open call: 'alterlife"

Rupert (Vilnius) and Sonic Acts (Amsterdam) are pleased to announce the open call for the second edition of ALTERLIFE – a joint production and research residency that invites interdisciplinary artists and collectives to develop bold, process-driven work in response to the escalating climate emergency and the conditions it exposes.

Following the success of the first edition, where artist Alina Schmuch was selected from over 500 international applicants, this new cycle of ALTERLIFE offers a unique opportunity for critical artistic exploration and meaningful experimentation across two residency periods:

• Residency p. 1 – Rupert, Vilnius, Lithuania: April–May 2026.
• Residency p. 2 – Sonic Acts, Amsterdam, the Netherlands: November 2026.
• Presentations – The final exhibition or presentation at Rupert is scheduled between late 2026 and 2027, with exact dates to be finalised in consultation with the selected artist(s). The presentation in Amsterdam will take place during the Sonic Acts Biennial in early 2028.

Theme

The name of this combined residency and production programme is adapted from feminist scholar M Murphy’s concept of ‘alterlife’ – a term that captures how life, human and non-human, has been chemically and structurally altered by centuries of colonial and capitalist systems. This year, the curatorial teams of Rupert and Sonic Acts welcome proposals that go beyond highlighting the environmental impact of the climate emergency, and instead interrogate the cultural, political and historical forces shaping our collective future. As Murphy says, ‘embodiment does not provide a respite or escape from history, from infrastructures, from relations of power.’

In this spirit, ALTERLIFE encourages a process-led artistic approach informed by speculative thought and critical inquiry. Taking inspiration from Saidiya Hartman’s method of critical fabulation – experimental storytelling that reclaims obscured histories and proposes alternative realities – artists are invited to imagine new ways of being, relating and creating. Once again, we ask: while confronting the compound crises we face, how can Murphy’s concept of ‘alterlife’ offer a new approach to life?

What we expect

This residency supports the development of a new artwork over a three-month period, split between Vilnius and Amsterdam, and culminates in the production of a new commission – with iterations to be presented at Rupert and at the Sonic Acts Biennial in 2028. Artists will have access to the research, production, and curatorial resources of both organisations, with time dedicated to both exploration and making.

During the residency, artists are expected to share their research and work-in-progress through a public presentation in each location. This may take the form of a lecture, performance, sound or field walk, screening, or other format suited to the artist’s practice.

We invite proposals that respond to the overarching theme of the residency, and that place strong emphasis on public engagement and final presentation. We are particularly interested in installation-based work that may incorporate video, sound, performance, or other hybrid forms. Artists should demonstrate a clear vision for how their practice will unfold across both locations and culminate in a final art project.

Residency at Rupert – www.rupert.lt

Rupert is an independent, publicly funded centre for art, residencies, and education, founded in 2012 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The organisation’s mission is to establish close cooperation between artists, researchers, and other cultural actors through transdisciplinary programmes that integrate with local society and connect it to a global creative community. Rupert manifests this mission through three related activities: the residency programme, the alternative education programme, and the public programme. All are platforms for conversation, research, and learning, supporting innovative thinkers at all stages of development to establish their creative practice internationally.

From late 2025, Rupert will be located in the Naujamiestis district, near the city centre. This newly renovated facility hosts live-in residency studios, a guest studio, exhibition and multipurpose spaces, a research and reading room, and team offices. Rupert provides one studio (max. occupancy of 2) and a combined stipend for the two-month residency period. The kitchen and bathroom facilities at Rupert are shared by all residents. Please note that the building is not step-free accessible. However, the Rupert team is happy to discuss accommodations for special access needs or families, if required. More information is available on Rupert’s website or by contacting info@rupert.lt.

Residency at Sonic Acts – www.sonicacts.com

Founded in 1994 to present new developments in electronic and digital art forms, Sonic Acts has gained prominence with its biennial international festival – an intensive art, theory and technology gathering motivated by changes in the ecological, political, technological and social landscape. Sonic Acts is also a leading platform for international projects, research and the commissioning and co-production of new artworks, often working together with local and international partner organisations such as independent and institutional cultural incubators, universities and kindred festivals.

For this residency, artist(s) will have access to Sonic Acts’ studio infrastructure, which includes two state-of-the-art audio and video studios equipped with professional-grade sound, video, and lighting systems. The facilities include a multichannel audio setup, 3D and VR headsets, projectors, streaming capabilities, and high-end equipment such as cameras, sensors, microphones, and field recording kits. Sonic Acts also provides access to licensed software for professional audio/video production, 3D modelling, and spatial sound. While Sonic Acts does not have an on-site guesthouse, suitable accommodation in Amsterdam will be arranged for the selected artist(s) for the duration of the residency. For further information, please visit Sonic Acts’ website or contact info@sonicacts.com.

ALTERLIFE is part of New Perspectives for Action, a collaboration between Rupert (LT) and Sonic Acts (NL) and a project of Re-Imagine Europe, co-funded by the European Union.