USTKA RESORT

Open Call for Regenerative Residencies

---

The Baltic Gallery of Contemporary Art invites individuals working in the field of visual arts to participate in regenerative residencies in Ustka, organized as part of the Kurort Ustka program. These residencies were created to provide a space where rest, regeneration, and time for reflection are treated as integral parts of professional practice. We want to share the resources of the Baltic Gallery of Contemporary Art and create the conditions for a change of pace, rest, personal work, meeting others, or simply spending ten days by the sea. We do not expect participants to create a new artistic project, prepare an exhibition, or organize public events.

As part of the program, we will invite 16 people for 8 ten-day sessions for two people each, taking place from October 2026 to May 2027. Each participant will leave behind an original postcard—a visual or visual-textual record documenting their residency experience—and will take part in a podcast recording or conversation about their own practice, their experiences working in the arts, rest, regeneration, and the conditions necessary for a more sustainable way of functioning within the cultural sphere.

Who is it for?

This open call is directed at individuals professionally involved in the visual arts sector, regardless of their career stage or role.

We invite, among others:

• artists,
• curators,
• art critics,
• art educators,
• art mediators,
• art researchers,
• producers and coordinators,
• technical staff and exhibition producers,
• and employees of cultural institutions and the independent arts sector.

We are particularly eager to reach people for whom the opportunity to rest, travel, or participate in a residency program is difficult for various reasons.

Residency Dates

As part of this open call, we will select 16 participants for 8 two-person sessions:

Session I: October 8–18, 2026

Session II: November 12–22, 2026

Session III: December 3–13, 2026

Session IV: January 14–24, 2027

Session V: February 4–14, 2027

Session VI: March 4–14, 2027

Session VII: April 1–11, 2027

Session VIII: May 6–16, 2027

On the application form, you will be able to indicate all the dates on which you are available to participate.

What do we offer?

We provide each participant with:

• A 10-day stay and free lodging at BGSW in Ustka,
• a stipend of 2,000 PLN gross,
• access to the BGSW’s spaces, studios, and other resources,
• organizational support and guidance from the residency coordinator,

Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring that the residencies are accessible to people with diverse needs and in various life situations.

The BGSW building in Ustka is accessible to people with limited mobility. It features a threshold-free entrance, an elevator, and an accessible restroom.

For those arriving with a child or children, we can provide additional childcare during part of the stay. The scope and form of support will be determined on a case-by-case basis before the residency begins.

For other accessibility-related needs, we will strive to provide appropriate support and adapt the conditions of your stay to your individual situation. You may indicate these needs on the application form. We do not require you to provide diagnoses or medical documentation.

Accompanying Persons

It is possible to arrive at the residency with an accompanying person. Due to the program’s organization and the limited number of beds, an accompanying person may stay at BGSW for a maximum of 7 out of the 10 days of the residency.

The accompanying person’s stay is subject to an additional fee of 150 PLN per night and requires prior approval from the BGSW team.

How to Apply?

To apply for the program, please complete the application form by September 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM:

In the form, we’ll ask you for, among other things:

• basic information about yourself,
• a brief overview of your professional background, education, and work in the arts,
• information regarding your current professional and financial situation,
• a response to the question about your motivation for participating in the residency and what you hope to gain from your ten days in Ustka,
• a list of possible dates for your participation,
• and information about any accessibility needs or requirements related to organizing your stay.

We do not require you to prepare a residency proposal or an extensive portfolio.

Application Limit

We will accept a maximum of 250 applications for this call.

Once we have received 250 properly submitted forms, the call for applications will close, and subsequent applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted into the selection process on a first-come, first-served basis.

This means that the open call may close before September 7, 2026, if we reach the limit of 250 applications earlier.

Selection

Applications will be evaluated by a committee consisting of: Katarzyna Roj, Martyna Miller, Magdalena Koperska, and Aleksandra Jach

When selecting participants, we will primarily consider:

• the need for rest and regeneration,
• the potential significance of the residency for the applicant’s future professional or artistic practice,
• the applicant’s professional, financial, and personal circumstances,
• access to other opportunities for rest and support,
• and the diversity of experiences and perspectives among the participants in each session.

Artistic achievements, the number of exhibitions, awards, or the length of a resume will not be primary selection criteria.

We treat the information provided in the application form as declarative. We will not request documents confirming income level, financial situation, health status, or life circumstances, nor will we ask applicants to prove their need for regeneration.

Two people and one alternate will be selected for each session.

We will announce the results of the selection process on September 18, 2026.

Ustka Resort

“Ustka Resort” is organized by the Baltic Gallery of Contemporary Art in Słupsk.

Curator: Tomek Pawłowski-Jarmołajew

Coordination of the regeneration residencies: Weronika Wiśniewska