Deadline: 16-Jun-2026
The Low-Tech Projection Lab is a 21-day international residency programme that brings together five visual artists from across Europe to explore analog projection, low-tech visual creation, and collaborative artistic experimentation. Through hands-on learning, collective research, and creative production, participants will investigate sustainable visual art practices using recycled technologies and experimental projection techniques.
The residency combines technical skill-building, artistic collaboration, and community engagement, culminating in a public presentation during the Visiophare Festival in partnership with the CROCOSMOS collective and local artists.
About the Residency
The Low-Tech Projection Lab is designed for artists interested in experimental visual practices, analog media, sustainable technologies, and collaborative creation. The programme encourages participants to explore alternative approaches to projection art by repurposing existing technologies and developing environmentally conscious creative methods.
Artists will work together throughout the residency, sharing knowledge, testing ideas, and creating new visual experiences through collective experimentation.
Programme Objectives
The residency aims to:
- Explore analog and low-tech projection techniques
- Promote sustainable artistic practices
- Encourage experimentation with recycled technologies
- Support collaborative artistic research
- Foster international cultural exchange
- Develop innovative visual creation methods
- Build connections between artists and local communities
- Showcase experimental visual works through a public presentation
The programme emphasizes process-driven artistic exploration rather than traditional production-focused outcomes.
Residency Focus Areas
Eco Projector Construction
A key component of the residency involves building environmentally conscious projection devices.
Participants will:
- Transform recycled overhead projectors into LED projectors
- Learn low-tech hardware adaptation techniques
- Explore sustainable approaches to visual production
- Experiment with custom-built projection systems
These eco projectors will become tools for artistic experimentation throughout the residency.
Analog Projection Techniques
Artists will explore a variety of analog visual methods.
Techniques may include:
- Liquid projection
- Hand-drawn projection methods
- Analog image manipulation
- Experimental light-based practices
- Projection layering techniques
- Real-time visual experimentation
The programme encourages participants to push the creative possibilities of analog media.
Low-Tech Mapping and Visual Creation
Residents will investigate alternative forms of visual storytelling and projection.
Areas of exploration include:
- Low-tech mapping techniques
- Site-responsive visual interventions
- Experimental projection installations
- Collaborative visual compositions
- Interactive analog visuals
Projects may evolve through collective research and shared creative processes.
Collective Artistic Research
The residency places strong emphasis on collaboration.
Participants will engage in:
- Group experimentation
- Peer learning
- Collaborative creation sessions
- Artistic knowledge exchange
- Research-based creative development
- Collective problem-solving
Artists are encouraged to contribute their own perspectives while learning from others in the group.
Public Presentation
The residency concludes with a public showcase of the work developed during the programme.
The presentation will:
- Take place during the Visiophare Festival
- Be developed in collaboration with the CROCOSMOS collective
- Involve engagement with local artists and communities
- Share creative outcomes from the residency process
The final presentation serves as an opportunity to connect artistic research with public audiences.
Residency Duration
Selected participants must be available for the entire residency period.
Key dates include:
- Residency period: 14 September – 4 October 2026
- Duration: 21 days
Full participation throughout the residency is mandatory.
Who Can Apply?
The residency is open to visual artists from eligible Creative Europe countries and territories.
Applicants must:
- Be visual artists
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be residents of a Creative Europe eligible country or territory
- Be available for the full residency period
- Be comfortable working in English
The programme welcomes artists from diverse creative backgrounds and levels of professional experience.
Eligible Applicants
The residency is open to:
- Emerging visual artists
- Mid-career artists
- Established artists
- Self-taught artists
- Artists with formal arts education
- Artists from interdisciplinary backgrounds
No specific academic qualification is required.
Ineligible Applicants
Applicants are not eligible if they:
- Reside in France
- Are under 18 years of age
- Cannot attend the full residency period
- Have been selected for another Culture Moves Europe residency project between 2025 and 2028
Applicants should carefully review eligibility requirements before applying.
Working Language
The primary working language during the residency will be:
- English
Participants should have sufficient English proficiency to engage in workshops, discussions, and collaborative activities.
Financial Support
Selected artists will receive financial support to assist with participation costs.
Accommodation
Participants will receive:
- Accommodation provided by CROCOSMOS throughout the residency
Daily Allowance
Selected residents will receive:
- €30 per day for food and local transport
- Total allowance of €630 for the 21-day residency
Travel Support
Travel grants are available based on distance travelled.
Participants may receive:
- €400 for travel distances under 5,000 km
- €800 for travel distances above 5,000 km
Additional Support
Additional financial assistance may be available for eligible participants.
Support options include:
- Green travel support: €400
- Child support: €200 per child under 18
- Visa support: €120
- Accessibility support based on individual needs
These measures are designed to improve accessibility and participation.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed based on programme criteria and residency objectives.
The selection process seeks artists who demonstrate:
- Interest in experimental visual practices
- Openness to collaboration
- Motivation to engage in collective research
- Curiosity about analog projection techniques
- Commitment to sustainable artistic approaches
The programme values diversity of artistic perspectives and experiences.
Notification of Results
Successful applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by:
- 22 June 2026 at the latest
Selected artists should be prepared to confirm participation promptly following notification.
Why This Residency Matters
As artists increasingly explore sustainable and alternative creative practices, low-tech and analog approaches offer new possibilities for innovation and experimentation. The Low-Tech Projection Lab creates a space where artists can investigate environmentally conscious technologies while developing new artistic methods through collaboration.
The residency helps:
- Promote sustainable art practices
- Preserve and reinvent analog visual techniques
- Foster international artistic exchange
- Encourage collaborative creativity
- Support experimentation with accessible technologies
- Strengthen connections between artists and communities
By combining technical exploration with artistic research, the programme contributes to the development of innovative contemporary visual practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for the Low-Tech Projection Lab?
Visual artists aged 18 or older who reside in a Creative Europe eligible country or territory, excluding France. - How many artists will be selected?
Five visual artists will participate in the residency. - How long is the residency?
The programme lasts 21 days, from 14 September to 4 October 2026. - Is accommodation provided?
Yes. Accommodation is provided by CROCOSMOS for all selected participants. - What financial support is available?
Participants receive a daily allowance of €30, travel support of up to €800 depending on distance, and additional support for green travel, children, visas, and accessibility needs. - Do applicants need formal arts qualifications?
No. The residency is open to artists from all educational backgrounds and experience levels. - When will applicants be notified of the results?
Selected applicants will be informed by 22 June 2026 at the latest.
Conclusion
The Low-Tech Projection Lab Residency 2026 offers a unique opportunity for European visual artists to explore analog projection, sustainable creative technologies, and collaborative artistic research. Through hands-on experimentation, eco-projector construction, and collective learning, participants will develop innovative visual practices while engaging with an international artistic community. With accommodation, travel support, and daily allowances provided, the residency creates an accessible platform for artists to experiment, collaborate, and present their work at the Visiophare Festival.
For more information, visit Crocosmos.