BOLSA ODEMIRA
2026 OPEN CALL
Applications for 2026 are closed.
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The current application is for the attendance of PADA 59 in September (1st-28th September 2026).
Bolsa Odemira is a bursary created with the support of Câmara Municipal de Odemira which will fund the attendance of 1 Odemira artist in our International Residency.
The current application is for the attendance of PADA 59 in September.
The awarded artist 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.
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Application is done via an Open Call.
This is what you will need to apply and begin your preparations:
- Personal details and contacts
- CV
- Cover letter introducing yourself and your motivation, including your relation with Barreiro (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) *
- Portfolio (max. 10 pages, 10MB)
- A few sentences about how your project will minimise its impact on the environment
* As an international residency, artists applying must be comfortable communicating in English; the application form you'll find ‘pt’ and ‘en’ fields to fill in with your artist statement and project proposal, all other entries must be written in English.
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.
PADA provides structured opportunities for artistic development through a programme of tours, presentations, critiques, and mentoring:
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Artists are taken to the Industrial Museum, where a local historian will do a brief introduction to the history of Companhia União Fabril (CUF). Artists that would like to work with the archives, can make further meetings.
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PADA provides a 2h walking tour to the restricted areas of the industrial park (old Sotinco Paint Factory and the North side of the Industrial Park) to introduce artists to the contemporary reality of the area.
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The curator of the residency prepares and conducts a tour to some galleries, artist-run spaces, artists’ studios and other exhibitions venues or projects in Lisbon. This is aimed to expand the artists network within Lisbon and showcase some of the Portuguese art scene.
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At the start of the residency, artists give a short, informal 10-minute introduction to their practice. These sessions are led by the residency curator and PADA’s founder, who also outline the programme ahead.
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Artists receive two in-depth studio visits with the curator—early and mid-residency—to discuss goals, ideas, and progress. These meetings support critical reflection and professional exchange.
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Mid-residency group critiques are held in the studios, offering artists the chance to present their work-in-progress and receive feedback from peers, the director, and curator.
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Final critiques are held in the gallery, where each artist presents up to three finished works. The session supports final exhibition planning and culminates in the selection of works for the concluding group show.
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 launched 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.
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 about the success of the application.
After receiving the invitation, within 14 days, 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. 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.
