Published: June 12 2026
Deadline: June 21 2026
Locations: International
An international art residency in the High Tatras where artists, youth culture and alternative creative spaces unite to respond to the rapid loss of Carpathian landscapes, wildlife habitats and authentic mountain life.
Organised by: Machaon International, Kolaj 22 and Ukrainian Slovak HUB
Location: High Tatras and Poprad region, Slovakia
Residency dates: 14 to 22 August 2026
Application deadline: June 21 2026
When Landscapes Disappear Culture Must Become Louder
The High Tatras and surrounding Carpathian landscapes are rapidly changing under the pressure of uncontrolled construction, expansion of tourism infrastructure and fragmentation of natural habitats. Forest ecosystems and wildlife migration corridors are disappearing, rivers are drying up before our eyes, and mountain landscapes are increasingly transformed into commercial recreational zones.
Art Residency Disappearing Landscape is a unique opportunity to explore how art and independent culture can reflect on and communicate the rapid degradation of the Carpathian landscape. The Association for Nature Conservation Machaon International together with the youth cultural initiative Kolaj 22 and Ukrainian Slovak HUB wish to connect environmental awareness with youth culture, music and alternative artistic spaces.
The organisers believe that culture and art can help engage new audiences in environmental issues in the High Tatras region, especially young people who are often outside traditional institutional formats. Visual artists, musicians, filmmakers, photographers and interdisciplinary creators are invited to participate with projects addressing environmental change, disappearing landscapes and the relationship between culture, community and activism.
What Kind of Projects Are Being Sought
Projects that use art and other forms of cultural expression to address uncontrolled construction and overdevelopment in the High Tatras, disappearance of wildlife habitats and migration corridors, unsustainable transformation of mountain landscapes, conflict between tourism and nature protection, environmental activism and alternative culture, youth culture music and visual storytelling, and regeneration resilience and community rebuilding are welcome.
Possible formats include visual art, photography, film and video, music and sound art, audiovisual collaborations, sculpture and land art, and performance.
Projects should relate to the contrast between the beauty of nature and degradation or changing landscapes, engage communities or youth audiences, and be possible to present publicly during the art residency.
Kolaj 22 From Fire to Renewal
Kolaj 22 is an independent cultural initiative working with alternative music, youth culture and civic engagement in Poprad. Through concerts, festivals and community events, Kolaj 22 connects environmental topics with audiences beyond traditional cultural institutions. Following the destruction of its former space by fire in 2025, the residency also supports artistic projects related to regeneration, resilience and rebuilding of independent cultural spaces.
Projects such as audiovisual collaborations for alternative music events, sculpture or land art connected to the former Kolaj 22 space, and projects linking environmental awareness with alternative culture and youth communities are especially welcome.
Community Engagement
Community interaction is an important part of the residency. Artists are encouraged to collaborate with refugees and local communities connected to the Ukrainian Slovak HUB, volunteers and supporters of Kolaj 22, and young people involved in alternative cultural scenes.
Possible activities to be integrated into proposed projects include workshops, artist talks, open studios, walks and discussions, performances, and community events.
Residency Format
International artists are expected to be physically present during the residency period from 14 to 22 August 2026. Artists and creative groups based in Slovakia may choose a more flexible participation format in agreement with the organisers.
What Is Offered
Selected participants will receive accommodation during the residency, meals provided by organisers, access to workspaces and partner venues, organisational support, networking opportunities, public presentation opportunities, and excursions in the High Tatras region.
Financial support includes travel support up to €300 for international artists, production and material support up to €300, and an artist fee of €1,300. The €1,300 artist fee is the maximum amount per selected project whether realised by an individual artist or a collective or group. Taxes must be paid by the artist in their country of residence.
What Is Expected From Selected Artists
Selected artists are expected to create a public artistic outcome connected to the residency theme, participate in at least one public or community activity, engage with the environmental focus of the residency, and collaborate openly with other artists and local partners.
Who Can Apply
Applications are open to visual artists, musicians, filmmakers, photographers, and collectives and small creative teams. For 2026 the residency aims to support 4 artists or music groups based in Slovakia and 6 international artists.
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted in English in PDF format before June 21 2026. Send applications to [email protected] with the subject line DISAPPEARING LANDSCAPE 2026 Application Your Name.
Required materials include a project proposal of maximum 700 words, portfolio or website links, a short biography or CV, five photographs drawings or illustrative images of the project, and a short overview of technical needs and timeline.
Selection Criteria
Projects are evaluated based on artistic quality and originality, relevance to residency themes, feasibility, community engagement potential, and environmental and social sensitivity.
Selected participants can expect to be informed on June 30 2026
