About the Open Call

prehistoric LAB residencies is a new self-directed residency program in Denpasar, Bali, designed for uninterrupted work. For its first season (2025/2026), we offer simple workspace and accommodation for up to eight practitioners per month, with no pressure to produce or perform. Emerging from the ongoing research platform prehistoricsoul.net , the residency focuses on process, providing space to work on projects, conduct research, connect with Balinese culture and local artists and researchers or reflect on your practice. While there are no set outcomes expected, residents who wish to develop a specific project may apply for a modest production budget to support its realization during their stay. We welcome practitioners across disciplines: visual artists, movement and performance makers, sound and music explorers, writers, researchers, archaeologists, anthropologists and those working across or beyond traditional categories. There are no set themes, residents may work independently or exchange ideas organically. This is a self-directed residency , giving residents the freedom to shape their own projects and work at their own pace. While there are no set expectations, we are open to organizing workshops or presentations of your work if you wish to share your process or outcomes with others. We are also happy to help facilitate connections with local artists, researchers, or communities if relevant to your practice. Residents can also choose whether they would like their work or reflections from the residency to be featured on our website.The residency takes place in a large open-plan house, located in Denpasar, Bali’s capital, in a quiet neighbourhood and overlooking the Ayung river, it offers both calm and access to the broader cultural energy of the island. It's around 20 minutes ride to the Sanur beach, 30 minutes ride to Ubud and 45 minutes ride to Canggu. The house features an upstairs open-plan studio of approximately 120m², providing a spacious area for individual or collaborative work which can also host indoor events/workshops/performances. The downstairs area includes a shared open kitchen, a living space with books and informal seating, and direct access to the garden. The garden also includes a projection area that can accommodate screenings, performances, or other outdoor events. The studio is equipped with basic tools including tables, lamps, a shared toolkit (scissors, knives, rulers, pliers), extension cords, a Bluetooth speakers, projector, push pins, clips, paper, paint, sketching materials. If your practice requires something specific, feel free to mention it in your application and we will do our best to help source it locally or find a simple solution together. The space has previously hosted dance, theatre, and music events. Residents are expected to care for the space and one another, following basic house guidelines. The residency runs in one-month sessions throughout the 2025/2026. Applicants may apply for one or two consecutive months, depending on availability from August 15 2025 to April 15, 2026 Accommodation options include: Shared Studio – available for groups of minimum 4 people and up to 6 people , ideal for theatre, dance, multimedia, or collaborative projects. Private Room (Yellow Room) – a private bedroom within the main house, with access to shared kitchen, bathroom, and common areas. Private House (Pavilion) – a self-standing small house with open kitchen, private bathroom, terrace studio, and access to garden and common areas. The residency offers three types of accommodation to suit different needs and project setups. The Shared Studio is an open-plan space that is usually available for individual or small projects. For groups of up to 6 people, it can be reserved as a collaborative residency space with shared accommodation. The studio includes flexible work areas and can be adapted to your group’s needs. If you have a group, please contact us directly for arrangements and further details. This option is ideal for collaborative projects in theatre, dance, multimedia, or other group-based creative practices. The Private Room (Yellow Room) is a private bedroom within the main house, measuring approximately 16m². It includes a working table, chair, rack, bed with lamp, and a beanbag, and has access to the shared kitchen, bathroom, and common areas. The Private House (Pavilion) is a self-standing small house of approximately 36m². It includes an ensuite toilet with hot water, a bed, working table, wardrobe with locker, and a small outdoor kitchen equipped with a stove, water heater, sink, and basic cooking utensils. The Pavilion provides a fully independent living and working space and includes a small terrace overlooking the river and the main house, with access to shared garden and common areas. Couples or residents with dependants are welcome to stay in the Pavilion. The residency fees are charged per person, per month. The Shared Studio (group booking) costs 100 EUR , the Yellow Room is 210 EUR , and the Private Pavilion is 310 EUR. A deposit of 20% of the total fee is required within seven days of acceptance: 20 EUR for the Shared Studio, 42 EUR for the Yellow Room, and 62 EUR for the Private Pavilion. We ask for this deposit to secure your spot and confirm your participation. Your residency fee covers accommodation, Wi-Fi, and access to all shared spaces including the kitchen, work studios, and garden areas. Drinking water tanks will be provided and regularly refilled throughout your stay. Fees go directly towards keeping the residency running, supporting art projects, and maintaining and improving the shared facilities. To keep costs affordable, food is not included. The kitchens are fully equipped with cooking utensils, and there are supermarkets as well as a large fresh fruit and vegetable market nearby for your daily needs. Regarding visas, please note we are unable to provide sponsorship. Most visitors can obtain a 30-day visa upon arrival in Indonesia, which can be extended once for a maximum 60-day stay. We recommend checking official immigration resources for your specific nationality requirements. All fees contribute directly to maintaining the residency, from utilities and internet to the upkeep of shared facilities and basic tools. This model allows us to keep costs affordable while providing a functional workspace. Residents should budget for personal expenses, which typically range from €200–€500 per month for food, transportation, and supplies, depending on lifestyle. The residency space currently has significant accessibility limitations: stairs at all entrances and no wheelchair-adapted bathrooms. We acknowledge that this excludes many individuals, and we are actively working on solutions for future iterations. If you have specific access needs, mobility, sensory, or health-related, please contact us before applying. We will be happy to explore potential workarounds, though some barriers may unfortunately be unavoidable. We encourage applicants of all nationalities, cultural backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and disciplines. The LAB is a shared space, we ask residents to actively contribute to an environment of mutual respect and openness.

What is Offered

Simple workspace and accommodation. Opportunity to apply for a modest production budget. Possibility to organize workshops or presentations. Facilitation of connections with local artists, researchers, or communities. Option for work or reflections to be featured on the prehistoricsoul website. Wi-Fi and drinking water tanks provided.

Requirements

Residents are expected to care for the space and one another, following basic house guidelines. Residents are asked to actively contribute to an environment of mutual respect and openness.

How to Apply

To apply please submit your application via this form. We will ask for a short statement about yourself, few examples of your work (upload or link to your portfolio or written statement about your practice), preferred session dates and accommodation choice and any specific needs or tools your practice requires. We ask that you apply at least three weeks before your planned residency. For group residency bookings, we request applications at least six weeks in advance.