Artist in Residency in Cairo

Deadline: Thursday, Nov 27, 2025, 11:00am

Artist-in-Residency in Cairo
April-May 2026


In cooperation with the Austrian Cultural Forum Cairo (ACF), the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, and the Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS), an Artist-in-Residence in Cairo is announced for graduates of the Academy.

Graduates of the Institute for Fine Arts who completed their degree between the summer semester 2024 and the winter semester 2025/26 are invited to apply for the residency, which will take place in spring 2026. The aim of the residency is to realize artistic projects and foster exchange with local artists in Cairo.


The Artist-in-Residence includes:

- 8-week stay in April and May 2026
- Accommodation provided by the Austrian Cultural Forum Cairo
- Opportunity for working and connecting with local artists on site
- Artist talk/presentation in May 2026 at the Austrian Cultural Forum Cairo and/or follow-up presentation in the next program year
- Monthly grant of EUR 1,200 (paid via BMWKMS)
- Travel allowance of EUR 600 (paid via BMWKMS)
- Contribution towards visa and material costs (paid via the Academy)

- Exchange with an artist from Cairo:
In February 2026, an emerging artist from Cairo will be invited to Vienna. Both Artists-in-Residence are expected to be open to exchange – for example through communication and recommendations in advance as well as meetings on site – in order to facilitate each other’s arrival in Cairo and Vienna. Please include a brief statement in your application describing how you envision such an exchange.

- After completion of the residency: final report by the Artist-in-Residence (in written form, photo documentation, video, or other media).

The Artist-in-Residence is responsible for organizing their travel arrangements (booking, visa, insurance). For travel within Egypt, please observe the current travel advisories issued by the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA).


Eligibility:

Graduates of the Institute for Fine Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna who completed their studies within the past two years (March 2024 – January 2026: summer semester 2024, academic year 2024/25, winter semester 2025/26, as well as diploma candidates registered for January 2026).


Selection process:

Participants will be selected by a jury composed of representatives of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, the Austrian Cultural Forum Cairo, and the Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport:

Ingeborg Erhart, Vice Rector for Art | Teaching, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
Alexandra Grausam, Director PART International Art Residency Austria
Daniela Herta, Director Austrian Cultural Forum Cairo
Iman Issa, Professor, Institute for Fine Arts, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
Sigrid Olbrich, Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport
Carolin Vonbank, Austrian Cultural Forum Cairo


Timeline

Application deadline: 27 November 2025, 11:00 a.m.
Jury meeting: Early December 2025
Start of residency: Early April 2026 (arrival by arrangement)
End of residency: End of May 2026 (departure by arrangement)
Submission of final report: by September 2026 at the latest

The selected artist will be notified by mid-December 2025.


Application documents

- CV including education and overview of artistic career (solo/group exhibitions, grants, awards)
- Portfolio with 5 selected works/projects from your artistic practice (PDF, max. 30 pages, max. 10 MB):
- Short motivation letter
- Diploma certificate (Applicants completing their degree in January 2026 must submit the certificate later.)


Inquiries and contact

For further information please contact Barbara Pflanzner (b.pflanzner@akbild.ac.at, +43 1 588 16-1204)

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