Sustainable Art Production Research Residencies at the Museo Reina Sofía and L’Internationale

Location: Madrid, Spain, with research possible in other locations where appropriate
Number of residencies: Two
Residency period: 1 November 2026–28 February 2027
Duration: Four months
Grant: €5,000 per residency
Application languages: Spanish or English
Application deadline: 8 October 2026

Museo Reina Sofía and L’Internationale invite applications for two research residencies examining the climate crisis and the ecological, social and political sustainability of artistic and cultural practices.

The residencies form part of the Climate strand of Museum of the Commons, a project exploring how art and culture can contribute to a more sustainable and responsible cultural ecosystem.

About the Residencies

The programme supports research addressing the need to transform cultural institutions, artistic practices, social structures and ways of living in response to the global climate crisis.

Projects should connect with the work of Museo Reina Sofía and its Study Centre while encouraging exchange between artistic practice, knowledge production and other research fields.

Particular consideration will be given to proposals demonstrating engagement with local communities and the potential to collaborate with the Study Centre’s research network.

Continuous onsite presence at Museo Reina Sofía is not required. Depending on the needs of the project, research may also be undertaken in other locations.

Research Areas

Proposals may address subjects including:

• The ecological, social and political sustainability of the cultural sector;
• Tools, strategies, gestures and archives supporting sustainable cultural practices;
• Artistic and cultural research during the climate crisis;
• New ecological imaginaries, affects, languages and practices;
• Institutional, architectural and organisational experimentation;
• Food sovereignty;
• Climate migration and diasporic communities;
• Gardens, community allotments and community kitchens; and
• The shared use and collective ownership of natural resources.

Projects situated across disciplines and forms of knowledge are particularly encouraged.

Eligibility

Applications may be submitted by individuals or collectives.

The programme is intended for artists, researchers and cultural practitioners whose work addresses the environmental emergencies and social challenges produced by the climate crisis.

Applicants should propose a research project that:

• Can be undertaken within the four-month residency period;
• Engages with one or more of the programme’s research areas;
• Connects meaningfully with Museo Reina Sofía’s practices;
• Demonstrates a commitment to interdisciplinary research;
• Considers relationships with local communities; and
• Has the potential to contribute to the Study Centre’s research network.

About Museum of the Commons

Museum of the Commons is a project developed by L’Internationale, a European confederation of museums, art institutions and research organisations.

The project mobilises art and culture as tools for developing more sustainable and responsible cultural ecosystems. Its principal areas of inquiry include the climate emergency, decolonial perspectives and situated forms of institutional practice.

Image: Mauricio Freyre, Fundamental Errors [Errores fundamentales] (frame), 2025