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.
The Basics
accommodation, studio, and resources
As a self-directed resident, you’ll be provided with:
〰️ Accommodation in either a private or shared bedroom. If you choose a shared bedroom, you’ll be sharing with one other person. There are two kitchens and two bathrooms, a large shared space, and two balconies. The apartments are basic, but comfortable and beautiful.
〰️ Studio space for your research and practice. We can often offer a private studio, but it depends on everyone’s needs. Painting, playing music, dancing, and arcane rituals are all allowed.
〰️ Woodshop, tools, and some limited supplies such as paper, paint, scrap fabric, and strange, small pieces of plastic whose purpose has been long forgotten.
〰️ Access to our small but growing lending library.
〰️ Personalized recommendations for research and creative resources: readings, shops, museums, ancient sites, etc.
〰️ Connections with the local art scene.
Support and Guidance
developing your practice
〰️ We have lived and worked in Athens since (at least) 2020, and love sharing our knowledge of the city with residents.
〰️ During an initial meeting, we’ll get to know your practice and plans for your residency, and can recommend texts to read, places to visit, and people to connect with.
〰️ Throughout your residency, we’ll share a daily digest of cultural events to help you get the most out of the city.
〰️ We often arrange studio visits, meetings with local experts, and trips to museums and cultural sites, giving you direct access to the vibrant Athens art scene.
〰️ Regular open studio events can provide an opportunity to showcase your work publicly.
〰️ 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 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
“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
The Vibe
a creative community
〰️ Self-directed residencies last between two weeks and three months, giving you time and space to explore the city and try new ideas.
〰️ We have up to seven residents at once, and you can make your residency as social or as independent as you like.
〰️ There are plenty of opportunities to make connections with your fellow residents. We regularly host shared meals, residents often share skills and techniques with each other, and many have made new friends on their residency.
〰️ If you prefer to work alone, there is plenty of space for that as well - our studios and accommodation are both large enough to provide private space.
〰️ 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.
〰️ Our focus has always been on process not product. You are not expected to produce a body of work on your residency - we think it’s more important that you have time and space to try new ideas, explore new themes, and make mistakes.
“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
Prices
€455 per week with a private bedroom
€350 per week with a shared bedroom (sharing with one person maximum)
You can apply for any period except August (when it’s too hot) and December (because we need a break).
The minimum stay is two weeks, the maximum is three months.
We recommend that you apply at least three months in advance.
If you’d like to bring a guest or your partner, it’s often possible. Let us know as soon as possible if you’d like to do that. We charge an extra €25 per night for guests.
Lots of residents have secured funding for self-directed residencies - mostly through national arts organizations or Culture Moves Europe. We can provide a letter of support if you need one.
If you are applying for funding, we highly recommend that you apply to Argo six months in advance of your stay to give you time to secure funding.
This includes
— Accommodation. If you choose a shared bedroom, you’ll be sharing with one other person. There are two kitchens and two bathrooms, a large shared space, and two balconies. The apartments are basic, but comfortable and beautiful.
— Studio space for your research and practice. We can often offer a private studio, but it depends on everyone’s needs. Painting, playing music, dancing, and arcane rituals are all allowed.
— Woodshop, tools, and some limited supplies such as paper, paint, scrap fabric, and strange, small pieces of plastic whose purpose has been long forgotten.
— Access to our small but growing lending library.
— Guest talks from local experts and artists.
— Personalized recommendations for research and creative resources: readings, shops, museums, ancient sites, etc.
— Connections with the local art scene.
It doesn’t include
— Flights to Athens or transportation around the city.
— Food. Athens is relatively inexpensive: a meal at a restaurant might cost €20, a bottle of water €1
— Extra materials. If you need special materials for your projects, we can recommend places to buy them.
— Museum tickets.
Apply Here
Questions? Issues? Prefer a downloadable form?
Contact us here
Or email:
matt@argo-arts.com
sara@argo-arts.com