APPEL À CANDIDATURE : SQUATFABRIK 2026

Squatfabrik is a programme of residencies for research and experimentation in the fields of the visual arts and performance art, offered by and at Kulturfabrik, in synergy with the Bridderhaus artists’ residency, and with financial support from Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte.

In 2026, Squatfabrik will be offering three residencies, each of four weeks. These residencies will take place between April and July 2026, and will each welcome an artist or artists’ collective based in Luxembourg working in tandem with an artist or collective based in another European country. The local artist and the international European artist are not obliged to work on a collaboration. The tandem project for the Squatfabrik residency is a space for dialogue and sharing without hierarchy, where the artists have the potential to work and share together in the same workspace.

This call for applications is open to artists or artist collectives living in Luxembourg or of Luxembourg nationality living abroad. 

All applications must be submitted using the form available HERE
All necessary information and access to the form are also available below.

Squatfabrik is a programme of residencies at Kulturfabrik specifically dedicated to supporting a programme that is engaged, feminist, anti-racist, decolonial and inclusive, which can find expression in the artistic approach, in the materials used, or in the themes addressed, interrogating societal or environmental challenges. It accords particular attention to projects aiming to forge links with actors, institutions and/or residents of the region and/or including proposals for participation, with a view to sustainability.

Squatfabrik’s mission is to offer funded residencies, without an obligation for an outcome or quid pro quo. One of the primary aims of the residency is to allow artists and collectives to invest time in experimentation and research.

THIS RESIDENCY IS GRANTED UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS AND TERMS:
FIELD OF INTEREST: Visual arts and performance arts

Squatfabrik Residency Periods in 2026:

• From 6 April to 3 May 2026
• From 11 May to 7 June 2026
• From 15 June to 12 July 2026

CRITERIA:

The call is aimed at emerging artists or artists who can demonstrate a significant professional career (as an individual or as a collective). The residencies will be awarded based on the relevance and uniqueness of the projects submitted. Approaches that incorporate consideration of environmental impact (re-use of materials, pooling of resources, soft mobility, etc.) are encouraged.

We strongly encourage applications by artists from all spheres, particularly from people who are under-represented in the arts world, notably (but not restricted to) artists from minority groups, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent, or from a rural or poor socio-economic background. (N.B.: At present, the Squatfabrik residency is unfortunately not wheelchair-accessible, due to the lack of adapted toilet facilities to permit full autonomy).

The eligibility criteria are:

• The uniqueness and relevance of the project, with regard to the mission and programme at Squatfabrik.
• Values in common with those articulated by Kulturfabrik
• The artist is living in Luxembourg or is living abroad as a Luxembourg national

SELECTION PROCES: 

• The choice and nomination of winners will be made by a committee comprising members of the team at Kulturfabrik, of the Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, and of the Bridderhaus artists’ residency.
• The application files will be handled with full confidentiality. Application is free of charge, and the files are to be submitted online.

Access the application form HERE

APPLICATION PRODEDURE :

The application file must include:

• Your administrative details
• A short artistic CV (max. 1 page) in French, German, Luxembourgish or English
• A copyright-free photo, with credits and titles of works
• Information about your project
• A statement of intent (note d’intention) describing the research/experimentation project that you would like to undertake, including the proposed media, or a video (max. 8 minutes) explaining the artistic intention, the project’s political or social impact, and your motivation for submitting it as a bid to Squatfabrik.
• An indication of the residency periods that fit in with your schedule for 2026, with an order of preference.
• A portfolio comprising visuals, texts and press reviews.

Deadline for submitting applications: midnight on Sunday, 5 October.

ORGANISATION OF THE RESIDENCY:

Together with the artist(s) or collectives, Kulturfabrik considers the aims of the project, the appropriate support to be put in place, and possible synergies within Esch-sur-Alzette’s territory.

To help artists forge a connection with the area and establish collaborations, they will be accommodated in the Bridderhaus, which is an annex of the KONSCHTAL ESCH contemporary arts space. The Bridderhaus is available for artist residencies.

UNDERTAKINGS OF THE ARTISTS OR COLLECTIVES:

• To participate and be present throughout the full period of the residency
• To share the Keramik and Galerie Terres Rouges rooms provided, fairly and in tandem
• To propose projects at the experimentation and research stage at the time of the residency
• To have regular discussions with the points of contact supporting the residency, and interactive sessions with the Kulturfabrik team
• To attend occasional meeting and mediation activities (“Get Out”, artists’ meetings, etc.)

CONDITIONS OFFERED :
Fixed honorarium of €950 excluding VAT per week, or a total of €3,800;

• Food allowance of €150 per week including VAT, or a total of €600;
• Accommodation;
• Production budget for materials and production costs up to €3,000 including VAT (on presentation of a detailed description of the project and prior agreement from Kulturfabrik); the production budget applies in the initial stage of project development, during its research and experimentation phase at Squatfabrik, and cannot finance in any way the costs of post-production or of distribution.
• 300m² of workspace: a workshop for manual work equipped with woodworking and metalworking tools (Galerie) and a brightly-lit office space (Keramik);
• Ongoing support (organisation of visits and networking, technical and logistical support);
• Communications support (press releases, social media), communications media (display in public spaces, Squatfabrik brochures, photographic documentation);
• Supporting programme (cycle of films, public workshops);
• A public sharing event (“Get Out”) at the end of the residency.
• Where a collective is selected, a maximum of two people can be offered the residency; the artist’s fee will then be shared between the two members, or the collective can determine how it is to be shared, based on the preference of the participating artists.
  
  KULTURFABRIK

The Kulturfabrik is a cultural centre located in the heart of the Grande Région, in the south of Luxembourg, in Esch-sur-Alzette, in the buildings of the former municipal abattoir. On 4500m2, two performance halls, a gallery, a cinema, a brasserie, a bistro and several rehearsal rooms are located. The Kulturfabrik is a committed meeting place open to the public, artists and associations. Its programming is eclectic: concerts, festivals, theatre, cinema, educational projects, literature, artistic residencies...  

The Kulturfabrik is a non-profit association (ASBL) and is recognised as being of public utility. It is supported by the Ministry of Culture of Luxembourg and the City of Esch-sur-Alzette.

VISION
Kulturfabrik is a cultural centre dedicated to artistic experimentation and research, and the cultural development of Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg and the Grande Région. This is with a view to encouraging and promoting artistic creation, encounters, innovation, and freedom of expression for the emancipation, development and progress of everyone towards an open and imaginative society.

MISSION
Located in Esch-sur-Alzette, Kulturfabrik is a committed living space which, through a diverse artistic programme, proposes music, multidisciplinary performances, cinema, literature, engaged art, visual art, and urban art, informs and educates varied audiences. In close collaboration with audiences, partners and artists, Kulturfabrik promotes bold creativity, the emancipation of audiences and creativity, freedom of expression, and assists and supports artists with intra- and extra-mural projects in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg, the Grande Région and internationally.

VALUES
We care deeply about the history and unique features of our structure and we must take an active role in the construction of a future in line with our values. Passion, collaboration, engagement, humour and creativity are our foundations. We are proud of our independence and campaign with boldness and creativity in favour of an open society. At Kulturfabrik you will be welcomed into an atmosphere of trust and sharing.