Embassy of Foreign Artists

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Application period is between the 1st and the 30th April every year.

The Republic and Canton of Geneva, in partnership with Laps association, founded the Embassy of Foreign Artists – residency for foreign artists in 2012. With the participation of foreign creators, local artists and cultural institutions in Geneva, this project aims to create an interactive network that will encourage the development of new approaches and reflections.

EoFA residency programme is a site for cross-disciplinary research and creativity in Geneva. Our spaces foster all stages of the creative process, from initial experimentation and reflection to the showcasing of finalized work. The conception and production are important stages and we offer the public the possibility to follow them and to engage with the artists in order to better understand their practices.

We place a particular focus on the quality of our projects and we consider our activities as tools for emancipation and alternatives to globalized culture. Our role is to offer support and a space for innovative and critical practices that engage with these fields and form a part of the reflection of our society.

Residency offer

Our house has four bedrooms as well as several common spaces: bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and a living room.  The EoFA suites can accommodate three residents at a time for a period of three or six months.  The fourth suite is reserved for local associations and institutions as accommodation for their visiting artists for periods of at least one month. The stay provides:
– A private room as well as a working space and access to common areas shared with other residents.
– A residency of three or six months (the desired length of stay must be specified on the Application Questionnaire).
– A grant of 1200.- Swiss francs per month for the length of the stay.

Requirements for applicants


Candidates must respond to the following criteria:

– The open call is addressed to all professional artists coming from following artistic fields: performing arts, visual arts and applied arts (fine arts, dance, theatre, music, literature, comics, cinema, etc.). Cultural practitioners, active in the research of contemporary cultural practices, such as curators, play writers, set designer or from other fields and applied disciplines (architecture, design) are also invited to apply.
– Be in possession of a wide range of creations, publications and performances at a professional level.
– Not be currently registered in a basic artistic training course.
– Not be living in Geneva/Geneva region.
– Speak English.
– Be above the age of 28 years in the year of the residency.
– Accept and agree to pay costs related to their travel and artistic production.

Selection process

A jury will select Grant beneficiaries. Candidates will be informed of the jury’s decision by beginning of July 2019. It is not possible to appeal the jury’s decision. 
Allocation of the grant and residency are dependent on the obtainment by the candidate of a residence permit for Switzerland and proof of insurance covering medical assistance and accidents in Swiss territory during the period of stay in Geneva.