An international art residency in the High Tatras where artists, youth culture and alternative creative spaces unite to respond to the rapid loss of Carpathian landscapes, wildlife habitats and authentic mountain life.
Organised by: Machaon International, Kolaj 22 and Ukrainian-Slovak HUB
Location: High Tatras & Poprad region, Slovakia
Residency dates: 14–22 August 2026
Application deadline: 21 June 2026
When landscapes disappear, culture must become louder.
The High Tatras and surrounding Carpathian landscapes are rapidly changing under the pressure of uncontrolled construction, expansion of tourism infrastructure and fragmentation of natural habitats. Forest ecosystems and wildlife migration corridors are disappearing, rivers are drying up before our eyes, and mountain landscapes are increasingly transformed into commercial recreational zones.
Art Residency Disappearing Landscape is an unique opportunity to explore how art and independent culture can reflext on and comunicate the rapid degradation of the Carpathian landscape.
Association for Nature Conservation – Machaon International with the youth cultural initiative Kolaj 22 and Ukrainian-Slovak HUB wish to connect environmental awareness with youth culture, music and alternative artistic spaces. We believe that culture and art can help engage new audiences in environmental issues in the High Tatras region — especially young people who are often outside traditional institutional formats.
We invite visual artists, musicians, filmmakers, photographers and interdisciplinary creators to participate in our art residency with their projects addressing environmental change, disappearing landscapes and the relationship between culture, community and activism.
WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We welcome projects, which by using art and other forms of cultural expressions address:
- uncontrolled construction and overdevelopment in the High Tatras
- disappearance of wildlife habitats and migration corridors
- unsustainable transformation of mountain landscapes
- conflict between tourism and nature protection
- environmental activism and alternative culture
- youth culture, music and visual storytelling
- regeneration, resilience and community rebuilding
Possible formats include:
- visual art
- photography
- film and video
- music and sound art
- audiovisual collaborations
- sculpture and land art
- performance
Projects should:
relate to the contrast of beauty of nature and degradation or changing landscapes
engage communities or youth audiences
be possible to be presented publicly during the art residency
KOLAJ 22 — FROM FIRE TO RENEWAL
Kolaj 22 is an independent cultural initiative working with alternative music, youth culture and civic engagement in Poprad. Through concerts, festivals and community events, Kolaj 22 connects environmental topics with audiences beyond traditional cultural institutions.
Following the destruction of its former space by fire in 2025, the residency also supports artistic projects related to regeneration, resilience and rebuilding of independent cultural spaces.
We especially welcome:
audiovisual collaborations for alternative music events
sculpture or land art connected to the former Kolaj 22 space
projects linking environmental awareness with alternative culture and youth communities
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community interaction is an important part of the residency.
Artists are encouraged to collaborate with:
refugees and local communities connected to the Ukrainian-Slovak HUB
volunteers and supporters of Kolaj 22
young people involved in alternative cultural scenes
Possible activities to be integrated in proposed projects include:
- workshops
- artist talks
- open studios
- walks and discussions
- performances
- community events
RESIDENCY FORMAT
International artists are expected to be physically present during the residency period from 14 to 22 August 2026.
Artists and creative groups based in Slovakia may choose a more flexible participation format in agreement with the organisers.
WHAT WE OFFER
Selected participants will receive:
- accommodation during the residency
- meals provided by organisers
- access to workspaces and partner venues
- organisational support
- networking opportunities
- public presentation opportunities
- excursions in the High Tatras region
- Financial support includes:
- travel support up to €300 (for international artists)
- production/material support up to €300
- artist fee of € 1,300
- Important: The € 1,300 artist fee is the maximum amount per selected project, whether realised by an individual artist or a collective/group. Taxes must be paid by the artist(s) in their country of residence.
WHAT WE EXPECT FROM SELECTED ARTISTS
Selected artists are expected to:
- create a public artistic outcome connected to the residency theme
- participate in at least one public or community activity
- engage with the environmental focus of the residency
- collaborate openly with other artists and local partners
WHO CAN APPLY
Applications are open to:
- visual artists
- musicians
- filmmakers
- photographers
- collectives and small creative teams
- For 2026, we aim to support:
- 4 artists or music groups based in Slovakia
- 6 international artists
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted in English in PDF format before June 7 2026.
Please send your application to: zapovedniks@gmail.com
Subject line: DISAPPEARING LANDSCAPE 2026 – Application – Your Name
Please include:
1. Project proposal (max. 700 words)
2. Portfolio or website links
3. Short biography / CV
4. Five photographs, drawings, or illustrative images of the project
5. Short overview of technical needs and timeline
SELECTION CRITERIA
Projects will be evaluated based on:
- artistic quality and originality
- relevance to residency themes
- feasibility
- community engagement potential
- environmental and social sensitivity
SELECTED PARTICIPANTS EXPECTED TO BE INFORMED ON JUNE 30.