Organizer Information
Trinacria Theatre Company is an international nonprofit theatre and arts collective founded in 2016 and based in the tiny mountain village of Pezzolo (province of Messina, Sicily). From a restored 100-year-old family home (Casa Trinacria) and the newly opened Trinacria Art Garage, the company produces original performances, hosts residencies, and runs the annual Trinacria Arts Festival. Led by Nigerian-American artistic director Iyvon E., Trinacria is committed to rural placemaking, intercultural exchange, and sustainable artist support in one of Sicily’s most remote and beautiful locations. The festival residency underscores the company's dedication to community-driven art, transforming Pezzolo's historic spaces into vibrant hubs for global-local dialogues.
Title & Description
Trinacria Festival Residency – Trinacria Theatre Company.
A 3-week project-based residency in the remote Sicilian mountain village of Pezzolo. Professional artists are invited to develop and present new site-specific, community-engaged work for the annual Trinacria Arts Festival. Residents live in Casa Trinacria, collaborate daily with villagers, share meals, and co-create performances, installations, or interdisciplinary pieces inspired by local stories, landscapes, and traditions. The focus is on meaningful intercultural exchange and public presentation during the festival. No finished work is required upon arrival—only a strong desire to create with and for the community. (128 words)
Categories
Open to all disciplines for professional artists, including Theatre & Performance, Dance, Visual Arts (installation, sculpture), Music & Sound Art, Multimedia/Digital Arts, Literature/Writing (site-specific scripts or poetry), Film/Video, Photography, and interdisciplinary community-engaged practices.
Eligibility
- International professional artists (individuals or small groups up to 4 members)
- 18 years and older
- Demonstrated experience in community-engaged or site-specific work
- Comfortable with remote, mountainside village life (stair-heavy access, limited amenities)
- Good working knowledge of English; basic Italian helpful but not required
- Responsible for own travel, visas, and medical insurance
Program Benefits & Awards
- Free accommodation in Casa Trinacria or private family homes (shared rooms/bathrooms)
- Access to workspaces: Trinacria Art Garage, Sala di Santa Maria community hall, public piazzas
- Catered lunches (authentic local specialties; accommodations for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free diets)
- One-to-one artistic support and mentorship from Trinacria team
- Public presentation opportunity at Trinacria Arts Festival (reaching 500+ attendees)
- Community integration activities: food sharing, story listening, cultural excursions
- Documentation support (photos, videos) for professional portfolios
- Optional family-style dinners and self-serve breakfast/snacks
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae (CV, max 2 pages)
- Detailed project proposal (required; focus on concept, community engagement plan, site-specific elements, and festival presentation ideas)
- Portfolio of relevant works (images, videos with descriptions)
- Motivation letter explaining interest in Pezzolo/community themes
- One professional reference contact (name + email)
- Optional: Diversity monitoring form (anonymous)
All in PDF; video submissions via email link are acceptable.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 21 December 2025
- Interviews: Early January
- Artists announced: End of January
- Arrival in Sicily: July 24, 2026
- Trinacria Arts Festival: August 9 - 11, 2026
- Departure: August 13, 2026
Location
Pezzolo, Sicily, Italy
Additional Details
- Competitive selection by Trinacria's artistic team, prioritizing innovative, feasible projects with strong community impact and diversity (encourages BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and underrepresented applicants).
- Unplugged environment: No WiFi; spotty cell reception; ideal for focused immersion.
- Accessibility: Stair-heavy village; email for accommodations (e.g., ground-floor options limited).
- Dietary limits: No support for severe allergies (nuts, celiac, kosher) due to facilities.
- Wildlife/terrain: Prepare for mosquitoes, lizards, feral cats, and winding roads.
- Ethical focus: Respect local customs; interpretation provided for interactions.
- Inquiries: residency@trinacriatheatre.com. The program runs on alternating years; confirm 2026 status via direct contact.
