A self-directed residency provides time and space to develop your practice in a social, supportive, and stimulating environment.
They are open to artists, writers, performers, musicians, scholars, and any other creative discipline.
All of our residencies take place in Athens, Greece. Every resident has a dedicated workspace in Argo Studios, and accommodation is provided in the Argo Mansions. You can read more about our spaces and approach here.
The City
〰️ Work and stay in the heart of Athens, Greece 〰️
〰️ A short walk to amazing museums 〰️
〰️ Dozens of contemporary art galleries, project spaces and performance venues 〰️
〰️ A strong tradition of political engagement and protest 〰️
〰️ Vibrant nightlife and queer scene 〰️
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Athens is a wonderful paradox.
Of course, it is an ancient city steeped in history, known for its classical architecture and archaeological treasures. Amidst the remnants of its past, though, the city boasts a vibrant arts scene, hundreds of contemporary galleries, and cultural festivals. Local artists draw inspiration from their surroundings, blending traditional themes with modern expressions. This unique juxtaposition creates a dynamic atmosphere where history and creativity coexist harmoniously.
Exarcheia is our beautiful, grubby, intense, relaxed neighborhood. It’s famous for being a center of political activism and for its vibrant atmosphere of creativity and resistance. It’s not all protests, though: the neighborhood is also dotted with charming bars and cozy cafes, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors to eat with friends, sit all day with a coffee and notebook, or party all night.
“I loved the new city - it gave me a whole new experience and it changed the way of seeing and feeling things.”
-Xiuqing, Sculptor and Installation Artist
The Experience
〰️ Residencies for 2 weeks to 3 months 〰️
〰️ Up to 7 residents at a time 〰️
〰️ Time and space to develop your practice 〰️
〰️ Independent exploration and a supportive community 〰️
〰️ Focus on process, not products 〰️
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Argo residencies provide time and space to develop your practice in a social, supportive atmosphere. We can host up to seven residents at one time - three with private bedrooms, and up to four sharing two larger bedrooms. That means you’ll be sharing your kitchen, bathrooms, and maybe your ideas and dreams, with your fellow residents, but you’ll also have private space to focus on your work.
We encourage residents to use their time and space to focus more on process than product, more on research and exploration than rushing to finish an exhibition. Athens, Exarchia, and your fellow residents will provide rich sources of inspiration, and we’re here to support your practice and development.
Argo residencies can be challenging and rewarding in equal measure. Greece is a fierce place in both climate and temperament, and we encourage residents to respectfully challenge each other’s ideas.
While you are here, you will also have access to a rotating series of cultural events hosted in our project space: artist talks and lectures by visiting guest artists, group and solo exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, and performances.
“I had an amazing experience. I really loved having the studio space to work at my own pace. I love the body of work I made and it culminating in an Open Studios was great as it gave me something to work towards.
I had all the support I needed from Matt & Sara so if i needed anything I knew I could ask. Sara's research and the info packs were super helpful too. It felt like a fast track to the core of the art and culture scene in Exarcheia and Athens which I think would have been really difficult to find alone. It was also so great for food and drink recommendations.
I also felt really welcome from the get-go an the effort made to make me feel comfortable and welcome was really appreciated.”
-Bobby, Painter and graphic designer
“I loved the whole experience. Matt and Sara were amazing hosts and now feel like friends! They were great guides, suggesting places to explore that linked to my project and I really enjoyed the group trips to galleries and arts events. The studio was perfect, I loved the natural light and the space to put all my ideas on the wall.
Having studio space separate to accommodation really helped me focus and it was a wonderful environment to be creative and work on the early stages of my play. I loved being around other artists, particularly because we had different practices, which was really fascinating and made the space feel even more creative. It was helpful to not have strict deadlines and to have the freedom to navigate the residency as I wanted, this allowed me to try different ways of working and feel free. “
-Han-Roze, Playwright and actor
The Schedule
〰️ Monthly shared dinner with your fellow residents 〰️
〰️ Contemporary art tour to visit galleries, museums, local artists’ studios, and/or local curators 〰️
〰️ Day trips to museums or archaeological sites 〰️
〰️ Open Studios to share your work with the public 〰️
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The minimum stay for residents is two weeks, and the maximum three months, but we recommend that most people come for one to two months. That’s because we run on a monthly schedule. Each month, we offer four events that are designed to introduce you to the cultural climate of the city, and to showcase your work:
A monthly shared dinner with your fellow residents.
A contemporary art tour to visit galleries, museums, local artists’ studios, and/or local curators.
A cultural history day trip to a museum, archaeological site, or similar.
A day-long Open Studios event, in which the public will be invited to come and see your works in progress.
Each of these are optional, as we also respect the powerful container that a residency provides, allowing you to delve deeper into your creative practice without the distractions of everyday life. We welcome you to follow your creative flow and honor the working rhythms that emerge during the residency. In other words, do what best suits you, whilst knowing there is a rich atmosphere of community and creative exchange available for you to engage with.
“I liked collaborating with the other artists, local and international. They way the whole creative flow later turned into friendships. The studio visits with local artists. I loved the fact that Matt and Sara were such good hosts, going out of their way to give us the best experience of the city - Food, bars, events, shops. Not only on a personal level, but also on a professional level. They were attentive to our needs and were very present to make sure every requirement was met.
I'd say the mental creative say given to us was very good. It allowed room for experimentation and going out of our comfort zone. working with new mediums/materials and testing new things!
I highly recommend Argo Residencies!”
-Nim, Multidisciplinary artist
“I liked the freedom, not having a rigid schedule, I did ad hoc meditation and didn’t do everything on offer - that works for me, I don’t want to feel beholden to an intense schedule and I didn’t - personal space and freedom is valuable for my practice, and to dip in and out of socialising with lovely people - the balance was right for me.”
-Meredith, Multidisciplinary Artist
The Cost
〰️ €1950 per month for a private room 〰️
〰️ €1500 per month for a shared room 〰️
〰️ This includes accommodation, a dedicated workspace in our studios, and access to our events 〰️
〰️ It doesn’t include food or transportation 〰️
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The standard price for an Argo residency is about €1950 per month for a private bedroom, and €1500 for a shared room.
This includes your accommodation, bills, access to the studios, participation in monthly events, and access to the woodshop.
It doesn’t include the cost of your travel, or food while in Greece. We recommend you budget €100-€300 per week for food.
Lots of residents apply for funding to cover the cost of their residency. We can provide a letter of support if that’s you.
Guests are welcome if we have space, please check with us in advance. We charge an additional €25/ night for guests.