OPEN CALL FOR VISUAL ARTISTS
One visual arts residency in Leipzig / Germany on reflections on democracy by an artist with Colombian nationality.
The LIA-Leipzig International Art Program invites one artist from Colombia to a three-month residency exchange in Leipzig, Germany, from August to October 2026. This program, funded by the Federal Foreign Office, seeks to encourage artistic and societal engagement with the history and the contemporary relevance of democracies for today’s societies. Leipzig, having played a major role in the peaceful revolution and the Fall of the Wall in 1989, can serve as a starting point and useful resource to conduct a project.
The Leipzig International Art Program LIA (https://liap.eu/) is an international artist in residency program located at the Spinnerei Leipzig (www.spinnerei.de), a former cotton mill and now cultural hub. LIA serves as a space for experimentation and learning within a strong local artist community and a city rich in traditions. Local and international artists mutually inspire each other through the exchange of cultural experiences, broadening each other’s perspectives. The founder of LIA, Anna-Louise Rolland, states, “at LIA, we believe that moving outside of our comfort zone leads to new perspectives opening up. International visual artists working together with professional musicians, public space and institutions like museums perfectly embodies this philosophy and this type of collaboration leads to new approaches being developed and new kinds of artistic exchanges taking place”.
Key information
- free accommodation in an 83-square-meter furnished studio incl. curated group show in the residency
- coverage of travels, flights, visa and health insurance costs
- fellowship of 800,00 € per month
- curatorial advice by LIA director Anna-Louise Rolland
- group show January 2027 during the Spinnerei Rundgang/ Gallery Tour www.spinnerei.de
- residency dates: August 3rd to October 29th, 2026
Please note applicants must have a good understanding of English. Eligibility is limited to residents of Colombia or Colombians living elsewhere in Latin America. The residency does not include any further fees or stipends. For more detailed information about the services provided by LIA please visit https://liap.eu/index.php/en/application/. This is a fully funded residency, so no fees apply. Additional information about the artist studios at the Spinnerei Leipzig is given in this short video: www.monocle.com/film/culture/leipzig-s-artist-studios/
Applications must comprise the following and be wrapped into one pdf file only:
- An expression of interest (500 words max.) explaining the project you wish to develop during the residency or research you would like to do and what interests you would follow working at LIA.
Important notice: The project idea needs to address democracy as the key topic of your project, specifically the history, role, impact and relevance and how it can be conducted artistically within the framework of your artistic biography. – Please also express how you would like to contribute to societal engagement with your work and gathered experience when returned to your home country. - A CV or biography stating the number of years of professional art practice, your exhibitions and educational background
- Up to 6 images of your work or video/audio links
- The specification of the subject matter line of your e-mail so we can file you correctly: “Open Call Columbia”
Applicationsmust be in English and sent as one single pdf file to: marina.diaz@liap.eu, assistent@liap.eu, application deadline: April 30th 2026 ,12 pm (noon), European Central Time, successful applicants will be notified the latest by 21st of May 2026.
