Residency Program

This residency centres on the translation between culture and material. Through living, research and exchange, artists are invited to engage with different cultural contexts, local ways of living, materials and craft practices, allowing their existing methods to develop through new encounters and dialogue.

Rather than beginning with a fixed theme or expected outcome, the residency is conceived as an open-ended process of research and translation. ‘Taiwan’ serves as the site for observation, field research, material exploration and everyday exchange, with an emphasis on process rather than the production of finished works.

We welcome artists with an established creative practice who are interested in engaging with different cultural contexts, local environments or material translation. Applicants are required to submit a clear research direction or project proposal. Within the proposal, they may identify specific people, organisations or places they wish to engage with, or outline the areas they hope to explore. Based on each proposal, YÁO will assist in connecting applicants with relevant collaborators, sites and resources whenever possible. As all arrangements depend on availability, scheduling and mutual agreement, connections with specific collaborators, craftspeople, organisations or sites cannot be guaranteed.

This residency is best suited to artists, makers, researchers and interdisciplinary practitioners who are capable of self-directed research and interested in transforming research into artistic practice.

This residency adopts a two-phase structure.

Through previous residency experiences, we found that artists entering a new environment need to devote significant time to observation, field research and exchange, rather than focusing on the production of finished works. This led us to reconsider whether a limited residency period should be expected to accommodate both in-depth local research and the completion of a fully realised body of work.

Phase One focuses on research and local engagement. Through observation, field research, exchange and material exploration, artists are encouraged to immerse themselves in the cultural contexts, living environments and local networks relevant to their proposals. Towards the end of the residency, an Open Studio presents research processes, material experiments, works in progress and other ongoing developments for public exchange.

The Open Studio is not intended as a final exhibition. Research in progress, material experiments and unfinished works are all welcome forms of presentation.

Following Phase One, the artist will have a period of time to continue developing the research, observations, materials and experiences gathered during the residency into their work. Phase Two takes place the following year, when this development will lead to a public exhibition or another suitable form of presentation at YÁO. Phase Two will generally be planned around the artist returning to Taiwan to participate in exhibition preparation and public presentation. The form of participation and length of stay will be discussed according to the exhibition format and circumstances of both parties. The exhibition is expected to run for at least six weeks, with the final schedule and format to be developed together with the selected artist.

The program will select one artist/practitioner. The selected participant is expected to commit to both phases of the program.

Residency Period
21 Aug – 21 Nov 2027

Open Studio
27 Oct – 16 Nov 2027

Exhibition at YÁO
2028 (Exhibition dates to be confirmed with the selected artist.)