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
1. 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 2017, inclusive.
2. The competition is held in two stages:
- First stage – candidates send by email:
An artist CV – in Bulgarian and mandatory in English or French
A portfolio
Proposal for a project during the residency (or letter of intent) – in Bulgarian and in English or French
At the address: new_members@sbh.bg
deadline: from July 1, 2026 to 24:00 on July 13, 2026.
All applications are submitted for consideration in Cité internationale des arts.
- Second stage – candidates provide on paper:
An application that can be downloaded from the UBA website (in September) or filled out on site;
An artist CV – in Bulgarian and mandatory in English or French
A portfolio
Proposal for a project during the residency (or letter of intent) – in Bulgarian and in English or French
A receipt of UBA membership fee paid until 2026, inclusive.
Date: September 14, 2026 (Monday) from 10:00 to 17:00
Location: 6 Shipka Street, 4th floor.
3. Works, jury and exhibition
On the same day (September 14, 2026 (Monday) from 10:00 to 17:00) the participants in the competition shall also submit their works at Exhibition Hall 1B in the building at 6 Shipka Street. 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.
4. Exhibition requirements:
Up to three original works (for painting, sculpture, graphic arts, applied arts);
List and copies of publications (for art critics);
Reproductions in a portfolio or up to 3 panels – size 100/70 cm (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.
5. Jury’s decision
The jury's decision shall be announced on Friday, 18 September 2026, at the opening of the applicants' exhibition (6:00 pm)
6. After the exhibition closes, participants must retrieve their artworks and portfolios within two days. UBA is responsible for the candidates' artworks for only 15 days after the exhibition closes.
7. The contest winners (residents) shall donate artworks to the UBA. These works are selected by a commission appointed by the UBA’s Executive Bureau from among the works submitted to the competition. Until October 15, 2026, members of the "Graphic Design" section shall sign a declaration committing to execute 4 invitation or poster designs for the benefit of the UBA; members of the "Art Criticism" section shall sign a declaration committing to provide 5 authorial texts (1.5 pages each) for the needs of the UBA (newsletter, exhibition projects, etc.); members of the "Scenography" and "Design" sections shall sign a declaration committing to provide a service related to the spatial design of UBA exhibitions.
8. In case a competition winner decides to terminate their stay at the Cité des Arts without valid grounds, they shall owe rent for the remaining days, payable to the UBA. Each individual case shall be considered by the UBA’s Executive Bureau.