TED & POSCA Global Artist Residency 2026: Apply for a USD $15,000 Opportunity to Create Public Art for Social Change
TED & POSCA Global Artist Residency 2026: Apply for a USD $15,000 Opportunity to Create Public Art for Social Change
Are you an artist passionate about using creativity to inspire dialogue, strengthen communities, and spark social change? The TED & POSCA Global Artist Residency 2026 is now accepting applications from artists around the world.
Led by Fine Acts as the curatorial partner, this unique residency brings together artists working across different cultures and communities to create meaningful public art rooted in collaboration, hope, and repair.
Selected artists will each receive USD $15,000 to develop and implement community-centered public art interventions in 2027.
About the Residency
Unlike traditional artist residencies, the TED & POSCA Global Artist Residency is decentralized. Rather than relocating to a single location, selected artists remain within their own communities while participating in a shared global creative programme.
The residency encourages artists to collaborate with local communities, transform public spaces, and explore ideas that contribute to positive social change.
Fine Acts will provide creative direction and coordination throughout the programme, while TED and POSCA offer global visibility and storytelling support.
Residency Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | TED & POSCA Global Artist Residency 2026 |
| Partners | TED, POSCA & Fine Acts |
| Residency Type | Global Distributed Artist Residency |
| Application Deadline | 31 July 2026 |
| Residency Duration | One Year |
| Project Implementation | 2027 |
| Number of Artists Selected | Four |
| Funding | USD $15,000 per artist |
| Location | Artists remain in their own communities |
2026 Theme: Visible Mending
The 2026 residency explores the theme Visible Mending, inspired in part by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold to celebrate rather than conceal its history.
Artists are invited to explore repair as both a creative and civic act by examining how communities:
- Restore relationships
- Rebuild trust
- Heal social divisions
- Protect ecosystems
- Strengthen community resilience
- Transform challenges into opportunities for growth
Projects should encourage reflection, participation, and collective imagination through public artistic interventions.
What Selected Artists Receive
Each selected artist will receive:
- USD $15,000 covering artist fees, production, community engagement, and project documentation.
- Funding for community activation activities.
- Creative mentorship and storytelling support.
- Access to TED and Fine Acts’ international platforms.
- Professional visibility through TED and POSCA networks.
- Opportunities to collaborate with fellow artists from around the world.
Residency Highlights
This programme is designed around several guiding principles:
- Artists remain embedded in their local communities.
- Projects take place in public spaces.
- Community participation is central to the creative process.
- Artistic collaboration is valued as much as the final outcome.
- A shared conceptual framework connects projects globally while allowing local interpretation.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to artists worldwide, regardless of previous collaborations with TED, POSCA, Fine Acts, or their affiliated partners.
Applicants are encouraged to submit original ideas that:
- Explore the theme of Visible Mending.
- Engage communities in meaningful ways.
- Create public-facing artistic interventions.
- Demonstrate creativity, relevance, and feasibility.
Fully developed projects are not required at the application stage. Selected artists will refine their proposals collaboratively with the curatorial team.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Originality of the concept.
- Artistic quality.
- Community engagement potential.
- Relevance to the residency theme.
- Feasibility of implementation.
- Alignment with the programme’s values.
About the Partners
TED
TED is a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading ideas that inspire people to think differently and take action through powerful storytelling.
POSCA
POSCA is a globally recognized creative brand known for its high-quality paint markers and art supplies that empower artists to transform public spaces through creativity.
Fine Acts
Fine Acts is a global nonprofit creative studio that collaborates with artists and social movements to drive positive social change through participatory public art.
Why Apply?
The TED & POSCA Global Artist Residency offers more than financial support. It provides artists with an opportunity to:
- Create meaningful public art.
- Collaborate with local communities.
- Join a growing international network of socially engaged artists.
- Gain worldwide exposure through TED and Fine Acts.
- Receive professional mentorship and creative support.
- Contribute to a long-term archive of civic artistic interventions.
How to Apply
Interested artists should:
- Review the programme terms and frequently asked questions.
- Develop a project concept inspired by the theme Visible Mending.
- Complete the online application.
- Submit the application by 31 July 2026.
Final Thoughts
The TED & POSCA Global Artist Residency 2026 is an exciting opportunity for artists committed to using creativity as a catalyst for community engagement and social transformation. By supporting projects rooted in repair, hope, and collaboration, the residency empowers artists to make lasting contributions within their communities while becoming part of a global movement for civic creativity.
If you’re ready to transform public spaces through art and inspire meaningful conversations, this residency could be the perfect opportunity to bring your vision to life.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
