ALUMNI STUDIO

Applications for 2026 Alumni Studio are open throughout the year.


The Alumni Studio programme provides the opportunity for PADA alumni to return to continue a project they started or simply to come back to visit us in Barreiro.

Candidates are welcome to apply for periods of 1 month or 2 months. The provisional residency periods are as following:

  • 2nd January - 29th January

    (Coinciding with PADA 55)

  • 3rd February - 31st March

    (Coinciding with PADA 56)

  • 3rd February - 2nd March

    (Coinciding with 1st month of PADA 56)

  • 4th March - 31st March

    (Coinciding with 2nd month of PADA 56)

  • 8th July - 3rd August

    (Conciding with 2nd month of PADA 58)

  • 1st September - 28th September

    (Coinciding with PADA 59)

  • 6th October - 30th November

    (Coinciding with PADA 60)

  • 6th October - 2nd November

    (Coinciding with 1st month of PADA 60)

  • 4th November - 30th November

    (Coinciding with 2nd month of PADA 60)

There will be a preference for applications that fully align with the International Residency (i.e. we may prioritise an applicant that chooses February-March, rather those that choose February or March alone).

Make sure you read and familiarise yourself with the program and the residency guidelines before applying. 

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Last year I did a 1 month residency at PADA. I wanted to challenge myself to look for a different way of working. I ended up working with found objects from the Industrial Park, which I ultimately want to translate into ceramics. Almost 1 year later I am very grateful that thanks to the Mondrian Fund I can focus on my research in ceramics for the next 6 months.

In these 6 months I will return to PADA and the Industrial Park to collect new objects and materials. After that I will make a ceramic trip through Portugal and France to visit inspiring ceramic places. Back in the Netherlands I will doing a 3-month ceramic residency at Cool Clay Collective. During this residency I will translate all the found materials and combined sculptures which I made during my first and second time at PADA.

Photos and quote by Britte Koolen (PADA 41, 2023 / alumni 2024)

The residency includes

The opportunity will be in line with the International Residency Programme and participants are welcome to join in with all social aspects of the programme. We hope this will bring diversity to the activities at PADA and increase the trans-disciplinary nature of the residency as a whole.

The residency includes:

  • Private double bedroom within a shared cottage in Santa Barbara

  • 36m2 studio space at PADA

  • Access to workshops and facilities at PADA

  • Access to facilities at PADA

  • Introduction tours and presentations day

  • Gallery tours

  • 1-2-1 with the curator

Participants will not present at critiques or be included in the international residency group show.

How to apply

This is a rolling call, therefore artists can apply throughout the year, bearing in mind that its best to apply with at least a two months difference between application and date of start.

This is what you will need to apply and begin your preparations:

- Personal details and contacts

- Preferred periods

- Cover letter updating us on what have you been working since PADA and why do you want to return (max. 300 words)

- A PDF with an updated artist statement, an updated portfolio and an outline of the work you plan to carry out at PADA. It can include images, text and links (max. 10 pages, 10MB)

- CV

- A few sentences how your project will minimise its impact on the environment

Selection criteria

We will select returning artists based on their proposed project and how it aligns with the International Residency Programme.

After applying

After receiving the invitation the artist will be asked to pay a 50% deposit to hold their place in the program within 14 days and two-part agreement between the prospective resident and PADA will be signed. A copy of that agreement can be requested in advance should you have any questions.

Cancellations have to be announced with as much notice as possible. The deposit is not refundable in case of short cancellation.

Residencies will begin and end in the indicated dates, so artists should arrange transport to arrive or depart accordingly. The Check-In and Checkout shall happen within PADA’s team working hours (Monday to Friday 11am to 5pm).

We encourage artists to apply for individual funding to cover the residency costs. Make sure to inform us as soon as possible when applying for funding. We help all successful applicants with letters of support.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.