Organizer Information
CrafTopia Creative Hub is a cultural and creative organization based in Thessaloniki, Greece, dedicated to supporting artistic experimentation, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through residencies, workshops, exhibitions, and educational initiatives, the organization creates opportunities for artists and creative practitioners to explore contemporary social and environmental issues through collaborative artistic production.
The organization places strong emphasis on sustainability, material experimentation, and creative reuse practices. By connecting artists with local communities, industries, and cultural networks, CrafTopia encourages participants to develop innovative approaches to contemporary art and craft while fostering international exchange and professional development.
The “Material Dialogues” residency reflects the organization’s commitment to ecological awareness and contemporary craft discourse, inviting artists to work with reclaimed textile materials and mixed-media processes within a collaborative residency environment.
Title & Description
Material Dialogues: Paper, Textiles and Contemporary Craft – Artist Residency Open Call
CrafTopia Creative Hub is inviting applications from five visual artists for the “Material Dialogues: Paper, Textiles and Contemporary Craft” residency program in Thessaloniki, Greece. This 30-day international artist residency focuses on sustainability, material experimentation, and collaborative creative practices using paper, textiles, and reclaimed materials.
The residency encourages artists to rethink contemporary craft and mixed-media practices through the creative reuse of textile waste sourced from industries operating within the same historic building as CrafTopia. Rather than emphasizing finalized exhibition outcomes, the program prioritizes artistic process, experimentation, collaboration, and material exploration.
Participants will have the opportunity to investigate sustainable artistic methodologies while developing projects that combine paper, textile, and mixed-media approaches. The residency aims to foster dialogue between contemporary visual arts, craft traditions, ecological thinking, and collaborative making processes.
Artists are encouraged to use the residency as a platform for research, experimentation, and exchange while engaging with Thessaloniki’s local creative environment and international artistic community.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Textile Art
- Fiber Art
- Paper Art
- Contemporary Craft
- Mixed Media
- Installation Art
- Sustainable Art Practices
- Experimental Art
- Interdisciplinary Art
- Sculpture
- Material Research
- Design
- Collaborative Practices
Eligibility
- International visual artists
- Emerging and established artists
- Artists working with paper, textile, and mixed-media practices
- Artists interested in sustainability and material experimentation
Applicants must reside in countries eligible for participation in the Culture Moves Europe programme.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Accommodation during the residency period
- Shared working space
- Mentoring support
- Professional networking opportunities
- Travel reimbursement
- Access to materials
- Administrative and logistical support
- Daily allowance
- Participation in an international creative residency environment
The residency also offers opportunities for collaborative exchange, artistic experimentation, and engagement with sustainable craft methodologies.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- A short biography or CV
- Artistic portfolio
- Short motivation letter
Applications should be submitted via email.
How to Apply?
Applicants must send their application materials by email to: info@craftopia.gr
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 June 2026
- Residency Period: October 15, 2026 – November 13, 2026
Location
Thessaloniki, Greece
Additional Details
The residency specifically focuses on sustainability and the creative reuse of industrial textile waste. Artists will be encouraged to experiment collaboratively and engage with environmentally conscious artistic processes using paper and textile materials.
The program emphasises:
- Process-based artistic development
- Collaboration and experimentation
- Ecological awareness
- Contemporary craft discourse
- Sustainable mixed-media practices
Because only five artists will be selected, the residency is expected to be highly competitive. Applicants are encouraged to clearly demonstrate their interest in sustainability, material experimentation, and collaborative artistic methodologies in their portfolio and motivation letter.