About the Residency
A4 International Residency Program offers 8-10 week sessions open to creators from all fields including artists, scientists, writers, poets, scholars, musicians, architects, and designers. Participants receive round-trip airfare, accommodation in shared apartments, studio space, materials, and 'Super Agent' connection system. The program encourages collaboration across disciplines and community engagement.
Resident artists will be participating in a unique context comprised of the art center, the community and the characteristics of the city, which includes the development of a rapidly changing and evolving southern side of a tranquil city as well as the tension between its long history and fractured modernization. The residency's working ecosystem also engages with diverse themes, spanning the individual and the emotional, the local and the external, the localization and the globalisation, as well as an extensive array of social groups and community practices in China.
A4 Residency Art Center respects creative outcomes in various forms and disciplines, encouraging artists to use diverse media and approaches to forge connections and collaborations with the local environment, with a focus on interdisciplinary integration and innovation.
The residency program strives to achieve localization, openness, collaboration, and participation, and expects resident artists to approach the program with the same mindset. Through the "Super Agent" system, artists will be paired with local residents to gain authentic perspectives on daily life.
Who Can Apply
- Multidisciplinary artists: Including but not limited to visual arts, performing arts, music, film, sound, and architecture.
- Curators: Engaged in cross-disciplinary exhibition-making, curation, and project development.
- Designers: Spanning product design, fashion design, spatial design, interactive design, and related fields.
- Others: Creatives with interdisciplinary backgrounds capable of integrating art, business, and cultural sectors.
Program Support
International Residency Fellowship (Fully Funded)
- Residency Duration: Not less than 8 weeks.
- Studio & Accommodation: Private workspace and living quarters provided.
- Travel Support: Round-trip airfare (Economy) or Train (2nd Class) within a set budget.
- Production Grant: RMB 10,000 per project for materials/production.
- Resource Network: Engagement with local communities, commercial brands, and cultural institutions.
- Cultural Immersion: Exclusive guided experiences exploring Chengdu's cultural landscape.
- Media Exposure: Promotional support via official online platforms.
- Events & Networking: Participation in salons, talks, and open studio events.
- Presentation Opportunities: Showcasing residency outcomes through exhibitions, performances, publications, and public art projects.
A4 Residency "Light Version" (Self-Funded)
- Residency Duration: Flexible within an 8-week period.
- Studio & Accommodation: Private workspace and living quarters provided.
- Institutional Support: Full access to event spaces, venue support, and the "Super Agent" community network.
- Visibility: Included in all official media promotion and public program cycles.
- Cultural Immersion: Exclusive guided experiences exploring Chengdu's cultural landscape.
- Events & Networking: Participation in salons, talks, and open studio events.
- Presentation Opportunities: Showcasing residency outcomes through exhibitions, performances, publications, and public art projects.
Note: Travel (airfare/train) and production costs are to be covered by residency creators under the Light Version.
Residency Duration
- Autumn 2027: July – October
- Spring 2028: April – June
- Autumn 2028: July – October
Each cycle lasts approximately 8 weeks and may be adjusted flexibly depending on the specific project.
Selection Criteria
- Creativity & Innovation: Uniqueness and originality of the proposed project and its potential to push artistic, design, or commercial boundaries.
- Cross-disciplinary Collaboration: The applicant's ability to engage with local communities and commercial brands, generating sustainable impact.
- Feasibility & Execution: The application can efficiently execute the project within the specified time and achieve the expected results.
- Social & Cultural Impact: Potential contributions to the local community and cultural landscape.
Application Requirements
- Resume & Portfolio: A CV highlighting previous collaborations with communities and commercial brands.
- Project Proposal: A detailed plan outlining the intended project, objectives, methodology, and how it will engage with local communities or commercial partners.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit all materials in both English and Chinese, including: Personal photo, Portfolio, CV, Project Proposal.
For the standard fellowship, please email: a4residency@a4am.cn
For the light version, please email: qiaojiayi@a4residency.com.cn