Artist in Residence 2026

About AiR

ŻfinMalta’s Artist in Residence (AiR) programme is now in its 9th season  

As part of ŻfinMalta’s Artist Development programme, AiR focuses on meeting the needs of today’s locally-based artists coming from any artistic discipline or movement background.  

“To be contemporary is to exist in the now. At ŻfinMalta, we do not work in a form of rules—we challenge ourselves to stay alert, to look beyond ourselves, and embrace the evolving present”. Matthew William Robinson, ŻfinMalta Artistic Director  

The National Dance Company is offering locally-based artists the time and space for bespoke residencies in 2026. AiR aims to provide an opportunity for artists to focus on movement research in relation to the world around us. 

Taking part in Dance Festival Malta? 

ŻfinMalta is offering free studio space in June and July 2026, specifically to support artists working on performance projects for Dance Festival Malta. Space is offered on a first come first serve basis, and subject to studio availability. Artists who wish to apply for this do not need to apply through the AiR application process: Should you wish to book studio space for projects related to Dance Festival Malta 2026, please get in touch with martina.d.zammit@zfinmalta.mt at your earliest convenience. 

WHO ARE THE RESIDENCIES FOR?  

• The residencies are open to 

• • Artistic practitioners 
  • Over 18 years of age 
  • Based in the Maltese Islands 
  • Coming from any movement background or other art form
  • Engaging in any form of movement research  

• Residencies may be pitched in any form or shape that meets the needs of the artists and their respective research/practice goals.  

• ŻfinMalta is offering an open* number of residencies up until the end of 2026.  

• This is an open call for movement-based residencies, following which ŻfinMalta strives to collaboratively shape selected applicants’ proposals further into fruitful reality. 

*based on a selection process and capped by an overall 2k budget covering the total selected residents 

WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED? 

• The number of residencies and related fees are subject to application. The maximum budget to be disbursed for the total of all residencies is capped at 2000€ (exclusive of VAT).  

• ŻfinMalta strives to collaboratively shape the residency with the artist, hosting the selected artists in ŻfinMalta studios according to the finalised schedule.  

• ŻfinMalta studios and offices are equipped with a sound system, air conditioning, storage space, bathrooms, showers, a kitchenette, a green room as well as WiFi access and an outside terrace. 

• Mentorship by ŻfinMalta team members is subject to availability.   

• Selected candidates, should they wish, are invited to take company class in the morning for the duration of their residency.  

• We regret that ŻfinMalta’s studios are currently not wheelchair accessible. 

WHAT IS REQUIRED FROM RESIDENCY ARTISTS? 

• A curious nature and good project management skills. 

• A moment in which the work can be exposed to the relevant public for the purpose of feedback. The audience for this session will be facilitated by ŻfinMalta and the approach and structure shaped with the artist. This session forms part of the process and is not considered a presentation of the final product. 

• Permission for ŻfinMalta to film agreed parts of the residency. Inclusion of ŻfinMalta logos and/or ŻfinMalta text acknowledgment on publicity (print and digital) for any future work which is developed as a result ofresearch undertaken during the residency. 

Finance

• ŻfinMalta offers a token fee for each residency, to be proposed by the artist at application stage, evaluated and confirmed by the ŻfinMalta team and disbursed upon signing a residency agreement with the artist, upon presentation of an invoice.  

• Applicants should possess a VAT number and quote it at application stage  

• Applicants are required to indicate the proposed fee to cover the residency expenses and how it will be assimilated within their application. Fees for artists involved in the residency are considered eligible whilst travel expenses are not. 

• The maximum budget to be disbursed for the total of all AiR residencies in 20265 is capped at 2000€ (exclusive of VAT). 

Time Frame

• A number of residencies of different shapes and sizes may be selected, to be hosted between August – December 2026. The number will be decided during evaluation period, according to received applications.  

• The ideal schedule for the artist must be outlined in the application and, upon selection, will be discussed and finalised with the company.  

• ŻfinMalta will make every effort to accommodate the preferred dates and proposed fee, however this may not always be possible, and studios and fees are subject to availability. 

• The deadline for applications is 21st June 2026.  

• Candidates should expect first contact by 3rd July 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

• Professional, experienced and emerging choreographers based in the Maltese Islands. 

• Candidates must be 18 years and over. 

• Repeat applications and multidisciplinary collaborations are encouraged. 

• Preference will be given to artists whose research includes collaborators supporting their critical thinking skills within the process of creation, or direct/support/document their research further.  

• Preference will be given to applications that are easy to follow. 

• ŻfinMalta will make every effort to accommodate the research requirements of artists within the parameters of the premises. Artists will be expected to be respectful of the ŻfinMalta studios and administrative spaces and to take care of the space they are allotted. 

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST/ APPLICATION PROCESS 

Artists are required to send an email to project@zfinmalta.mt with the below details: 

• Personal Details: VAT number, full name and address to match VAT number, Contact Number. 

• Proposal: 

• • A brief description of their background, work and interests, including the motivation behind their application for AiR (max 400 words). 

• • A brief description of the purpose of the residency including the context of the residency within the larger scope of your ongoing research or practice (max 400 words) 

• • A proposed timeline/schedule/structure of the residency with specific dates and times.  

• • An indication of the required fee and how it will be used. 

• • An indication of whether the residency is supported by another grant and if yes, highlighting which one. 

• • A maximum of 2 links to work/research samples, in video form.  

• • Relevant CVs 

• File size of attachments to the application email should not exceed 20MB. Please feel free to send attachments as google links. 

• The residencies do not support production or post-production of films related to the research. 

• Selected applicants are required to cooperate in the marketing and sharing of their experience during this residency through various means, including social media, media interviews, photoshoots and receptions.