Open Call: Living Heritage – Ukrainian Artists in Community Residency Programme

Deadline: 10-Jun-2026

Living Heritage – Ukrainian Artists in Community Residency is a fully supported three-week residency programme in Zebegény, Hungary, designed for young Ukrainian visual artists. The programme combines artistic development, community art practice, intercultural collaboration, and public engagement while providing opportunities to share Ukrainian culture, heritage, and contemporary perspectives with local and international audiences.

Selected artists receive accommodation, artistic materials, daily financial support, travel assistance, and mentorship while participating in workshops, collaborative projects, and community-based activities during Waldorfeszt.

Programme Overview

Living Heritage – Ukrainian Artists in Community Residency is an international cultural residency that supports young Ukrainian visual artists through a combination of creative practice, community engagement, intercultural exchange, and collaborative learning.

The residency takes place in Zebegény, Hungary, and encourages participants to explore how art can strengthen dialogue, cultural understanding, and community participation. Artists develop their own creative projects while contributing to collective activities that connect Ukrainian cultural heritage with local communities and festival audiences.

The programme creates opportunities for artistic growth, cultural representation, and meaningful public engagement through community art methodologies and collaborative creative processes.

Programme Objectives

The residency aims to:

• Support emerging Ukrainian visual artists.
• Promote Ukrainian cultural heritage and contemporary perspectives.
• Strengthen community art practices.
• Encourage intercultural dialogue and collaboration.
• Develop public engagement skills through artistic activities.
• Foster creative exchange between artists and communities.
• Build international professional networks.
• Encourage collaborative and socially engaged artistic practices.

Residency Location

The residency is hosted in Zebegény, Hungary.

Participants will be accommodated near:

• Szőnyi Art Camp
• Waldorfeszt festival area
• Community activity venues
• Artistic workshop spaces

The location provides an environment for artistic creation, cultural exchange, and direct engagement with local communities and festival visitors.

Number of Residency Places

The programme is open to:

• Five young Ukrainian visual artists

A small cohort allows participants to receive personalized support while engaging in collaborative and community-focused activities.

Key Focus Areas

The residency combines multiple areas of artistic and community practice, including:

• Visual arts
• Community art
• Participatory arts
• Intercultural collaboration
• Cultural heritage interpretation
• Public engagement
• Creative facilitation
• Arts education
• Socially engaged art
• Contemporary Ukrainian culture
• Community-based learning
• Collaborative artistic production

What Is Community Art?

Community art is an artistic approach that actively involves communities in the creative process.

Rather than creating work solely for audiences, community art encourages:

• Participation and collaboration.
• Shared creative experiences.
• Community dialogue.
• Social engagement.
• Collective storytelling.
• Cultural exchange.

During the residency, artists will learn practical community art methodologies and apply them through real-world activities involving local residents and festival participants.

Residency Activities

Participants will engage in a structured programme that combines individual artistic work with collaborative community engagement.

Key activities include:

• Community art workshops.
• Artistic skills development.
• Collaborative project planning.
• Cultural exchange sessions.
• Festival-based public engagement.
• Reflection and evaluation activities.
• Documentation and knowledge-sharing exercises.

Individual Artistic Development

Artists will have dedicated time to:

• Develop personal artistic projects.
• Explore themes related to identity, culture, and heritage.
• Experiment with community-based artistic methods.
• Integrate Ukrainian cultural narratives into their creative work.
• Receive guidance and support throughout the residency.

Community Art Workshops

Residents will participate in workshops focused on:

• Community art methodologies.
• Participatory facilitation techniques.
• Creative engagement strategies.
• Collaborative project design.
• Intercultural communication skills.
• Public participation methods.

These workshops help artists build skills for working effectively with diverse communities.

Waldorfeszt Festival Participation

A major component of the residency is active participation in Waldorfeszt.

Artists will:

• Co-design community art activities.
• Facilitate participatory creative experiences.
• Engage directly with festival visitors.
• Support intercultural dialogue through artistic expression.
• Present Ukrainian culture through creative programming.

Ukraine-Themed Information Tent

Residents will collaboratively contribute to a dedicated Ukraine-themed tent during the festival.

Activities may include:

• Presenting Ukrainian culture and traditions.
• Sharing contemporary Ukrainian perspectives.
• Introducing Ukrainian artistic heritage.
• Facilitating discussions and interactive experiences.
• Encouraging cultural exchange with visitors.

The tent serves as a platform for education, awareness, and intercultural understanding.

Programme Structure

The residency follows a structured three-week format.

Week 1: Orientation and Community Art Learning

Participants will:

• Arrive and settle into the residency.
• Receive orientation and local introductions.
• Participate in community art workshops.
• Explore collaborative methodologies.
• Begin developing individual project concepts.

Week 2: Artistic Development and Project Design

Artists will:

• Advance individual artistic projects.
• Collaboratively design community activities.
• Prepare festival engagement plans.
• Develop participatory artistic experiences.
• Refine concepts for public presentation.

Week 3: Festival Implementation and Reflection

Participants will:

• Lead community art activities at Waldorfeszt.
• Operate and contribute to the Ukraine-themed tent.
• Engage with festival audiences.
• Document learning outcomes.
• Participate in evaluation and reflection sessions.

Financial Support

Selected artists receive comprehensive support throughout the residency.

Benefits include:

• No participation fee.
• Free accommodation in Zebegény.
• Access to artistic materials and tools.
• Residency coordination and mentorship.
• Local guidance and orientation.
• Daily allowance of €30 per person per day.
• Travel support.
• Additional eligible travel top-ups where applicable.

Final travel support amounts will be determined according to travel distance and programme eligibility criteria.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a young Ukrainian visual artist.
• Work in any visual arts medium.
• Have an interest in community art practices.
• Be willing to engage in collaborative projects.
• Be interested in sharing Ukrainian culture and heritage.
• Be comfortable participating in public-facing activities.
• Be open to intercultural learning and exchange.
• Be able to communicate in English, which is the working language of the programme.

Desired Applicant Profile

The programme is particularly suited to artists who:

• Enjoy collaborative creative processes.
• Have an interest in socially engaged art.
• Value cultural exchange and dialogue.
• Want to expand their community engagement skills.
• Are interested in participatory artistic practices.
• Wish to represent Ukrainian culture internationally.

Why This Residency Matters

The residency provides more than artistic production opportunities.

It helps participants:

• Develop international artistic networks.
• Learn practical community art methodologies.
• Gain experience in public engagement.
• Promote Ukrainian culture internationally.
• Build intercultural communication skills.
• Explore socially engaged artistic practice.
• Contribute to cultural understanding and solidarity.

The programme also strengthens cultural exchange between Ukrainian artists and local communities through meaningful collaborative experiences.

How to Apply

Step 1: Review Eligibility Requirements

Confirm that you meet all residency criteria and are comfortable participating in community-based and public-facing activities.

Step 2: Prepare Your Artistic Materials

Gather materials that demonstrate:

• Artistic practice and experience.
• Visual portfolio.
• Previous creative projects.
• Community or collaborative work, if applicable.

Step 3: Demonstrate Interest in Community Art

Clearly explain:

• Why you are interested in community art.
• How you would contribute to collaborative activities.
• Your interest in cultural exchange and public engagement.

Step 4: Explain Your Artistic Vision

Describe:

• Your artistic practice.
• Themes you explore.
• How Ukrainian culture or heritage informs your work.
• Potential ideas for residency participation.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete the application process according to programme requirements and provide all requested supporting materials.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Present a clear and cohesive artistic portfolio.
• Demonstrate openness to collaboration.
• Highlight community engagement experience.
• Explain your interest in intercultural exchange.
• Show enthusiasm for public participation activities.
• Connect your artistic practice to cultural storytelling.
• Clearly communicate your goals for the residency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting an incomplete portfolio.
• Failing to explain interest in community art.
• Ignoring the collaborative nature of the residency.
• Providing vague artistic statements.
• Overlooking public engagement requirements.
• Not demonstrating willingness to work in an intercultural environment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can apply for the residency?

The residency is open to five young Ukrainian visual artists working in any visual arts medium.

Is there a participation fee?

No. There is no participation fee for selected participants.

What financial support is provided?

Residents receive accommodation, artistic materials, coordination support, a daily allowance of €30 per day, travel support, and eligible travel top-ups.

What language will be used during the residency?

English is the working language used for programme coordination, workshops, and collaborative activities.

What is the main focus of the residency?

The programme combines artistic development, community art practice, intercultural collaboration, and public engagement.

What role do artists play during Waldorfeszt?

Artists co-design and facilitate community art activities, engage with festival visitors, and contribute to the Ukraine-themed information tent.

Can artists working in any medium apply?

Yes. The residency is open to visual artists working across different media and artistic disciplines.

Conclusion

Living Heritage – Ukrainian Artists in Community Residency offers a unique opportunity for young Ukrainian visual artists to combine artistic development with community engagement, cultural exchange, and international collaboration. Through workshops, participatory projects, festival activities, and cultural storytelling, the programme supports artists in expanding their practice while promoting Ukrainian heritage, strengthening intercultural understanding, and building meaningful connections with diverse communities.

For more information, visit Public Space.