Artist Residencies in Kraków

Literary Residencies

Kraków, Poland

The International Residency for Writers in Kraków, a cornerstone initiative of the Kraków UNESCO City of Literature, is designed to enrich the global literary community by fostering cross-cultural exchanges among writers. Established in a city with a storied history of literary greatness, this residency offers a two-month program specifically tailored for emerging writers and poets from around the world. The program is housed in the former apartment of Czesław Miłosz, a Polish poet and Nobel Prize laureate, providing a space steeped in literary heritage. Participants are selected through a competitive process and are provided with a stipend, travel expenses, and comprehensive access to the vibrant cultural life of Kraków. This includes opportunities to engage with local authors, participate in literary events, and present their work to new audiences. The residency aims to not only provide writers the time and space to focus on their creative projects but also to immerse them in Kraków’s rich literary traditions and contemporary cultural dynamics. By connecting international writers with the Polish literary community and promoting the exchange of ideas and literary works, the residency enhances Kraków's position as a global hub for literary dialogue. It supports the city's mission as a UNESCO City of Literature to uphold the freedom of expression, foster literary talent, and celebrate the universal power of literature. Through this program, Kraków continues to build its legacy as a city that both honors its literary heritage and pushes the boundaries of contemporary literature.

Villa Decius

Kraków, Poland

The Villa Decius Institute for Culture in Kraków, Poland, operates the Artists' Residencies Centre, hosting multiple residency programs for writers, translators, visual artists, scriptwriters, playwrights, and persecuted creators from around the world. Each program provides housing in comfortable rooms at the historic Łaski's House within the Renaissance palace-park complex, along with monthly scholarships, travel reimbursements, and opportunities for professional development and cultural engagement. Specific initiatives include the Krakow UNESCO Residency, ICORN for at-risk artists, Artistic Scholarship for visual artists focused on Polish heritage, and others like Arts in Exile for literature, visual arts, and music.