Organizer Information
The MGLC – International Centre of Graphic Arts in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is a specialized institution dedicated to contemporary visual arts, printmaking, and international artist residencies. It offers public programs, studio facilities, and research opportunities rooted in the legacy of the Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts, the world’s oldest printmaking biennale (est. 1955). In collaboration with the Igor Zabel Association for Culture and Theory, which promotes the legacy of the influential Slovenian curator and art historian Igor Zabel, MGLC supports critical discourse, research, and writing on contemporary art. Partnering with Moderna galerija Ljubljana (MG+MSUM), the program integrates institutional and historical perspectives into international art criticism.
Title & Description
MGLC Critic-in-Residence Programme 2026 – Writing and Research in Contemporary Art
This fully funded residency invites internationally active art historians, art critics, and cultural journalists to spend one month (1–31 October 2026) at MGLC Švicarija in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Residents will explore, reflect on, and write about contemporary visual arts, exhibition histories, and institutional roles under socio-political challenges. Candidates will engage with historical events, including the 1996 Museum of Contemporary Art Sarajevo 2000 exhibition and the symposium Living with Genocide: Political Theory, Art and War in Bosnia, producing at least one English-language essay, column, or interview by 1 December 2026. The program includes research support, editorial guidance, and publication opportunities through MGLC’s platforms and networks.
Categories
Visual Arts, Art Writing, Curatorial, Research, Interdisciplinary Arts
Eligibility
- Internationally active art writers, art historians, or cultural journalists with prior publication experience.
- Candidates must be interested in research, analysis, and writing in contemporary visual arts.
- Applicants must be able to reside in Ljubljana for the full month of October 2026.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Fully funded one-month residency in Ljubljana at MGLC Švicarija.
- Accommodation, workspace, and support for research and writing.
- Editorial, proofreading, and research assistance.
- Publication of residency work on MGLC and partner platforms.
- Networking and exposure within the Central and Southeastern European art scene.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online application form.
- Statement of intent and description of proposed research/writing project.
- CV and portfolio of previous publications or writing samples.
- Proposed focus on one or both historical events is preferred.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 28 February 2026
- Residency Period: 1–31 October 2026
Location
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Additional Details
- Only one critic-in-residence grant is awarded per applicant.
- The program emphasizes both historical engagement and contemporary art writing.
- Residents are expected to engage with institutional resources and historical archives.
- Opportunity to disseminate writing beyond MGLC through additional publication channels.