Program Structure

• Fellows are expected to engage the program with openness and curiosity, regardless of prior familiarity with Athens.
• The residency is organized around a series of scheduled engagements developed by ARCAthens.
• These may include studio visits, institutional meetings, collection visits, engagements with the city’s civic and historical fabric, and other curated encounters.
• The program balances structured activity with time for independent exploration and research.
• The Athens Residency differs from studio-isolated models in that it emphasizes engagement and exchange. The program is built around active participation in a network of artists, curators, and institutions, and Fellows should be prepared for a residency experience that is outward-facing and structured around ongoing interaction.
• The schedule’s core framework is defined by ARCAthens. While individual visits and scheduling details may shift over the course of the residency, adjustments are made by the organization in response to availability, timing, and context, and are intended to support the overall coherence of the experience. Fellows are expected to remain broadly available for scheduled program activities; given the coordinated and time-sensitive nature of the residency, the program schedule is not developed through individual negotiation.

Participation

• Fellows are expected to actively engage with the program’s scheduled visits and encounters.
• Core program elements are considered central to the residency experience and are prioritized accordingly.
• Punctuality, preparation, and presence are expected in all scheduled engagements.
• The residency is designed as a shared experience; Fellows are expected to contribute to a respectful and collegial dynamic.
• Fellows are expected to remain based in Athens for the full duration of the residency. Given the time-sensitive and coordinated nature of the program, personal travel is limited and requires prior approval from ARCAthens.

Role of ARCAthens

• ARCAthens designs, coordinates, and facilitates the program.
• The organization provides access, introductions, and logistical support within the defined scope of the residency.
• Program decisions, scheduling, and format are determined by ARCAthens in consideration of the overall experience.

Scope of the Residency

• The residency is not a production platform for independently organized events or projects under the ARCAthens umbrella.
• Requests that extend beyond the program’s defined scope and capacities may not be accommodated.
• While dialogue is welcomed, the organization maintains final discretion over program-related decisions.

Public Engagement

• Fellows are expected to participate in a public engagement event organized by ARCAthens.
• These presentations are time-bound and audience-facing.
• Format, structure, and technical parameters are developed in coordination with ARCAthens and reflect the organization’s production capacity.

Communication and Conduct

• Fellows are expected to maintain professional and respectful communication with staff, collaborators, and hosts.
• The program often involves coordination across multiple individuals and institutions; responsiveness and clarity are essential.
• ARCAthens reserves the right to address behavior that disrupts the program or places undue strain on its operations.

Documentation, Images, and Public Communications

• ARCAthens documents the residency through photography, video, and written materials as part of its ongoing communications and archival practice.
• This documentation may be used across institutional channels, including the ARCAthens website, newsletters, and reports, where content is presented within the organization’s editorial framework.
• For more immediate and informal channels, such as social media, ARCAthens may seek input from Fellows regarding image selection when appropriate. While consideration is given to individual preferences, final decisions regarding documentation and its use remain with the organization.
• Fellows are expected to be reasonably available for documentation during the residency. Requests to limit or avoid documentation will be considered, but cannot be fully accommodated where they conflict with the program’s communications needs.
• The residency is a public-facing program, and participation includes a baseline level of visibility. Applicants who are not comfortable with this aspect of the program are encouraged to take this into consideration before applying.

Housing and Shared Living 

• Fellows are provided with a private bedroom, private bathroom, and shared access to common spaces.

• Visual Art Fellows are provided with access to a studio space for the duration of the residency. The studio is intended for individual work and research. Fellows are expected to maintain the space responsibly and leave it in good condition. Any materials, tools, or production-related needs are the responsibility of the Fellow.
• Fellows are expected to maintain a high standard of respect for shared living conditions.
• Consideration for co-residents and the space is essential to the residency experience.
• Fellows are expected to use utilities responsibly, including heating, air conditioning, and hot water. These systems should not be left running unnecessarily and should be turned off when not in use or when leaving the apartment. (For example, heating and water heaters should not be left running continuously when not needed.) The residency operates within a shared resource framework, and excessive or continuous use of utilities places a strain on both the organization and the environment.  
• The residency is designed for Fellows only. Guests are not permitted to stay overnight in the apartment. Short visits may be possible with prior approval from ARCAthens.
• Pets are not permitted.

Expenses and Production

• ARCAthens provides housing, travel, a fellowship prize, and a weekly stipend.
• Fellows are responsible for all other expenses, including food, local transportation, and any costs related to the production or shipping of work.
• The residency does not include production budgets or fabrication support.

Post-Residency

• ARCAthens does not support revisions or reworking of program-related materials or documentation following the conclusion of the residency.
• Documentation produced during the program reflects the residency as it occurred.

Final Note

The Athens Residency is designed as a focused, collaborative experience grounded in exchange, access, and research. Its structure is intentional, and its success depends on mutual respect for the framework within which it operates.