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Opportunity: 2023 AER Residency at Mahler & LeWitt Studios, Spoleto, Italy

a photo of a table and a chair with art materials on top
  • Written byPost-Grad Community
  • Published date 07 February 2023
a photo of a table and a chair with art materials on top
Photo by Carly Breame, AER Mahler & Lewitt Resident 2022

Applications accepted from UAL postgraduates (MA and PhD) and recent postgraduate alumni (within 24 months from graduation) only. Unless stated otherwise, only individuals can apply.

Applications deadline: Friday 5 May 2023 (midnight GMT) 

Apply at: Ual-residencies.slideroom.com

The Mahler & LeWitt Studios, sited in the old town of Spoleto, Italy, make use of the former studios of stone sculptor Anna Mahler and conceptual artist Sol LeWitt, as well as a medieval tower known as the Torre Bonomo. The residency programme provides a focused and stimulating environment for artists, curators and writers
to develop new ways of working in dialogue with peers and the unique cultural heritage of the region. Spoleto is an ancient hilltop town situated on the foothills of the Apennines, at the head of the Valle del Umbria in central Italy. Starting in the 1950s, Spoleto became known as a centre for contemporary art owing to the influential Festival dei Due Mondi, which is still held annually.

Programme overview:

This is a self-directed programme. Mahler & LeWitt Studios residencies value personal space for creative reflection whilst also encouraging in-depth and dynamic working relationships to evolve between peers, and an engagement with the region and their active programming. There are ceramics facilities as well as access to a range of tools for production. At the end of the session each resident can present their work-in-progress and is asked to develop a contribution to an end-of-year Mahler & LeWitt Studios publication, made available online and in print.

This AER Opportunity includes:

  • Four-week residency
  • Use of studio space and other facilities
  • Curator mentoring and feedback
  • Participation in an open studio event
  • Accommodation and personal kitchenette
  • Living expenses (cap £400)
  • Rail travel to Perugia, Italy (cap £500)*
  • Production budget (cap £500)
  • UAL grant of £500 on completion of residency and final report
  • * We strongly encourage rail travel to reduce carbon emission when possible. Youth Hostels provide affordable accommodations on the way if need be. AER team can advise on low carbon itinerary.

Residency dates

11 September to 8 October 2023

How to apply

Apply at: ual-residencies.slideroom.com

  • Curriculum Vitae (up to 1 page)
  • Letter of Motivation (up to 1000 word)
  • Digital Portfolio (up to 5MB)

Deadline is Friday 5 May 2023

Applicant Criteria

Applications accepted from UAL postgraduates (MA and PhD) and recent postgraduate alumni (within 24 months from graduation) only. Unless stated otherwise, only individuals can apply.

Important Information

Please Note: Successful applicants will be responsible for (i) arranging and booking their own travel to and from the place of Residency in accordance with guidance provided in the application call-outs or by AER administration team and (ii) arranging visas or other travel documentation as may be necessary as well as health and travel insurance. Successful applicants will be responsible for arranging and paying (if applicable) for any Covid-19 testing and/or complying with other travel and non-travel requirements as might be imposed by the local government at the Location or in the UK from time to time. Successful applicants will be required to sign an appropriate UAL AER Residency agreement which governs applicant’s participation on the Residency prior to the commencement of the Residency. All successful applicants shall receive a copy of the UAL AER Residency agreement following a formal confirmation on the grant of Residency.

Related Links

AER Team:

  • Professor Lucy Orta: AER Founder, UAL Chair of Art and the Environment, Centre for Sustainable Fashion
  • Camilla Palestra: AER Curator, Centre for Sustainable Fashion
  • UAL Post-Grad Community
  • International jury comprised of representatives from each of the hosting partners.

About the Art for the Environment Residency Programme (AER)

The Art for the Environment Residency Programme (AER) provides UAL graduates with the opportunity to apply for a 2 to 4 week fully funded residency at one of our internationally renowned host institutions, to explore concerns that define the 21st century – biodiversity, environmental sustainability, social economy and human rights.

Founded in 2015, internationally acclaimed artist Professor Lucy Orta, UAL Chair of Art for the Environment – Centre for Sustainable Fashion, launched the programme in partnership with international residency programmes and UAL Post-Grad Community. Find out more about AER

About UAL Post-Grad Community

UAL is home to more than 2,400 postgraduate students working across the fields of art, design, screen, communication, fashion, media and performance.  Within our six world-renowned colleges, we aim to form a creative network of artists, designers and innovators.

Post-Grad Community is an inclusive platform for UAL postgraduate students to share work, find opportunities and connect with other creatives within the University and beyond.