On February 26, 2026, the ART-IN-RES Symposium took place. Organized annually by Nová síť as part of the Malá inventura festival, the event serves as a platform for sharing, reflection, and systematic discussion on residency practices in Europe.
This year’s edition was exceptional, as it marked the public launch of the new international project Bridging the A-I-R (BtAIR), in which Nová síť serves as the lead partner.
The BtAIR project addresses long-standing structural imbalances in the field of artist residencies, particularly underfunding and insufficient recognition of the role of host organizations. It focuses on strengthening their professional capacity, infrastructure, and standing within the cultural ecosystem. The project is supported by the Creative Europe program and will be implemented in six European countries.
The morning session of the Symposium was devoted to an internal kick-off meeting for the project partners. The afternoon program was open to the public and featured presentations on the project’s basic framework, partner organizations, planned activities, and expected impacts.
Representatives from international residency centers shared their experiences. Katharina Husemann and Sabine Gehm spoke on behalf of Schloss Bröllin, presenting the operations of the international residency space located in a historic site north of Berlin. They outlined its program focus, funding model, and the challenges associated with running a large-scale cultural center.
Sylvia Huszár presented the Hungarian METTRIN Arts Center. Located on Lake Bánki, the center hosts theater productions, concerts, cultural projects, and international residencies, operating within a unique natural and architectural setting.
The program also featured a presentation on funding opportunities for residencies offered by the International Visegrad Fund. Lenka Bučková outlined the program’s guidelines, provided recommendations for submitting applications, and shared examples of completed projects. There was also a presentation on the ART FARM project, which is part of the České Budějovice – European Capital of Culture 2028 initiative. The project focuses on connecting artist-in-residence programs in the South Bohemian Region and creating a long-term sustainable regional ecosystem.
The symposium concluded with a joint discussion on current opportunities for supporting artist residencies in the Czech Republic and a broader reflection on the conditions for cultural mobility.
The ART-IN-RES 2026 symposium confirmed that creating a high-quality and fair environment for both artists and host organizations is essential for the development of a democratic and open society. The meeting also symbolically launched a multi-year collaboration within the Bridging the A-I-R project, which seeks systemic changes in the field of artist residencies in Europe.
HERE you can download the press release
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With the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the Prague City Hall.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or [name of the granting authority]. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
