Organizer Information
Vila 31 x Art Explora Residency Programme is a contemporary international residency initiative located in Tirana, Albania, developed through the collaboration between Vila 31 and the Art Explora Foundation. The program is designed to support experimental and research-driven artistic production, fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue between artists, writers, curators, and researchers. Art Explora is a European cultural foundation dedicated to increasing access to the arts and supporting mobility for cultural practitioners, while Vila 31 functions as a key residency infrastructure in Albania, embedded in the region’s growing contemporary art ecosystem.
The residency positions itself within a broader strategy of strengthening artistic exchange between the Balkans and international cultural networks, with an emphasis on research-based, site-responsive, and interdisciplinary practices.
Title & Description
Vila 31 x Art Explora Residency Programme 2027 – 3-Month International Residency in Tirana
The Vila 31 x Art Explora Residency Programme 2027 invites artists, collectives, curators, writers, and researchers to undertake a fully supported Residency in Tirana, Albania. The program offers three separate 3-month sessions throughout 2027 and is designed to support the development of artistic or research projects across Visual Arts, Performance, Digital Arts, curatorial practice, and writing-based disciplines.
Rather than requiring a final output, the residency emphasizes process-based development, allowing participants to use their time in Albania for experimentation, research, and project evolution. Applicants are encouraged to engage with local contexts, cultural environments, and regional research fields such as ecology, history, technology, and social sciences.
The program offers both SOLO and COLLECTIVE formats, enabling either individual practitioners or collaborative groups to develop interdisciplinary work in a supported studio environment. The residency is structured to encourage long-term artistic inquiry, critical reflection, and exchange with international peers.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Performance
- Digital Arts
- Curatorial
- Writing
- Literature
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Research-based practices (humanities, social sciences, ecology, cultural studies)
Eligibility
- Open to international applicants of all nationalities
- No age restrictions
- Applicants must demonstrate at least 5 years of professional artistic or research practice
- Eligible participants include:
- Artists and artist collectives
- Curators
- Writers
- Researchers
- Both SOLO and COLLECTIVE applications are accepted
- Collective applications must be submitted by one representative
- Strong artistic portfolio and prior national/international exhibition or publication record required
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected residents will receive:
- 3-month fully funded Residency in Tirana, Albania
- Private studio-apartment (approx. 50–60 m²)
- Monthly living grant of 800 EUR (SOLO) / up to 1200 EUR shared (COLLECTIVE)
- Production grant up to 1500 EUR
- Round-trip travel support
- Access to production facilities and local/international networks
- Participation in Open Studios events
Additional advantages:
- No final production requirement (process-led residency)
- Institutional visibility within a major international residency network
- Opportunity for research-driven and experimental project development
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed application form via online portal
- Artistic or research CV (minimum 5 years experience required)
- Portfolio or documentation of previous work
- Project proposal outlining research or artistic intention
- Motivation statement
- For collectives: a single joint application submitted by one representative
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 1 May 2026
- Selection Notification: July 2026
- Residency Periods:
- Session I: January – March 2027
- Session II: May – July 2027
- Session III: September – November 2027
Location
Tirana, Albania
Additional Details
- Three residency programmes available: SOLO and COLLECTIVE formats
- No mandatory final output; participation in Open Studios is required
- Selection emphasises project quality, contextual relevance to Albania, and research depth
- Up to 30 residents are selected annually across all sessions
- The selection committee includes international curators and institutional leaders from Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East
- Strong emphasis on interdisciplinary, experimental, and research-driven methodologies
- Collective residencies share accommodation and grants between members