and literary institutions.
- Opportunities to participate in networking visits and cultural events organized during the residency.
The residency is designed to provide artists with time and resources to focus on their creative work while connecting with the local literary and artistic community.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a complete application package including:
- Completed application form.
- CV or résumé outlining artistic or literary experience.
- A list of published literary works or a list of solo and group exhibitions.
- A text excerpt (up to 5,000 characters) for writers or an art portfolio (maximum 10 slides in PDF format or a website link) for visual artists.
- A project concept description explaining the proposed approach to developing the new edition of the Literary Map of Gdańsk (maximum 5,000 characters).
How to Apply?
Applications must be sent by email to: rezydencje@miastoliteratury.com
Application details and form can be accessed here:
https://literaryresidenciespoland.pl/en/aktualnosci/ogloszenie-o-naborze-do-programu-rezydencyjnego-literacka-mapa-gdanska/
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 17 March 2026
- Residency Period: Between early April and mid-July 2026
- Residency Duration: 2 to 5 weeks (can be divided into two stays of at least two weeks)
Location
Gdańsk, Poland
Additional Details
The Literary Map of Gdańsk project seeks to connect literature, urban space, and visual storytelling by inviting artists to reinterpret the city’s intellectual history through creative works. The residency encourages artists to engage deeply with the cultural environment of Gdańsk and to explore the legacy of Maria Janion in new and imaginative ways.
Residents will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the city’s literary landscape, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to a growing artistic archive that maps Gdańsk through literature and visual art. In addition to working on their creative project, participants will also be invited to attend local cultural events and engage with the broader artistic community during their stay.