Residency Programmes

The Lucia Romualdi Archive (ALR) offers two residency programmes for artists, curators, and researchers from around the world: ALR Studio Residency and Studio Interludes / Passaggi in studio. Collective applications are also welcome from artistic duos or researchers working collaboratively.

The ALR Studio Residency programme offers residencies typically lasting from one to three months (duration depends on the sponsor). These residencies are funded by sponsors — including governments, companies, foundations, institutions, organisations, galleries, and private patrons — and can be accessed through sponsor nominations, open calls, or direct applications. ALR does not secure sponsors on behalf of direct applicants.

The Studio Interludes / Passaggi in studio programme consists of short-term residencies (up to one month), offered by invitation to emerging artists, curators, and researchers. The costs of these residencies (excluding travel and meals) are fully covered by ALR.

The residency programme is open to all fields of artistic, cultural, and scientific research of a theoretical or conceptual nature. The only restriction is that no materially impactful work may be carried out within the studio. In keeping with Lucia Romualdi’s poetics, the studio is not conceived as a site for physical production.

Projects involving writing, drawing, musical or theatrical/cinematic composition, contemporary dance or movement, curatorial practice, and scientific research (provided it requires no equipment beyond a personal laptop) are all welcome. More broadly, conceptual, theoretical, and project-based artistic practices are encouraged, including those intended for future realisation elsewhere.

Research projects involving, purely by way of example, writing, drawing, musical or theatrical/cinematographic composition, contemporary dance/movement, all activities related to curatorial practice, scientific research that does not require the on-site use of machinery other than one’s own laptop, as well as all forms of conceptual, theoretical, and project-based artistic activity — including those intended as preparatory stages for an operational realization to be developed at a later time and in another location — will instead be warmly welcomed.

All residencies take place in the refined and evocative studio of Lucia Romualdi — now home to ALR — located on Via Nicotera, just steps from the Tiber in the heart of Rome. Residents are granted exclusive access to the entire studio, as well as to an adjacent apartment with two bedrooms provided as accommodation.

The residencies are inspired by the way Lucia Romualdi conceived and inhabited her studio: as a place of transition, reflection, and suspension — an intimate and contemplative stage within a broader artistic and intellectual journey. While it is not required that research projects directly relate to her work or poetics, such a connection will be considered a preferential criterion in the selection process.

ALR staff reserve the right to access all spaces at any time during the residency, particularly the studio, where public events and initiatives may be organized, even if not directly involving the residents.

All ALR residencies include the following opportunities:

• Meetings with visiting scholars and critics (studio visits with curators and art professionals)
• Invitation to organise open studio visits for the public
• Invitation to organise talks, performances, exhibitions, or other forms of public presentation in collaboration with ALR staff
• Local visits, gallery tours, and other activities reserved for residents

There are three ways to apply:

1. Through a sponsor
2. open call
3. Direct application (rolling basis)

Through a sponsor ALR collaborates with numerous partner sponsors, including museums, institutions, foundations, and organisations that fund many of its residency opportunities. A list of ALR sponsors is available here here.

Open call ALR partners with funding bodies to offer fully funded residencies. One or more open calls are published annually. Finalists are selected by a jury organised by ALR, composed of curators and art professionals.

Direct application (rolling basis) ALR offers a direct application option for candidates who secure their own sponsor. Sponsors may be external institutions or private individuals who cover the programme fee and may also contribute to travel and living expenses. There is no deadline or application fee; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

The monthly programme fee for 2026 is €4,500.00.

To apply directly, applicants are asked to complete the application form (available for download) and submit it by email, together with supporting materials, to: residenze@archivioluciaromualdi.org. Please read the following requirements carefully.

Applications are evaluated by a jury composed of ALR representatives and invited experts. In addition to the applicant’s professional background, particular attention is given to:

 

• The artistic or scientific quality of the proposed research project
• The motivation regarding the relevance of the residency at ALR
• The proposed working methodology, as well as any existing contacts or agreements with institutions that may support the project during and beyond the residency

Applicants must include the following materials in a single PDF:

- Research proposal outlining motivations, field of practice, and any existing collaborations with institutions in Rome (e.g. museums, universities, archives)

- Curriculum vitae (max. 5 pages)

- Publications list or portfolio (10 images or video links, each with caption: title, date, medium, dimensions/duration, plus a brief description)

- 2–3 reviews (PDF, if available, max. 10 pages)

- 2–3 catalogues (PDF excerpts presenting the applicant’s work)

- 2–3 publications (PDF, if available)

- One letter of reference

- Contact details of a second referee (name, role, institution, email, phone, address)

Additional Information:

- Applicants must hold valid documents to reside in Italy for study purposes. Upon request, ALR can provide a support letter for visa applications

- ALR does not identify sponsors for direct applicants; candidates are responsible for securing funding and are strongly encouraged to begin this process early

- Residencies are scheduled at least six months in advance; availability is limited and dates can only be confirmed after funding is secured

- Non-Italian applicants must have excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of Italian is considered an asset

- Due to the high number of applications, ALR cannot guarantee feedback for unsuccessful candidates

- Former ALR residents may reapply; please indicate alumni status in the application

- Selected candidates will receive a formal letter of acceptance

Accepted applicants who have not yet secured a sponsor will have six months from the date of acceptance to do so. Once funding is confirmed, the candidate must notify ALR. The residency will then be scheduled and formalised through a signed agreement.

For further information: residenze@archivioluciaromualdi.org