RESEARCH RESIDENCY
2027 OPEN CALL
Applications for Research Residency 2027 are open from the 19th of May 2026. Application deadline is the 15th of June 2026 and artists will be notified by the 24th of June 2026.
The Research Residency is designed to appeal to those who want to spend time with the community at PADA but don’t need a studio space. Aimed at writers, curators, researchers or desk based artists, this residency will provide accommodation and a work space at PADA studios.
Candidates are welcome to apply for periods of 1 or 2 months. The provisional residency periods are as following:
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+ 5th January - 1st February (coinciding with PADA 61)
+ 4th February - 31st March (coinciding with PADA 62)
+ 4th February - 2nd March (first month of PADA 62)
+ 4th March - 31st March (second month of PADA 62)
+ 3rd June - 28th July (coinciding with PADA 64)
+ 3rd June - 29th June (first month of PADA 64)
+ 1st July - 28th July (second month of PADA 64)
+ 2nd September - 29th September (coinciding with PADA 65)
+ 14th October - 8th December (coinciding with PADA 66)
+ 14th October - 9th November (first month of PADA 66)
+ 11th November - 8th December (second month of PADA 66)
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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Application is done via an Open Call.
This is what you will need to apply and begin your preparations:Personal details and contacts
Preferred periods
Cover letter introducing yourself and your motivation (max. 300 words)
A PDF with relevant work info, including information on your practice (artist statement or short bio and portfolio) and on the research you want to undertake at PADA. It can include images, text and links (max. 10 pages, 10MB)
CV
Optional talk or other event proposal (max. 200 words)
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.
Applications are done via an Open Call. The cost is €650 for 1 month or €1200 for 2 months. PADA is not-for-profit association and currently receives very limited financial support. We encourage selected artists to apply for personal funding to cover all costs involved.
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, residents have the opportunity to engage with each other and develop new contacts. 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.
PADA provides structured opportunities for artistic development through a programme of tours, presentations, critiques, and mentoring.
Participants will not present at critiques or be included in the international residency group show.
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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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In each month of the residency artists will receive 1 to 2 in-depth studio visits with the curator to discuss goals, ideas, and progress. These meetings support critical reflection and professional exchange.
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Visiting curators present their curatorial practice and meet individually with each artist for brief studio visits.
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On the last Saturday of each International Residency period, Open Studios are held and this encompasses all artist-in-residence.
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
Facilities
A dedicated desk space
Accommodation in a private double bedroom
Access to the restricted areas of the Industrial Park
After applying
Candidates will be informed by 24th of June 2026 about the success of the application.
After receiving the invitation the prospective resident will be asked to sign a two-part agreement between PADA and them (within few days) and to pay a 50% deposit to hold their place in the program (within 14 days). 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.
Please note that the undertaking of a residency is a commitment, with financial and other responsibilities related to the community of artists, facilities and operations here at PADA.We encourage residents 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.
