We invite artists, researchers, and interdisciplinary creative practitioners to apply for the Bioregional memory residency programme in the Stepanavan town in Lori Mountains in Armenia, held in collaboration with Today Arts Initiative and Haenke. The residency is part of Free Radicals, a two-year collaborative research project co-funded by Creative Europe, which encourages dialogue on plant biodiversity and its integration into creative practices. Final artworks will be presented in a group exhibition in Lisbon in autumn 2026.

Located in northern Armenia, the Lori province is known for its rich natural landscapes—mountains, forests, rivers, and mineral springs.

The region offers a mix of biodiversity and rural cultural heritage, shaped by both its geography and its communities.

For fifteen days, six interdisciplinary practitioners will come together in this region of astonishing natural beauty—and mounting ecological tension.

Despite its abundant greenery, Lori has been severely impacted by biodiversity loss, much of it driven by illegal logging and economic precarity.

Deforestation here threatens not only local plant ecosystems and soil health, but also the cultural and ecological knowledge rooted in these eerie landscapes.

The residency invites artists to dwell, observe, and respond—to trace the links between environmental degradation and cultural memory, and to engage with local communities working to protect what remains.

The forests of Lori are home to endemic species, sacred traditions, and long-standing forms of stewardship.

Surrounded by wooded hills, fast-flowing rivers, and villages with strong ties to the land, the residency provides a context for exploring the environmental and social impacts of deforestation, as well as the role of art in supporting ecological awareness and community resilience.

Participants will be accommodated in the town of Stepanavan, a city known for its rich natural surroundings and unique botanical diversity. During their stay, residents will conduct research focused on local plant life, including the memory and traces of disappearing plants and trees.

As part of the programme, participants will visit the Stepanavan Dendropark—one of Armenia’s most significant botanical gardens, founded in 1931 by Polish engineer-forester Edmund Leonowicz.

Covering over 35 hectares, the Dendropark is home to more than 500 species of trees and plants, including both native and exotic varieties.

This immersive visit will give artists direct access to rare and endangered flora, along with detailed information about their origins and ecological value.

The experience is intended to deepen their understanding of the local ecosystem and inspire more informed, ecologically engaged artistic practices.

Participants will live and work collectively, with access to a workshop space for creative exploration.

The residency also includes partnerships with local cultural and community centres, opening up opportunities for shared workshops, dialogues, and open studios at the end of the residency.

These interactions ground the artistic process in exchange, rooting it in place and in the lives of those who call Lori home.

THE RESIDENCY

The residency offers:

– Accommodation: Private or shared lodging near the residency site, set against the backdrop of the Lori Mountains.

– Daily meals and production materials: A kitchen and locally sourced ingredients—including vegetarian and meat options—are provided, with artists preparing their own meals. Basic materials and tools are available to support research and artistic production.

– Studio / workspace: Access to shared indoor and outdoor spaces designed for interdisciplinary work, reflection, and exchange.

– Travel stipend: Reimbursement of travel costs up to €300 per artist.

– Curatorial and production support: Continuous guidance from the residency team, guest mentors, and associated experts.

– Connection with the local scene: Organised encounters with local craftspeople, ecologists, activists, and cultural practitioners.

– Visibility and public engagement: Inclusion across the residency’s communication platforms, press outreach, and any public events connected to the residency and the Free Radicals project.

IMPORTANT DATES

Deadline for applications: 31 May 2025

Results of the open call: 12 June 2025

Period of residency: 5-20 August 2025

HOW TO APPLY

We welcome art practitioners and interdisciplinary researchers with a special focus on visual arts.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to arrange interviews.

The application must include:

– CV / or detailed bio (link to the web, or pdf file max. 4 MB)

– a portfolio or website

– a short artistic proposal (maximum 300 words or 10 slides in PDF format), clearly detailing the project or artwork the applicant intends to create during their time in Armenia. The proposal should outline the concept, research approach, and how the work connects to the local context.

– a video/audio recording of up to 3 minutes that elaborates the above (optional)

– upload your CV or portfolio and the artistic proposal.

That’s it! We will notify all applicants once the jury has made its decision.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all genders, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, ethnicities, nationalities, and socio-economic backgrounds.

We particularly welcome applications from those who are underrepresented or marginalised in the arts, sciences, and cultural sectors.

Applicants must reside in one of the EU Member States or countries eligible under the Creative Europe programme.

We're looking forward to reading your proposals!