TIRANA.- Vila 31 x Art Explora announces the open call for its 2027 residency programme in Tirana, Albania.

Following a remarkable inaugural year in 2025, Vila 31 x Art Explora has rapidly established itself as a vital platform for contemporary creation in the Balkans. In its first full year, the residency hosted 29 artists from 15 nationalities and presented over 100 public events: exhibitions, workshops, screenings, performances, and discussions—welcoming more than 30,000 visitors.

Situated in the former residence of Enver Hoxha, Vila 31 is reactivated as a space for artistic research, experimentation, and dialogue. The programme supports transdisciplinary and transgenerational practices, inviting artists, curators, researchers, and writers to develop projects that engage critically with the cultural, social, and political contexts of the Balkan region and beyond.

The residency is conceived as a site of exchange between local and international practitioners, through a dynamic public programme developed in collaboration with institutions, schools, and cultural organisations across Albania and the region.

The 2027 residency offers two formats: SOLO Programme—for individual artists and writers. COLLECTIVE Programme—for collectives of artists, researchers, and curators.

The residency welcomes artists, researchers, curators, and writers of all nationalities, working across disciplines, and offers:

–Three-month residency across three sessions in 2027
–Fully equipped living and studio spaces
–A monthly stipend and production grant
–Curatorial support, mentorship, and professional encounters
–Opportunities for public engagement through talks, workshops, and Open Studios

The selection is conducted by an international jury of leading figures in contemporary art and curatorial practice, including

Alicia Knock (Centre Pompidou, Paris) / Adela Demetja (National Gallery of Arts, Tirana) / Adam Szymczyk (S AM Swiss Architecture Museum, Basel) / Nora Razian (Art Jameel / Diriyah Biennale) / Lucia Pietroiusti (Hartwig Art Foundation, Amsterdam) / Raphael Fonseca (Denver Art Museum).

The programme is open to practitioners of all nationalities and disciplines with a minimum of five years of professional experience, whose work demonstrates a strong connection to the Balkan region and engages with contemporary issues.

Application deadline: May 15, 2026, 11:59pm (GMT +02:00) Europe/Tirana