A4 Residency Art Center runs this interdisciplinary residency in Chengdu, China. It invites artists, curators, designers, and other cross-sector creators to develop projects connected with local communities, cultural institutions, or commercial partners.
The current call covers autumn 2027, spring 2028, and autumn 2028; the 2027 deadline has passed, while applications for both 2028 periods remain open through 31 December 2026. Each residency is approximately eight weeks, with flexibility according to the project and selected route.
Benefits & funding
- International Residency Fellowship: private accommodation and workspace, round-trip economy airfare or second-class rail travel within a set budget, and RMB 10,000 per project for materials or production.
- The fellowship also provides local resource connections, guided Chengdu cultural experiences, official media promotion, group events, and opportunities to present outcomes.
- Light Version: private accommodation and workspace, venue and community-network access, promotion, cultural experiences, events, and presentation opportunities; the creator covers travel and production costs.
- The fellowship lasts at least eight weeks; the Light Version allows a flexible stay within an eight-week period.
Eligibility
- Multidisciplinary artists working in areas including visual art, performing art, music, film, sound, or architecture may apply.
- Curators developing cross-disciplinary exhibitions or projects, designers across product, fashion, spatial, or interactive practice, and other interdisciplinary creators connecting art, business, and culture may apply.
- The official call states no nationality, residency, degree, age, gender, or minimum-experience restriction.
- Residents must initiate one or two participatory local activities during the stay.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Download and complete the application form linked from the official call.
- 2Prepare a personal photo, portfolio, CV, and project proposal in both English and Chinese; the proposal should explain the project, objectives, method, and engagement with local communities or commercial partners.
- 3Choose the funded fellowship or Light Version and indicate 2027 autumn, 2028 spring, or 2028 autumn.
- 4Email the funded-fellowship application to a4residency@a4am.cn with the subject “A4 International Residency Application – [Your Name] – 2027 Autumn/2028 Spring/2028 Autumn”.
- 5Email the Light Version application to qiaojiayi@a4residency.com.cn with the subject “A4 Residency Light Version Application – [Your Name] – 2027 Autumn/2028 Spring/2028 Autumn”.
Program timeline
Application deadline for the autumn 2027 period.
Jun 30, 2026
Application deadline for the spring and autumn 2028 periods.
Dec 31, 2026
July–October 2027
Autumn 2027 residency window; each project lasts approximately eight weeks.
September–October 2027
Autumn 2027 outcomes presentation period.
April–June 2028
Spring 2028 residency window; each project lasts approximately eight weeks.
May–June 2028
Spring 2028 outcomes presentation period.
July–October 2028
Autumn 2028 residency window; each project lasts approximately eight weeks.
September–October 2028
Autumn 2028 outcomes presentation period.