Open Call: Deconstructing Myths

News, Open call
Residency: AQB Budapest

Deadline: January 31 2026

KAIR Košice together with the partners from Czechia, Poland and Hungary are opening a new call for applications for artists working in Slovakia. The selected artist will be granted a two-month residency at AQB Budapest in 2026 and will be invited to participate in a collective festival and exhibition at AQB in 2027.

Deconstructing Myths 

The project supported by the Visegrad Fund deconstructs and reinterprets the symbolism of national identities in the V4 region within the framework of eight art residencies, exhibitions and one joint event. Participating artists will create artworks or develop performances with the support of curators and experts from the local scenes. The partners of the project are AQB in Budapest, KAIR Košice, Goyki 3 Art Inkubator in Sopot and MeetFactory in Prague. 

The project explores how art and culture are used to simplify and politicize traditional symbols, often stripping them of their original meaning and turning them into tools of nationalist messaging. By reinterpreting images and narratives through contemporary, independent art practices, the project aims to challenge new mythologies built on fear, emotion, and false unity, and to offer alternative perspectives rooted in complexity, diversity, context, and artistic freedom.

AQB Budapest

AQB is an independent contemporary art platform based in Budapest that brings together artist studios, exhibition spaces, and residency programs in a former industrial complex. It supports experimental and research-driven practices by providing space, technical resources, and an international network for artists and curators. 

website: http://aqb.hu/

The residency includes:

  • accommodation in Budapest
  • a separate studio at AQB
  • one time roundtrip transportation from the place of stay in the Slovakia to Budapest by train
  • a monthly stipend of 1000 EUR / month for expenses related to the residency, dispersed as per diem and artist fee
  • curatorial support and involvement of the resident in cultural activities in Budapest, such as exhibitions, open studios, performances, studio visits, etc.
  • expert support relevant to the project theme

 Residency dates:

The residency will take place from 1 March to 30 April 2026.
The residency cannot be completed in several parts.  

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Demonstrate professional experience in the practical implementation of artistic strategies for a minimum of 2 years (including completed solo and/or group exhibitions, public presentations, concerts, performances, publications…)
  • have completed their studies or not be studying during their stay
  • have a good level of English
  • be free from professional commitments for the duration of the stay

There is no age limit for the call.

The application, written in English, must include:

  • CV;
  • a portfolio of no more than 10 pages;
  • a motivation letter of no more than 1800 characters with a motivation for the residency, a project proposal and an idea for its implementation, in particular with regard to the above mentioned project.

Selection procedure:

The application will be reviewed by a committee composed of the curators of KAIR, AQB, MeetFactory and Goyki 3.

The committee reserves the right to reject any project without giving reasons for its decision. The decision of the committee is final and cannot be appealed. The partner institutions reserve the right to suspend, shorten, extend or postpone.

The deadline for applications is 31 January 2026 inclusive. Applications sent after this date will not be accepted for the selection procedure.

The results of the call will be published no later than 16 February 2026 on the KAIR website. 

The selected applicant will be contacted by email.

TO APPLY, PLEASE FILL OUT THE REGISTRATION FORM https://forms.gle/73Pc8e46sd11qeTp8

For questions about the program or application process:

Petra Housková: petra.houskova@kair.sk