About the Open Call

WilderHaven 2026 is held at Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er, southwest China, a UNESCO World Heritage site representing over 1,300 years of continuous tea cultivation. The residency offers two sessions: Session I (Practices of Slowness) focuses on tea, textiles, and ecologies of time through a hybrid format, while Session II (Fall Residency) is a free-theme program. The initiative aims to bridge contemporary artistic expression with deep-rooted cultural traditions, providing a platform for idea sharing, open dialogue, and experimental practices within ethnic communities like the Blang, Dai, Hani, and Wa peoples.

What is Offered

Shared or private housing with private bathrooms, shared open studio workspaces, on-site facilitators, curated cultural excursions, group meals, and potential participation in curated group exhibitions in Beijing or Sichuan. A merit-based stipend (WilderHaven Award) is available to reduce residency fees for selected artists.

Requirements

Artists and researchers must be 21+ years old. Open to all mediums including visual arts, textile, film, digital media, architecture, and writing. International applicants are welcome. Programs are conducted in Mandarin and English.

How to Apply

Applicants must apply through the online application link available on the WilderHaven website or via the provided Google Form. The process requires a portfolio and a project proposal.