BOLSA ODEMIRA
2025 OPEN CALL
Applications for Bolsa Odemira 2025 are now open. Application deadline is 15th July 2025 and artists will be notified by 23rd July 2025.
PADA is proud to announce support of Câmara Municipal de Odemira which will fund the attendance of 1 Odemira artist in our International Residency in September 2025.
Bolsa Odemira is a bursary for artists originally from or living in Odemira to participate in PADA's 53rd international residency (3rd - 30th September 2025).
Awarded artists will benefit from all features included in the international residency programme. This includes studio space and access to all PADA facilities, accommodation, programme of activities, curatorial and technical guidance, final group exhibition, open studios and other events, plus professional documentation of their work.
Make sure you read and familiarise yourself with the program and the residency guidelines before applying.
The residency includes
Programme of Activities and Support
We believe dialogue is important for a rich studio practice, and the residency programme has been developed with this in mind. By organising monthly activities, artists have the opportunity to engage with each other and develop new contacts. The activities include:
Group presentations and critiques
Curatorial guidance
Technical assistance and workshop induction
Visits to museums, galleries and art studios in Lisbon led by PADA
History Presentation by the Industrial Museum and Tour of the Industrial Park
Opportunity to propose site-specific projects, presentations, workshops and other projects
Final exhibition in the gallery at PADA
Documentation of the group show
Production of individual films for each artist documenting their studio practice
Facilities
36 m2 studio
Accommodation in a private double bedroom
Access to all PADA Studios facilities, including gallery and workshop
Access to the restricted areas of the Industrial Park
The Bursary
In 2025 PADA is launching a residency bursary exclusive to artists that are originally from or are based in Odemira. This bursary covers the international residency participation fee, however, does not include a pecuniary grant, materials nor meals. The bursary is funded by Câmara Municipal de Odemira.
How to apply
Application is done via an Open Call.
This Open Call deadline is the 15th July 2025 and artists will be notified by 23rd July 2025.
This is what you will need to apply and begin your preparations:
Personal details and contacts
Proof of Municipality of Odemira as place of birth or current residency
Cover letter introducing yourself and your motivation (max. 300 words)
Artist statement describing your practice/research and areas of interest (max. 300 words)
Project proposal indicating any particular project you would like to propose for the residency (max. 300 words)
Optional workshop or other event proposal (max. 200 words)
Portfolio (max. 10 pages, 10MB)
CV
A few sentences about how your project will minimise its impact on the environment
A few sentences on why you want to do the residency and your expectations of it
As an international residency, artists applying must be comfortable communicating in English and application must be written in English. However, artist statement and project proposal may be written in Portuguese, as long as an English translation is provided.
Selection criteria
• Quality of work and commitment
• Applications that take into consideration PADA´s unique location and facilities
• Unique perspective and approach
• Interest and willingness to work and live in a community of artists
• Clarity and focus of proposal
After applying
Artists will be informed by the 23rd July about the success of the application.
After receiving the invitation, a 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.
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.
Residencies will begin and end in the indicated dates, so artists should arrange transport to arrive or depart accordingly. Recipients of this grant may hold commitments outside the residence. However, they are still expected to use the studios regularly and participate in all the programme’s activities.
The Check-In and Checkout shall happen within PADA’s team working hours (Monday to Friday 11am to 5pm).If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Cover image: detail of Cobblestones (2025), by E. Saffronia Downing. Photo by Samuel Duarte.