Public Tender for Artists' Residencies at the Cankarjeva Residency Centre in Ljubljana (2026 - 2027)

1. Purpose and Objectives of the Call

The Republic of Slovenia Public Fund for Cultural Activities (Javni sklad Republike Slovenije za kulturne dejavnosti, hereinafter JSKD) is launching this call to promote:

– the development of creative, research, and educational projects;

– collaboration between artists and local creative communities;

– the exchange of knowledge, methods, and artistic practices;

– the active engagement of the amateur culture, young people, and the wider public.

The residency programme is aimed at concrete work with the selected target groups and not solely on individual creative workl.

2. Fields of the Call

Artists active in the following fields may apply under this call:

Theatre and Puppetry

Sub-fields:

– puppet and object theatre,

– physical theatre,

– ambient (site-specific) theatre,

– drama in education.

Residency requirements:

– Conduct of a workshop (minimum 8 hours);

– Engagement of amateur performers, school pupils and students, or other community groups.

Contact details:

Jan Pirnat, Theatre and Puppetry Adviser
Telephone No.: +386 1 24 10 528
E-mail: jan.pirnat@jskd.si

Visual arts

Sub-fields:

– All fields of visual art creation (drawing, photography, painting, sculpting, ceramics, mixed and experimental techniques, etc.).

Requirements:

– A workshop for adult participants (aged 16+) with a demonstration of innovative arts techniques, comprising between 8 and 54 teaching hours.

OR

– Development and implementation of a group creative project with a specific target group of adults (aged 16+), comprising between 20 and 54 teaching hours.

Additional guidelines for the preparation of the project plan

The description of the proposed project must include a clearly defined concept and the intended outcome of the residency.

The application must include:

– a work programme, comprising between 8 and 54 teaching hours;

– a definition of a target group;

– a list of necessary or anticipated materials and equipment, as well as a description of spatial requirements for implementation.

Applicants must attach the following to their application:

– a curriculum vitae (CV);

– a portfolio of their artistic work, including 10 to 20 reproductions.

The expected residency outcomes:

Implementation of educational, research, or creative project for a group of 7-14 participants (aged 16+), comprising between 8 and 54 teaching hours. The project may conclude with a public presentation of the outcomes (e.g. an exhibition, an online screening, etc.). Collaboration among amateur performers, school pupils and students, as well as international artists is encouraged, with a particular emphasis on the exchange of ideas, knowledge, techniques, and artistic approaches.

Preferred project implementation period:

1 June 2027 to 30 September 2027

Contact details:

Monika Ivančič Fajfar, Visual Arts Adviser
Telephone No.: +386 1 24 10 515
E-mail: monika.ivancic-fajfar@jskd.si

Literature

Sub-fields:

– creative writing;

– translation;

– literary criticism;

– all literary genres.

Requirements:

– Conduct of a workshop (minimum 8 hours): the possibility of collaboration of literary (young) authors, translators, literary theory and history professors, and editors of literary magazines;

– At least one public presentation (reading, discussion, round table, etc.).

Contact details:

mag. Barbara Rigler, Literature Adviser
Telephone No.: +386 1 32 09 572
E-mail: barbara.rigler@jskd.si

Dance

Sub-fields:

– dance art and interdisciplinary practices;

– dance theory, dramaturgy, and criticism;

– dance pedagogy.

Requirements:

– at least one (1) public presentation: a lecture and/or video presentation of the resident’s work, a workshop, a work-in-progress, or a performance (may be carried out in collaboration with local artists).

Contact details:

Nina Meško, Adviser for Dance Activities
Telephone No.: +386 1 24 10 522
E-mail: nina.mesko@jskd.si

3. Conditions and Scope of Support

– The residency includes free use of a furnished apartment in the centre of Ljubljana and access to some of JSKD’s workspaces (upon prior reservation).

– Financial support is not included: the call does not include a stipend or travel reimbursement.

– The residency may take place between 1 November 2026 and 31 December 2027. Applicants may consult in advance with the adviser responsible for the respective field of the call regarding the available residency periods and duration, as well as the facilities and material resources available for the implementation of the proposed project.

4. Facilities and Infrastructure

The following facilities are available:

– two furnished residential units;

– a multi-purpose room for rehearsals, creative gatherings, and exhibitions;

– Skladovnica Hall (with the maximum capacity of up to 50 people) suitable for film screenings, smaller drama performances and expert gatherings, art workshop.

The use of additional facilities is possible upon prior reservation and arrangement.
A detailed description of the residency facilities can be found here (link to document).

5. Selection Criteria

JSKD will select one (1) resident artist for each field of the call. The selection will be based on the following criteria:

– the quality and relevancy of the proposed project within the respective field of the call;

– the clarity and feasibility of the project plan.

6. Obligations of Selected Residents

The selected candidates shall be required to:

– implement the project in the proposed scope;

– conduct at least one public presentation;

– collaborate with JSKD and local partners;

– submit a final report upon completion of the residency.

7. Application Procedure

Application deadline: 24 July 2026

Application via the online application form

Application form

While completing the application form, applicants may consult the adviser responsible for the respective field of the call. The contact details of the advisers are provided in Section 2, Fields of the Call.

Applicants will be informed of the results of the call by 31 August 2026. Upon arrival, the residents are required to submit the necessary documents to register their stay.

8. Additional Information

Maja Papič Kardoš, Adviser to the Programme Director
E-mail: maja.papic@jskd.si
Telephone No.: +386 1 24 10 521
Mobile No.: +386 40 559 345