ON SITE — a fully funded residency in Portugal with participation in the Hypertextile Biennale 2027
This is a residency for artists working with textiles and visual practices, offering professional immersion in the Portuguese context and participation in the international Hypertextile Biennale. The residency is designed for artists seeking to expand their practice and engage with contemporary textile-based and material approaches.
The ON SITE program offers artists a full cycle of work — from research and production to public presentation within the framework of Hypertextile 2027, one of the leading European platforms for contemporary textile art.
ON SITE is an official partner of the European Hypertextile Biennale 2027, ensuring strong institutional integration. Residencies take place in Portugal, with direct connection to the biennale’s curatorial and professional network.
Within this program, textiles are explored not only as a craft or technique, but as a critical medium for reflecting on territory, memory, and the contemporary world — through material, process, and interaction with place.
Residency format and duration
The program is designed for five artists and takes place in May–June 2026. Over four weeks, participants work in a focused studio environment, developing individual or research-based projects.
The residency consists of two phases: research and production, followed by preparation for public presentation. After the residency, artists’ works may be selected for inclusion in the Hypertextile 2027 Biennale exhibition program, subject to curatorial selection.
An important feature of this residency is its open-ended outcome: the final format of presentation is flexible and determined by the nature of each project. It may take the form of an exhibition, installation, or research-based presentation.
Who the residency is for
The residency is open to artists aged 25+, working in the fields of visual art, design, textiles, and interdisciplinary practices.
Both emerging and established artists are eligible. Formal education is not mandatory, but applicants must demonstrate a clear artistic vision and a coherent practice.
The program is particularly suited to artists whose work explores materiality, textile practices, cultural memory, social histories, identity, or place. Projects may engage with traditional textile methods as well as experimental and contemporary approaches.
Grant and support for artists
ON SITE is a fully funded residency. Each selected artist receives:
accommodation for the duration of the residency,
studio space and production facilities,
access to professional equipment and materials,
coverage of travel expenses,
nstitutional and curatorial support.
Artists also receive professional guidance throughout the residency and support in preparing projects for potential presentation within the biennale framework.
This structure allows participants to focus entirely on research and artistic development, without administrative or financial pressure.
Why this opportunity is especially valuable
ON SITE offers direct entry into a major European biennale context. Artists work within a professional ecosystem that connects local Portuguese contexts with international curatorial networks.
Participation provides valuable visibility within the European art scene, particularly for artists working with material- and textile-based practices.
The residency is especially relevant for artists interested in international mobility, cross-cultural dialogue, and site-specific or research-driven work.
Final deadline: 31 January 2026.
