Residency programme in Albania
Application deadline: May 30, 2025
Art Explora, the foundation that fosters new encounters between arts and audiences, locally, nationally and internationally, is pleased to announce that the call for applications for Tirana Art Residency—Vila 31 x Art Explora is now open for 2026 sessions.
Nested in the heart of a dynamic city, Tirana Art Residency—Vila 31 x Art Explora aims to support contemporary creation in all its forms, within a transdisciplinary and transgenerational perspective.
Vila 31 x Art Explora runs a dynamic cultural programme in collaboration with local stakeholders, institutions, schools, and associations, including exhibitions, workshops, film screenings, discussions, and festivals open to all.
Until May 30, 2025, artists and collectives, researchers and curators from all around the world are invited to apply for the residency programme. The application process is open only once a year for all 2026 sessions.
Two programmes are proposed: SOLO programme for artists. COLLECTIVE programme for collectives of artists, researchers and curators
Residencies last three months, and applicants can choose between Session 1 (January–March), Session 2 (May–July) or Session 3 (September–November).
Each year, this programme accommodates up to around thirty artists and researchers. Each resident enjoys a living and workshop area, production and exhibition spaces, as well as living grants and a production grant to develop their research.
During the selection process, special attention will be paid to artists and researchers based in the Balkans, but all nationalities will be considered.
The selection committee is composed of international leading figures specialised in contemporary art, including specialists in the Balkans:
–Pierre Bal-Blanc (France): Independent curator and essayist
–Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrath (Lebanon / Germany): Curators and Co-Directors of Hamburger Bahnhof: National Gallery of Contemporary Art, Berlin
–Adela Demetja (Albania): Curator, author and Director of the Tirana Art Lab—Center for Contemporary Art, Albania
–Katerina Gregos (Greece): Curator, lecturer, educator. Director of ΕΜΣΤ | The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens
–Alicia Knock (France): Curator in the Contemporary Creation and Prospective Department of the Musée National d'Art Moderne, Centre Pompidou, Paris
–Hans Ulrich Obrist (United Kindgom & Switzerland): Art historian, contemporary art critic, curator and Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries, London
Applications are open until May 30, 2025, 11:59pm (GMT+2, Europe/Paris).
Selected artists will be announced in September 2025.
Find out more information on our website.
