Studio Asylum

Studio Asylum is located in the autonomous cultural centre Metelkova mesto in Ljubljana. It is primarily intended for artists working in the fields of music, visual and intermedia arts. It arose out of necessity, at the end of 2006, when the team of the Art Institute was forced to leave its premises in Goričko and seek temporary ‘asylum’ in Metelkova. After the team returned to Goričko, Studio Asylum started to perform guest residences of foreign artists, thus contributing to the diverse creative atmosphere of Metelkova mesto.

Since 2010, longer residency programs have been attended by more than 35 artists, who presented their final work in the form of an exhibition, concert, sound recording, performance, lecture, workshop, research, specific assignments, etc.

Residents are selected with invitations to participate in a specific project, via the application form  and once a year (in March) we publish an open call for the program ‘Artist on a Work Challenge’, which is intended for artists that reside outside of Ljubljana. Publication of the call ‘Artist on a Work Challenge’ 2021.

Studio Asylum welcomes artists also from other artistic disciplines, as well as other artists and cultural workers. Art residencies can last a maximum of three months, and the best time to host is from spring to autumn.

Studio parameters 

The studio measures 40 m² and includes working and living area separated by a glass wall. It has basic furnitures: bed, tables, chairs, closets, a refrigerator and an electric heater and AC. On the same floor, there are: kitchen, toilet and shower, shared by five studios (Studio Asylum, A-Infoshop and three art studios). Internet connection and some basic tools are available.

Administers of Studio Asylum provide:

– contact with local artists and cultural workers
– assistance in project realization
– help with the project presentation in Metelkova mesto or other venues in Ljubljana
– help with promotional activities
– assistance in fundraising for the residence, however only after preliminary such arrangement – twelve months prior to the start of the project Click here to apply!

The costs of the residence comprise:

– costs of transportation
– daily costs (food, mobile phone etc.)
– material cost
– utility costs

All those who are interested in the residence are kindly invited to send:

– a brief presentation of their reasons for choosing Studio Asylum
– a brief presentation of their project or activities they wish to perform
– examples of their work or their website and contact information.

Application form

KUD Mreža would like to draw the artists’ attention to the specifics of Studio Asylum. Metelkova mesto is an array of clubs, organizations, groups, artists, activists, visitors and tourists, which guarantees a creative and stimulating environment and requires a certain amount of patience and persistence.

For any additional information, please email to natasa.serec@gmail.com (Nataša Serec) with a subject “Residency – Studio Asylum”.