“ECOSYSTEMS AS LIVING COMMUNITIES” vol. II UniCredit Group UNIDEE Connective Residencies 2025-26

Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte and UNIDEE Residency Programs, in collaboration with UniCredit Group, announce the second edition of the open call “Ecosystems as Living Communities”, supporting two production residencies for emerging international artists working with socially engaged artistic practices that address contemporary ecological issues.

The two selected artists, one Italian and one international artist residing in Europe, will take part in a residency dedicated to the creation and production of new artworks, which will become part of the UniCredit Art Collection.

 
In 2025, UniCredit Group renews its collaboration with Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte and UNIDEE Residency Programs, launching the second edition of the project dedicated to supporting artistic research and production in response to contemporary ecological challenges. Building on the success of the first edition, the initiative continues to promote interdisciplinary collaboration across scientific, technological, and humanistic fields, contributing actively to society’s sustainable transformation.

In continuity with the mission of Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte, the vision and work of Michelangelo Pistoletto, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the project reaffirms its commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. It encourages emerging artists to take on a pivotal role in the process of social and ecological transformation, engaging with the urgent challenges posed by climate change and the environmental and social crisis.

The second edition, continuing under the theme “Ecosystems as Living Communities”, invites artists to further explore global, contemporary, and future ecological challenges, fostering positive and regenerative visions of desirable futures. Artists are encouraged to propose projects that investigate ecosystems as interconnected communities of humans and non-humans, challenging anthropocentric perspectives and promoting an ecocentric mindset.

During the residencies, conceived as fertile grounds for collaborative and cross-disciplinary research, selected artists will work closely with mentors and experts from diverse fields to develop new artworks and research trajectories.

Artistic projects may engage with one or more of the following areas:

- Technological research, exploring how emerging technologies can deepen understanding and foster meaningful relationships with ecosystems;

- Educational and pedagogical practices, applying innovative and transdisciplinary methods to involve the public in addressing pressing environmental issues;

- Circularity in the fashion industry, focusing on sustainable production processes grounded in recycling, reuse, and upcycling.

The production residencies, known as UNIDEE Connective Residencies, aim to strengthen the dialogue between artistic research and other sectors of society. They foster a multidisciplinary and dynamic approach to building meaningful networks that connect artists with researchers, associations, industries, organisations, and members of civil society.

The residencies will take place between February and May 2026.

Two selected artists will engage in a shared research phase, including meetings with tutors, researchers, and experts, as well as field visits. The residency structure and schedule will be tailored to each project and defined collaboratively with the artists. A collaborative attitude and flexibility in developing and implementing the projects—consistent with the evolving research process—are therefore essential.

The resulting works will be publicly presented and will become part of the UniCredit Art Collection. Moreover, the outcomes of the residencies will be disseminated online, contributing to broader public awareness and promoting responsible engagement with ecological and social transformation.

RESIDENCY TIME FRAME

Februarty - April 2026: Residency and production period at Cittadellarte (schedule adapted to each project and agreed upon with the artists).

Mid-May 2026 (tbc): Public presentation of the artworks.

The program will cover travel, accommodation, and meal expenses for the artists. Each artist will receive a gross fee of €6,500, payable in accordance with international and local regulations. In addition, a production budget of up to €2,500 will be allocated to each artist to support the realisation of their final project.

ELIGIBILITY

- The production residencies are open to emerging artists whose socially engaged practices address contemporary ecological issues, with no restrictions on disciplines, media, or methodologies;
- Two artists will be selected: one Italian artist and one international artist residing in Europe (EU Member States; EFTA/EEA countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland; the United Kingdom; and EU candidate countries);
- All candidates must have fluency in English, as it will be the working language of the residency.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for selection, please fill out the online form: https://form.jotform.com/253204063721345 including:
- Your project proposal (maximum 700 words in English) should also address the following questions:
• How does your proposal relate to the main theme of the residency?
• Which forms of interdisciplinarity do you plan to activate?
• Which of the three areas does your project connect to (Technological Research; Educational and Pedagogical Practices; Circularity in the Fashion Industry)?
• What final form do you envision for the work you intend to produce?

- A portfolio (with a maximum of 5 relevant projects/artworks) and a brief biography and CV (maximum 4 pages)

The open call for the selection of artists for “ECOSYSTEMS AS LIVING COMMUNITIES” vol. II UniCredit Group UNIDEE Connective Residencies 2025-26 is open from November 18 to December 14, 2025.

The deadline for submissions is Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM.

If necessary, shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an online interview at the beginning of January 2026.

The finalists will be selected by January 9, 2026.

JURY

Applications will be evaluated by a jury composed of the Advisory Board of UNIDEE Residency Programs (Andy Abbott, Beatrice Catanzaro, Juan Sandoval, Alessandra Saviotti and Angela Serino).

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The jury will evaluate the applications based on the following criteria:
- Artistic quality in both the artist’s previous work, as presented in the portfolio, and the proposal for the residency themes (technological research, educational and pedagogical practices, circularity in the fashion industry)
- The quality and strength of the proposal’s connection to concepts of innovation, education, social inclusion, or sustainability;
- General criteria, including aesthetics, originality, conceptual credibility, innovative potential, and technical approach, will also be considered.

QUESTIONS?

For any further information, do not hesitate to write to unidee@cittadellarte.it