Applications are now open for:​​

"Episkeptes" Residency Program 2026

Hosted at Lemba Cultural Village, Paphos by Kimonos Art Center

 

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Kimonos Art Center is proud to announce the 5th edition of “Episkeptes”, an international residency program. This year, we are taking a significant step forward: the program will be hosted within the newly managed Lemba Cultural Village, an ambitious creative hub designed to foster artistic research and production.

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About Kimonos Art Center

Kimonos Art Center is an independent, non-profit collective based in Paphos, Cyprus. For years, we have been dedicated to fostering a vibrant creative community by gathering a variety of artistic disciplines under one roof. Our goal is to make art and specialized techniques accessible to the public through workshops, classes, and collaborative projects. As a collective, we strive to be a home for creators to exchange ideas, experiment with professional equipment, and connect with the local community. "Episkeptes" is the embodiment of this mission, serving as a bridge between international artists and the rich creative spirit of Cyprus.

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The Venue: Lemba Cultural Village

This year, selected artists will live and work in the unique environment of the Lemba Cultural Village. This site is more than a residency; it is an active ecosystem that merges tradition with cutting-edge production facilities.

The space provides a professional infrastructure designed for creators of all visual disciplines, including:

Specialized Workshops: Painting & Mixed Media, Printmaking, Photography (Darkroom & Fine Art Printing), Ceramics, and the Tech Lab.

Living Quarters: A dedicated "Residency Neighborhood" offering private bedrooms, communal living areas, and kitchen facilities, fostering a vibrant environment for international collaboration.

The Hub: Access to a dedicated lecture/presentation room, research archives, and a central gallery space.

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Program Overview

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"Episkeptes" welcomes artists from around the world to meet, research, and create in a setting that bridges traditional techniques with modern technological tools. We are looking for three international artists of any visual discipline (painters, photographers, installation artists, printmakers, video, and multimedia artists) for a one-month residency.

While the program imposes no fixed concept, we invite artists to engage with the unique identity of Lemba and the broader Cypriot landscape. We are particularly interested in proposals that explore humanitarian, social, or environmental themes, viewing these through the lens of our site—a place where ancient heritage, Mediterranean biodiversity, and contemporary realities coexist. Whether your approach is abstract or documentary, or whether you are mapping local realities onto universal human experiences, we welcome projects that draw inspiration from the historical, cultural, or ecological facets of Lemba, Paphos, or the island of Cyprus. A selection committee will evaluate applicants based on artistic experience, merit, and the conceptual strength of the project proposal.

A Note on the Venue: To give you a better sense of the scale and architecture of our new home, we invite you to explore the space through this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj09tZATg4U

Please note that this footage was filmed for documentation purposes prior to our arrival. At that time, the spaces were unoccupied; rest assured that by the time you arrive, the studios will be fully functional, organized, and equipped with the specialized tools described in this call. Furthermore, please be aware that we have re-imagined the layout and primary functions of several spaces to better serve our new creative programs and resident artists.

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Residency Includes,

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Accommodation: Private bedroom in the Lemba Residency Neighborhood with access to common kitchen and laundry facilities. The Residency Neighborhood features well-maintained, modern common facilities, including shared bathrooms and showers, which are cleaned and maintained regularly to ensure a comfortable living environment for all residents.

Workspace: Full access to workspace within the specialized Lemba studio complex.

Equipment: Access to the village's extensive technical equipment (subject to availability/booking).
The call is open to all visual artists of any discipline.
In case the applicants require specific requirements concerning the equipment they wish to work with, we suggest they contact Kimonos Art Center before applying, in order to confirm the availability of such equipment.

Support: Technical and day-to-day assistance.

Funding: Up to 250 euros for travel reimbursement and 1250 euros for each participant for materials and living expenses.

Expectations towards the artist:
Artists are expected to present the work created during the residency to the public in the form of an exhibition, presentation, or performance. Furthermore, in collaboration with the Center, artists are welcome to propose and host a workshop if it aligns with their practice. These events will be organized by the hosting organization and curated by Yiannis Sakellis in collaboration with the participating artists.

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Timeline,

 

Residency Period: Between January and February 2027.

Duration: One month (including the final presentation/exhibition).

Deadline for Applications: November 16th.

Results Announcement: November 30th, 2026 (via the Kimonos Art Center website).

 

Application Requirements,

Project proposal (Short description of the work to be developed during the residency).

Artist statement.

Short bio and CV.

Portfolio.

Suggested dates for residency presence.

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Application Fee: 25 euros (non-refundable) paid via our website. This fee contributes directly to the residency's operational costs.

Kimonos Art Center is a non-profit collective; all resources are reinvested into the program and our artists.

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How to Apply: Submit your application via our online form: www.kimonosartcenter.com/residency

Information: For further inquiries, please contact: info@kimonosartcenter.com

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The program is partially funded by the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus.

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