ALUMNI STUDIO

2025 open call

Applications for Spring/Summer 2025 Alumni Studio are now open. Application deadline is the 5th December 2024 and artists will be notified by 10th December 2024.

The Alumni Studio programme provides the opportunity for PADA alumni to return to continue a project they started or simply to come back to visit us in Barreiro.

Candidates are welcome to apply for periods of 2 weeks (minimum stay of 2 weeks, no maximum stay). The provisional residency periods are as following:

1. 28th February - 13th March

2. 14th March - 27th March

3. 3rd April - 14th April

4. 15th April - 28th April

5. 29th April - 12th May

6. 13th May - 26th May

7. 3rd June - 16th June

8. 17th June - 30th June

9. 1st July - 14th July

10. 15th July - 28th July

11. 30th July - 12th August

12. 13th August - 26th August

13. September 3rd - 16th September

14. 17th September - 30th September

Preferred periods and duration of the stay is asked on the application form. We aim to schedule in line with the international residency as far as possible. There is some flexibility in the dates and in some cases depending on the schedule days can be added pro rata.

Make sure you read and familiarise yourself with the program and the residency guidelines before applying. 

IMG_0188.jpg
IMG_0223.jpg
IMG_0296.jpg
IMG_0345_1.jpg

Last year I did a 1 month residency at PADA. I wanted to challenge myself to look for a different way of working. I ended up working with found objects from the Industrial Park, which I ultimately want to translate into ceramics. Almost 1 year later I am very grateful that thanks to the Mondrian Fund I can focus on my research in ceramics for the next 6 months.
In these 6 months I will return to PADA and the Industrial Park to collect new objects and materials. After that I will make a ceramic trip through Portugal and France to visit inspiring ceramic places. Back in the Netherlands I will be doing a 3-month ceramic residency at Cool Clay Collective. During this residency I will translate all the found materials and combined sculptures which I made during my first and second time at PADA.
After the 6 months research I will show my final works during a solo-exhibition at Galerie Bart.

Photos and statement by Britte Koolen (PADA 41, 2023 / alumni 2024)

The residency includes

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.

The residency includes:

  • Private double bedroom within a shared cottage in Santa Barbara

  • 36m2 studio space at PADA 

  • Access to workshops and facilities at PADA

  • Access to facilities at PADA

  • Introduction tours and presentations day

  • Gallery tours

  • 1-2-1 with the curator

Participants will not present at critiques or be included in the international residency group show.

How to apply

Application is done via an Open Call.

This Open Call deadline is 1st December and artists will be notified by 3rd Decmber, 2024.

This is what you will need to apply and begin your preparations:

  • Personal details and contacts

  • Preferred periods

  • Cover letter updating us on what have you been working since PADA and why do you want to return (max. 300 words)

  • A PDF with an updated artist statement, an updated portfolio and an outline of the work you plan to carry out at PADA. It can include images, text and links (max. 10 pages, 12MB)

  • CV

  • A few sentences how your project will minimise its impact on the environment

Selection criteria

We will select returning artists based on their proposed project and how it aligns with the International Residency Programme.

After applying

Artists will be informed by the 10th December about the success of the application.

After receiving the invitation the artist will be asked to pay a 50% deposit to hold their place in the program within 14 days and 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. The deposit is not refundable in case of short cancellation.

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.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.