Ceramics Residency · 2027
Open Call 2027
Applications are open
Deadline: 30 September 2026
We invite ceramicists and ceramics artists to apply for our 2027 Ceramics Residency in Salemi, a hilltop town in Western Sicily that we help revive through contemporary ceramics.
Residents will get shared accommodation and a private studio space in our former-monastery studios + materials, firings, and time: to research, to experiment, and to make a body of work shaped by the town, its history, people and landscape.
The residency is part of Our Project: residents become part of the studio's daily life, alongside our courses, teachers and the local community.
Residency opportunities
1. Standard Residency
- For artists developing new or existing personal work
- Duration: 6 weeks to 3 months between April and November 2027
- 4–6 artists selected
2. Ceramics Mural / Installation Residency
- For artists creating site-specific murals or installations in the historic center of Salemi
- Duration: 10 weeks to 4 months between April and November 2027
- 2 artists selected
- Includes an €800 artist fee
Mural/installation works are sited in the streets of Salemi's Old Town. We've mapped out a number of possible locations; residents can choose from these or propose their own, though permits from local authorities are required and may rule out some spots. Dating back to the 1400s–1500s, the Old Town has been largely abandoned since the 1968 earthquake, with most remaining residents having since moved to the newer part of town. Because it's now largely uninhabited, there's a wide range of available spaces, varying in size and character, that we link into a ceramics "trail" inviting visitors to explore the old streets.
Applicants may indicate their preferred dates, duration and residency type in the application form. Residency type and calendar will be discussed with the Ceramics manager during the selection process.
Funding opportunities
Three of the selected artists (from either residency above) will also be awarded complementary funding:
- Crazy Color Residency – covers up to €3,000 in additional costs. Awarded by Salemi Ceramics founder Matthew Newton to one artist with an inventive and fun approach to color. Colorful and fun approach to ceramics, achieving high artistic quality in a joyful whimsical colorful way.
- Badr el Jundi Complementary Funding – covers up to €3,000 in additional costs. Offered in collaboration with the Badr el Jundi Foundation, which selects one emerging artist within their curatorial range.
- Fondazione Orestiadi Exhibition – offers and covers the costs of a personal exhibition and a publication with the Fondazione Orestiadi of Gibellina, which selects one established artist within their curatorial range.
Who can apply＋
- With a degree/certification in ceramics/arts: 2+ years of professional experience
- Self-taught applicants: 4+ years professional experience working with ceramics
- Strong project proposal and ability to work independently
Selection criteria
Applications will be evaluated on:
- Quality of existing work
- Proven ability to meet high professional standards
- Quality and feasibility of proposal
- Site-specific quality of proposal, interaction with local landscape and community
- Technical experience and capacity to execute their proposed project with minimal technical assistance
We also strive for diversity in nationality, background, gender, and age to foster a rich exchange among residents.
Please note: unfortunately, at present, we cannot provide fully accessible accommodation and studio access for artists with disabilities.
What's included＋
All residents receive, free of charge:
- Pick-up/drop-off at Palermo airport (on arranged dates)
- Accommodation (private room in a shared flat, walking distance to the studio)
- Breakfast & lunch (Mon–Fri)
- Participation in cultural activities alongside our students
- 24/7 access to a private workspace in the convent
- All materials, and tools (on request)
- The option to sell work through the studio gallery (40% commission)
The artists selected for the Crazy Color Residency and the Badr el Jundi Funding may use their allowance toward:
- Flights (up to €800)
- Professional artwork shipping (up to €500)
- Professional packaging, crates, and boxes (up to €400)
- A dinner stipend of €87.50/week for the duration of the residency
The artist selected for the Fondazione Orestiadi Exhibition will not receive extra funding for their residency, however the Foundation will:
- Fund, organise and document a personal exhibition in the premises of Fondazione Orestiadi
- Fund, design and produce a small publication of the artist's work
Additional conditions
- Residents are expected to donate one work to the Salemi Ceramics permanent collection, chosen in agreement with the Salemi Ceramics team.
- Dedicated technical assistance is not available: residents are expected to work independently, with minimal support.
- Flights and artwork shipping are not covered
Studio facilities
- 5 electric kilns (120-140-300 L)
- Pottery wheels (300W & 400W)
- Large slab roller, vacuum pugmill, extruder
- Full set of handbuilding, throwing & glazing tools
- White stoneware with impalpable grog (PRAI from Sio2)
- Glaze-making materials and minerals
Additional notes
- If residents need specific materials, these must be requested in advance.
- Our Olsen-type woodfire kiln may be available for specific projects, but its use is limited and must be agreed in advance.
How to apply＋
Fill in the application form.
Please have the following ready:
- Artist CV
- Portfolio of personal work
- Project proposal
What happens after submitting the application?
- The applicant will receive an automated email confirming that the application has been successfully submitted
- Once the application period is over, on the 30th of September 2026, our team will start reviewing all applications
- Finalists will be selected by the 30th of October 2026, and will be contacted by our team for a short interview
- On the 15th of November 2026, we will confirm the winners privately
- By the end of November 2026, we will announce the winners to the public