Ceramics Residency

Requirements

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• 2+ years of professional experience for applicants with a degree or professional certification in ceramics/arts / visual arts or
• 4+ years of professional experience for self-taught applicants
• a solid work plan and/or a strong concept for the work they want to develop with us

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We are offering two different types of residency: 

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1. Independent residency
2. Ceramics mural residency

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The independent residency program is directed at artists who are looking for an opportunity to deepen existing work or develop new ideas. We will select between 6 and 9 artists for this mode.

The ceramics mural residency program we will select 2 artists to develop ceramics murals installations in the town of Salemi.

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Residency conditions

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We provide free of charge:

• Pick-up and drop-off from Palermo airport on arranged dates
• Accommodation with a private room in a shared flat within walking distance of the studio
• Mon-Fri breakfast and lunch
• Possibility to participate in cultural activities together with our students
• Private working space at the convent, accessible 24/7
• Unlimited access to studio facilities and infrastructure 
• Materials and tools (to be requested in advance)
• Technical assistance and mentorship from our staff
• Possibility to leave pieces for sale at the studio gallery with a 40% commission

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Artists working on murals for the town will also receive a fee of 500€. 

Residents developing personal work (not mural) will not receive any fee.

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We ask:

• For at least one piece to be donated to the Salemi Ceramics permanent collection

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We do not offer:

• To cover for the costs of flights or other transport to Sicily
• Pick-up and drop-off from/to airports other than Palermo airport
• To cover the costs of shipping pieces made during the residency

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Studio Facilities

Our studio is currently equipped with:

• 2 high-temperature kilns, 70 and 125L (in 2025 we will purchase a 400L Nabertherm kiln with approx height of 80cm and build a 260L fast firewood kiln)
• 300W and 400W wheels
• large slab roller
• vacuum pugmill
• extruder
• tools for hand-building, wheel throwing, and glaze preparation
• white stoneware with impalpable grog (PRAI from Sio2)
• materials and minerals for glaze making

If residents need specific materials they can request them in advance.

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How to apply

To apply you must submit our application form.

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You may apply for 2 different modes of residency: 

1. Independent residency
2. Ceramics mural residency

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You will be able to select your preferred modality in the application form. 

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The form will request your personal details as well as:

• CV and bio (max 1 A4 page, or 2 slides)

• Project proposal (max 1 A4 page, or 2 slides)
• Portfolio of recent work (max 4 A4 pages, or 8 slides)

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Please have all these documents ready before you start your application.

Selection procedure

The selection process is carried out by a committee of internal and external judges, including the Salemi Ceramics team and international professionals. 

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The applications will be assessed based on:

• Quality of existing work 
• Quality and feasibility of project proposal
• Evidence of the applicant's technical capacity to develop the proposal
• Evidence of the applicant’s capacity to work with high-quality standards

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We will also look for a balance between International and Italian applicants, professional background, gender and age. We believe that a group that is as diverse as possible is very valuable for mutual exchange.

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At Salemi Ceramics, we believe that equal opportunities are extremely important and we want to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which people have the opportunity to flourish. We encourage everyone from different backgrounds, ages, experiences, cultural and ethnic backgrounds to register.

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Please note that unfortunately, we are not currently able to provide accommodation and all-round access for people with disabilities.

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