Organizer Information
Crocosmos is an independent artistic collective and cultural initiative based near Toulouse, France, dedicated to experimental visual practices, collaborative art-making, and low-tech media creation. The organization develops interdisciplinary projects that combine analog technologies, community engagement, ecological awareness, and contemporary visual experimentation. Through workshops, residencies, performances, and the annual Visiophare Festival, Crocosmos supports artists working across expanded cinema, projection art, live visuals, DIY technologies, and participatory artistic research.
The collective is also connected to broader European cultural mobility initiatives and regularly collaborates with international artists, makerspaces, and local communities. Its approach emphasizes sustainability, experimentation, accessibility, and collective learning, making it an important platform for artists interested in alternative media practices and eco-conscious visual production.
Title & Description
Low-Tech Projection Lab Residency 2026
Low-Tech Projection Lab is an international collaborative residency programme focused on analog projection, experimental image-making, and low-tech visual creation. Hosted by Crocosmos near Toulouse, France, the residency invites five visual artists from eligible Creative Europe countries to participate in a 21-day immersive laboratory combining technical learning, collaborative experimentation, and public artistic presentation.
The residency centers around the transformation of recycled overhead projectors into eco-designed LED projection devices and encourages participants to explore handmade and analog visual techniques, including liquid projections, drawing-based projections, low-tech mapping, and expanded cinema practices. Artists will engage in both individual and collective research while contributing to workshops, community interactions, and the development of a final collaborative presentation during the Visiophare Festival.
The programme is divided into three main phases. During the first phase, residents will construct eco-projectors using recycled materials and digital fabrication tools such as laser cutters and 3D printers available through FabRiquet facilities. The second phase focuses on artistic experimentation and visual exploration through analog projection techniques and collaborative research sessions. The final stage emphasizes community engagement and co-creation through workshops with local participants, collaborative laboratories with artists from the Visiophare community, and preparation of a collective analog performance presented publicly during the festival.
The residency particularly welcomes artists interested in sustainable art practices, experimental projection, DIY technologies, collaborative creation, and interdisciplinary visual research.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Experimental Media
- Expanded Cinema
- Analog Projection
- Light Art
- Multimedia Art
- Installation Art
- Performance Art
- Mapping & Projection
- DIY / Low-Tech Technologies
- Community Art Practices
- Interdisciplinary Art
Eligibility
- Open to international artists residing in Creative Europe eligible countries or territories (61 eligible countries and territories).
- France is not eligible under this specific residency framework.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- No upper age limit applies.
- Both emerging and established artists are welcome.
- Artists from all educational backgrounds and professional experiences may apply.
- Participants must be available for the full residency period from 14 September to 4 October 2026.
- Selected participants cannot take part in another Culture Moves Europe residency project between 2025 and 2028.
- The working language of the residency is primarily English, although fluency is not mandatory.
This is an international open call.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected residents will receive comprehensive financial and logistical support, including:
- Free accommodation provided by Crocosmos
- Daily allowance for food and local transportation:
- €30 per day
- €630 total for the residency period
- Travel reimbursement:
- €400 for travel under 5,000 km
- €800 for travel above 5,000 km
- Additional financial support options:
- Green travel support: €400
- Family support: €200 per child for artists with children under 18
- Visa support: €120
- Accessibility support depending on individual needs
- Access to technical facilities, including FabRiquet machines, laser cutters, and 3D printers
- Mentorship from three professional facilitators and mentors
- Participation in workshops, collaborative laboratories, and the Visiophare Festival
- Opportunity to publicly present collaborative work during the festival
Visa support letters can also be provided if necessary.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants are expected to complete the official online application form. While the process is intentionally brief and accessible, applicants should generally be prepared to provide:
- Personal information
- Contact details
- Country of residence
- Artistic background and experience
- Motivation for joining the residency
- Examples of artistic practice or portfolio material
- Information related to accessibility or support needs if applicable
The application process takes approximately 5–10 minutes.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 16 June 2026
- Notification of Results: 22 June 2026
- Residency Period: 14 September – 4 October 2026
Location
Near Toulouse, France
Additional Details
The residency strongly emphasizes collaboration, experimentation, ecological thinking, and hands-on creation. Rather than focusing solely on finished outcomes, the programme prioritizes collective learning processes and shared artistic research. Artists will actively participate in technical construction, creative experimentation, and community-oriented activities throughout the residency.
The residency environment is designed to encourage exchange between international artists, local communities, and interdisciplinary practitioners. Participants should therefore be comfortable working collaboratively and engaging with public-facing activities such as workshops and festival presentations.
This residency may be especially relevant for artists working with:
- Expanded cinema
- Analog media
- Experimental projection
- Sustainable artistic technologies
- DIY electronics and fabrication
- Participatory and community-based art
- Immersive visual performance
The programme is supported within the broader framework of European cultural mobility and artistic exchange initiatives.