Open Call: SAM Residencies Cycle 4

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

SAM Residencies Cycle 4 is inviting artists, curators, educators, researchers, and creative practitioners from around the world to pursue independent research and artistic practice in Singapore. The residency program, launched by the Singapore Art Museum, provides financial and practical support while encouraging critical artistic research, experimentation, and engagement with Singapore’s contemporary art scene. International residents receive a S$1,500 monthly stipend, roundtrip economy airfare, housing arrangements, and assistance with visa formalities. Singapore-based residents receive a S$1,500 monthly stipend plus a S$250 local allowance.

About SAM Residencies Cycle 4

SAM Residencies Cycle 4 is designed to create space for artists and creative practitioners to undertake independent research, experiment with new ideas, and engage with Singapore’s vibrant contemporary art environment. The program welcomes practitioners from different disciplines and backgrounds and encourages them to develop their own research and creative practices while connecting with local communities. Residency Themes The program is organized around three thematic strands: - Listening/Attuning – Exploring ways of listening, sensing, observing, and responding to urgent social, cultural, and environmental questions. - Making/Material Cultures – Focusing on material inquiry, making practices, objects, processes, and relationships between materials and culture. - Beyond Human/Interdependence – Examining relationships between humans, technologies, ecologies, and other forms of life and systems. Residents are encouraged to interpret these themes through the lens of their own artistic or professional practice. Who Can Apply? The program is open to a wide range of creative and cultural practitioners worldwide.

Potential applicants include:

- Artists. - Curators. - Educators. - Researchers. - Creative practitioners. Applicants can develop independent research or creative projects that connect with one or more of the residency’s thematic strands. Support for International Residents International residents undertaking residencies of one to three months receive several forms of financial and logistical support.

Support includes:

- S$1,500 monthly stipend. - Roundtrip economy airfare. - Housing arrangement. - Assistance with visa formalities. This support enables international participants to focus on their independent research and artistic practice during their time in Singapore. Support for Singapore-Based Residents Singapore-based residents can undertake residencies of up to six months.

They receive:

- S$1,500 monthly stipend. - S$250 monthly local allowance. The longer residency period provides Singapore-based practitioners with additional time to develop their research, experimentation, and engagement activities. Support for Duos and Collectives The program also supports practitioners participating as duos or collectives. Financial support is extended to each individual member of an eligible duo or collective, allowing collaborative practitioners to participate in the residency together. Independent Research and Artistic Practice A central objective of SAM Residencies is to provide residents with the freedom to pursue independent research and practice. Residents can use the residency period to: - Develop new artistic ideas. - Conduct research. - Experiment with materials and creative methods. - Explore urgent social or environmental questions. - Investigate relationships between humans and technology. - Explore ecological interdependence. - Develop new approaches to contemporary art practice. The program emphasizes research and experimentation rather than requiring residents to produce a predetermined type of artistic outcome. Engagement With Singapore’s Art Scene Residents are encouraged to engage with Singapore’s contemporary art scene and local communities during their residency.

This can provide opportunities to:

- Connect with local artists and practitioners. - Engage with communities. - Exchange knowledge and ideas. - Explore Singapore’s cultural context. - Develop collaborative relationships. - Respond to local issues through artistic research. Public Engagement Opportunities Although residents pursue independent research, public engagement is an important part of the residency experience. Residents may share their work and research through formats such as: - Open studios. - Workshops. - Talks. - Other public presentations and engagement activities. These activities provide opportunities for residents to exchange ideas with audiences and the wider creative community. Residency Duration The residency duration depends on the applicant’s residency category.

International residents:

- Residency duration of one to three months. - Monthly stipend of S$1,500. - Roundtrip economy airfare. - Housing arrangements. - Visa assistance.

Singapore-based residents:

- Residency duration of up to six months. - Monthly stipend of S$1,500. - Monthly local allowance of S$250. Why Apply to SAM Residencies? SAM Residencies Cycle 4 provides an opportunity for creative practitioners to step away from routine professional environments and dedicate focused time to research and experimentation.

The program combines:

- Financial support. - Research time. - Artistic experimentation. - International or local exchange. - Community engagement. - Public presentation opportunities. - Access to Singapore’s contemporary art environment. It can be particularly valuable for practitioners interested in developing new ideas around material cultures, ecological relationships, technology, and contemporary social issues. How to Develop a Strong Residency Proposal Applicants should consider how their proposed research or practice connects with the residency’s themes.

A strong proposal should:

- Clearly describe the research or artistic practice. - Explain the questions or issues being explored. - Identify the relevant thematic strand or