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The Union of Bulgarian Artists announces a competition for a creative (two-month) residency at the Cité internationale des arts, Paris for the calendar year 2026. The aim of the competition is to select up to 12 artists (residents), full members of the UBA.

COMPETITION ENTRY CONDITIONS

The competition for the Cité des Arts shall be open to artists who are either first time applicants or have resided in the studios before 2016, inclusive.

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Required application documents:

  • An application that can be downloaded from the UBA website or filled out on site;
  • An artist CV;
  • A detailed motivation letter for the purposes of the residency;
  • A portfolio – both electronic and printed versions, a photo material or catalogue presenting the artist, critical texts;
  • A receipt of UBA membership fee paid until 2025, inclusive.

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Submission of documents

  • Date: 16 September 2025 between 10:00 and 17:00 h;
  • Location: 6 Shipka Street, 4th floor.

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Submission of works

On the same day the participants in the competition shall also submit their works at Exhibition Hall 1B in the building at 6 Shipka Street between 10:00 and 17:00 h. No documents submitted after this date and time shall be considered by the jury.
Each applicant shall fill out a declaration confirming they are the author of the works participating in the exhibition.

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 Exhibition requirements:

  • Up to three original works (for painting, sculpture, graphic arts, applied arts);
  • List and copies of publications (for art historians);
  • Reproductions in a portfolio or up to 3 panels (for spatial design, design, murals, scenography, etc.);
  • The exhibition area shall be up to 5 linear meters for wall works, up to 4 square meters for three-dimensional works, up to 3 meters height. For three-dimensional works that require special placement and cannot be moved, a diagram or documentary (photo) material shall be presented when arranging the exhibition.
  • Student and graduation projects shall not be accepted.

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Jury’s decision

  • The jury's decision shall be announced on Thursday, 19 September 2025, at the opening of the applicants' exhibition (18:00 h).
  • After the exhibition is closed, the participants there shall take their works and portfolio back within two days. The UBA shall be responsible for the applicants' works for 15 days after the exhibition is closed only.
  • The competition winners (residents) shall make a donation of works to the UBA. They shall be selected from the works submitted to the competition by a committee appointed by the UBA’s Executive Bureau. By 15 October 2025 Graphic Design Section members shall sign a declaration whereby they undertake to complete 4 invitation or poster projects in favor of the UBA; Art Criticism Section members shall sign a declaration that they shall provide 5 original texts (1.5 pages each) for the needs of the UBA (newsletter, exhibition projects, etc.); Scenography Section and Design Section members shall sign a declaration that they shall provide a service related to the spatial arrangement of UBA’s exhibitions.
  • In case a competition winner decides to terminate their stay at the Cité des Arts for no good reason they shall be responsible to pay rent for the remaining days, which they shall pay to the UBA. Each individual case shall be considered by the UBA’s Executive Bureau.

Note: Due to upcoming renovation of the UBA’s second studio in Cité des Arts one of the shifts in 2026 shall have a reduced duration. The studio renovation shall take place in April, May and June 2026.