About The Program

Intermix Residency | Art & Fashion Reimagined is a fully funded, multi-cycle residency program established by the Saudi Visual Arts Commission in collaboration with Fashion Commission in JAX, located in the historical district of Ad Diriyah. The program aims to provide emerging and mid-career Saudi and international visual artists, fashion designers, and curators with the opportunity to experiment and collaborate in a creative environment.

The Program’s second iteration will consist of three ten-week residency cycles, each bringing together fifteen residents coming from various backgrounds and specializations. Throughout the cycles, the residents will have the opportunity to capitalize on the space and the various programs where cross-disciplinary exploration and experimentation are encouraged. The residents will be invited to develop personal or collaborative work during their residency which will culminate with a two-day open studio event open to the public.

Intermix Residency | Art & Fashion Reimagined aims to promote and celebrate a shared creative visual language by highlighting the expressive potential of visual arts and fashion design, and curation.

Application Now Closed

The Intermix Residency Program's second iteration will accept applications through three submission windows corresponding to each residency cycle. The Program welcomes applications by Saudi nationals,residents and international emerging and mid-career visual artists, fashion designers, and curators aged 21 or above who are willing to develop a production or research-based project related to the topics of innovation, transformation, and sustainability. Eligible candidates must demonstrate a strong interest in cross-disciplinary collaborative production, peer learning, and collective learning.

The selection will be carried out by a committee of specialists in the fields of visual arts and fashion.

Please refer to the Additional Information section to learn more about the residency program and how to apply.

Location

Jax district, Ad Diriyah, Riyadh, KSA.

Duration

10 weeks

Dates of the Third Cycle

Between June and July 2024.

Applications are now closed.

Additional Information

The Program

In line with the general program's objectives of contributing to strengthening the residents' readiness and ability to actively participate in the cultural sector in the Kingdom and beyond, each residency cycle will incorporate a number of interconnected different components.
Studio work will be complemented by weekly workshops and collaborative exercises aimed at unleashing processes of knowledge transfer and cross-disciplinary investigations among peers. The program will be enriched by mentored portfolio reading sessions, a series of talks and discussions, studio visits, cultural tours (in and outside Riyadh), as well as a two-day public open studio event.
Each cycle will welcome seven visual artists, seven fashion designers and one curator. This structure may vary according to the number and caliber of applications received for each category.
The program will be organized and facilitated by the residency team, in collaboration with local and international experts.
The Residency Program offers the following:
● An individual working studio space.
● Accommodation within walking distance of the studios.
● Shared facilities.
● Economy round-trip airfare to and from Riyadh.
● Visa issuance facilitation for international selected participants.
● A monthly support to cover personal and living expenses for the duration of the Program.
● An allocated production grant is provided, determined by the residency team's assessment of the project's specific needs and requirements.
● Transportation to and from planned group excursions within Riyadh.
● Transportation and lodging for a cultural exploration trip outside of Riyadh.

Application Requirements

All applications will be thoroughly reviewed by a committee of local and international visual arts and fashion experts.
The successful candidate’s application will include details on
1) Their area of expertise and interests.
2) The relevance of the local context and the topics of innovation, transformation, and sustainability in their practice.
3) Their motivation for applying to this residency program and how it will help advance their career.
4) The project that they intend to work on during their residency.
As shown in the following sections, each of these four points can be outlined in succinct written statements of up to 300 words:

Artist or Designer Statement

The statement must express and provide details regarding the person's educational background, professional experiences, interests, creative practices, and areas of focus.
(Limited to 350 words)

Motivation

A brief statement explaining why the applicant chose to apply for this residency and how the program will help to advance their practice.
(Limited to 300 words)

Project Proposal

Applicants are required to provide a proposal description that includes a brief overview of the project they wish to pursue, specifying whether it is production- or research-based, and describing whether it is new work or an ongoing project. Residents who continue to develop work in progress will be responsible for transporting any existing components to the Riyadh studio spaces.
(Limited to 500 words)

Project Alignment with the Residency's Topics

A description of how and in what ways the proposed project relates to the innovation, sustainability, and transformation themes as well as the Saudi Arabian context locally.
(Limited to 350 words)

Portfolio

A portfolio that best represents the applicant's work, including but not limited to examples of the applicant's most recent artworks or projects, exhibitions, text and/or publications, etc.

CV & Biography

The application must include a copy of the applicant's most recent curriculum vitae and biography.

Eligibility Criteria

Age

All applicants must be at least 21 years old at the start of the residency.

Language Proficiency

Proficiency in Arabic and/or English.

Nationality

Saudi nationals, residents, and international participants of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

Practice

Emerging and mid-career professionals in the visual arts, fashion design, and curation who can demonstrate prior experience in creating a body of artworks, curatorial projects, or fashion design in either the academic or professional sectors.

Commitment

Applicants who can commit to actively engage on-site in Riyadh for the duration of the 10-week cycle and are willing to develop a creative or research-based project that focuses on the themes of innovation, transformation, and sustainability in relation to the intersection of visual arts and fashion design. The selected resident curator for each cycle will be invited to participate in the planning of the open studios.

Completed Applications

Only applications submitted through our website and the online application form will be evaluated; incomplete applications will not be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs about the Intermix Residency | Art & Fashion Reimagined

What is a residency?

Residencies typically provide support and tools for artists and designers who want to experiment with new practices. The Intermix Residency | Art & Fashion Reimagined Program will provide artists and fashion designers with a temporary creative space away from the distractions of everyday life. Residents will have the opportunity to meet other passionate and creative practitioners while living and working onsite, and to spend that time in research and/or production in their own studios.

Who manages the Intermix Residency | Art & Fashion Reimagined Program?

The residency is developed by the Visual Arts Commission (VAC) in collaboration with the Fashion Commission (FC) of the Ministry of Culture to provide opportunities for innovation and engagement between the disciplines of visual arts and fashion in a residency program. This edition of the multidisciplinary residency program will be managed and overseen by an experienced local and international team.

Where will the residency take place?

The residency studio is an integral part of the Residency Program, and for this reason, the organizers have selected a location in an inspiring area known as JAX for the headquarters of the Residency Program. Residents will be in the heart of Riyadh's arts scene, walking distance from artists' studios, creative spaces, and exhibition spaces, as well as close to Ad Diriyah's historic district.

Will I have the opportunity to showcase my work during the residency?

During the open studios, all selected residents will have the opportunity to present their work. During these two days, at the end of each cycle, artists can display any new work they have created as well as any research they have conducted during their residency.

Does the residency cover local transportation costs?

The organizers will cover the cost of local transportation within Riyadh and one trip outside of Riyadh for group visits and activities in which the residents will participate; however, residents will be responsible for their own local personal transportation.

Do I have to pay anything to participate in the Intermix Residency | Art & Fashion Reimagined Program?

Applying for the Intermix Residency | Art & Fashion Reimagined Program is free. The residency is fully funded, and the following expenses are covered:
● An individual working studio space.
● Accommodation within walking distance of the studios.
● Shared facilities.
● Economy round-trip airfare to and from Riyadh.
● Visa issuance facilitation for international selected participants.
● A fixed monthly stipend to cover personal and living expenses for the duration of the Program.
● An allocated production grant is provided, determined by the residency team's assessment of the project's specific needs and requirements.
● Transportation to and from planned group excursions within Riyadh.
● Transportation and lodging for a cultural exploration trip outside of Riyadh.

Will there be any activities taking place off-site from the studio locations?

There will be a scheduled program of events which will include visits, meetings with field experts, guests, and training programs. In addition, residents will be encouraged to participate in the lively cultural and burgeoning Riyadh art scene.
Trips inside Riyadh will be organized to discover the city as well as one trip outside Riyadh to provide residents with the opportunity to explore the cultural richness of the Kingdom.

Is there health insurance coverage as part of the residency?

No, residents are invited to kindly take responsibility for health insurance cover independently.

Can I extend my stay in Saudi Arabia after the Program?

The Intermix Residency | Art & Fashion Reimagined Program will not be responsible for extended stays and any associated requirements, which include but are not limited to visa requirements, accommodation, sustenance, daily cost of living etc. Studio access will not be possible after the completion of each cycle.

Is there a minimum age to apply?

Eligible applicants must be 21 years old by the first day of the residency start date.

Can all nationalities apply for the residency?

Yes. The residency is open to all Saudi nationals, residents, and international creatives with a demonstrable active artistic practice.

Do I have to submit the application in either English or Arabic?

Applications are welcome in either Arabic or English.

What if I miss the deadline?

Only applications received by the stated deadline will be considered. Applications received after the closing date will be disqualified.

Can collectives submit one application?

Will I receive feedback if my application is not accepted?

Due to the high expected number of applicants, please note that the residency organizers will not be able to provide individual feedback to non-selected candidates.