<\/p>\n
International Residency Program \u2014 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thank you for your interest in A4 Residency Art Center.<\/p>\n A4 Residency Art Center is an interdisciplinary residency platform welcoming artists and creative practitioners from diverse fields and cultural backgrounds to Chengdu for artistic research, creative practice, and cultural exchange.<\/p>\n Before contacting our residency team, please read the following frequently asked questions about applications, funding, accommodation, creative support, and the selection process.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 01. Application & Eligibility<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q1. How can I find out which residency sessions are open and when applications close?<\/strong><\/p>\n A4 opens applications for spring and autumn residencies according to its annual program schedule.<\/p>\n For the currently open sessions, application deadlines, and residency dates, please refer to the latest open call published on our official website. The standard residency period is eight weeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q2. Who can apply? Are there restrictions on nationality, age, or place of residence?<\/strong><\/p>\n The A4 International Residency Program welcomes artists and creative practitioners from different countries and regions, including Chinese citizens residing overseas.<\/p>\n There are no general nationality restrictions or upper age limits.<\/p>\n Applicants must have sufficient artistic experience, the ability to work independently, and the professional capacity to conduct research, develop work, and carry out their proposed projects during the residency.<\/p>\n Applicants must also be able to participate in scheduled activities and public engagement during their residency.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q3. Which artistic disciplines are eligible?<\/strong><\/p>\n A4 welcomes a wide range of artistic and interdisciplinary practices, including but not limited to:<\/p>\n – Visual arts, painting, sculpture, and installation<\/p>\n – Photography, film, moving image, and expanded cinema<\/p>\n – Music, sound art, and performance<\/p>\n – Literature, creative writing, and research-based artistic practices<\/p>\n – Design, architecture, and spatial practices<\/p>\n – Digital art, interactive media, and emerging technologies<\/p>\n – Craft, socially engaged art, and community co-creation projects<\/p>\n A proposed project does not need to involve a conventional visual artwork or formal exhibition. However, applicants should clearly explain their artistic practice, the feasibility of their proposal, and how it may connect with the residency context.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q4. Do I need prior exhibition, publication, or residency experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n Previous exhibition or residency experience is not mandatory. However, applicants should use their portfolios and supporting materials to demonstrate an established foundation in artistic practice and the ability to work independently. Emerging artists are welcome to apply, provided they have the professional capacity to develop and complete their proposed residency projects independently.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q5. What materials are required for an application?<\/strong><\/p>\n Please prepare the following documents:<\/p>\n 1. Completed official Application Form<\/p>\n 2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)<\/p>\n 3. Portfolio or relevant documentation of creative work<\/p>\n 4. Residency Project Proposal<\/p>\n 5. Personal Photograph<\/p>\n Musicians, filmmakers, performance artists, writers, and other practitioners may include relevant audio, video, written works, or project documentation in their portfolios.<\/p>\n Please submit all application materials by email to: a4residency@a4am.cn<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q6. Must application materials be submitted in both Chinese and English?<\/strong><\/p>\n No. International applicants may submit their application materials in English only. Chinese translations are encouraged where possible but are not mandatory. Applications in Chinese are also accepted.<\/p>\n If the downloadable application form still refers to a previous application cycle, applicants may use the available official form and clearly state their intended residency year and spring or autumn session in their materials.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q7. Can I submit my portfolio first for A4 to assess whether my project is suitable?<\/strong><\/p>\n A4 does not offer individual pre-screening or advance evaluation of applications. We encourage applicants to submit a complete application in accordance with the official requirements for review by the selection committee. Applications are evaluated on artistic practice, project quality, feasibility, and relevance to the residency program.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q8. How should I submit large portfolios or video files?<\/strong><\/p>\n You may submit files as email attachments or provide downloadable file links.<\/p>\n Please ensure that:<\/p>\n – All links remain valid throughout the review period;<\/p>\n – Files can be accessed and downloaded without special permissions or additional registration;<\/p>\n – Portfolio materials are clearly organized and identified;<\/p>\n – Large video and audio files are shared using stable, accessible links.<\/p>\n If files cannot be opened or downloaded, the selection committee may be unable to review them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 02. Residency Programs & Funding<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q9. What is the difference between the Fully Funded Fellowship and the Light Version Residency?<\/strong><\/p>\n A4 currently offers two types of residency:<\/p>\n (1) International Residency Fellowship \/ Fully Funded<\/p>\n For artists selected through the review process, this program provides accommodation, workspace, round-trip travel support within an established budget, and eligible project production funding. The standard residency period is eight weeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n (2) Light Version Residency \/ Self-Funded<\/p>\n This option offers more flexible residency arrangements for artists who can secure their own funding.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Residency duration, workspace arrangements, and available coordination support are discussed according to the project and available resources.<\/p>\n Both residency options follow the same application process. Applicants may indicate their preferred residency type or funding requirements in the application. Please note that fully funded places are limited and selection is highly competitive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q10. What does the Fully Funded Fellowship cover?<\/strong><\/p>\n Standard support includes:<\/p>\n – Round-trip economy-class airfare or second-class train tickets within an established budget;<\/p>\n – Accommodation during the residency;<\/p>\n – Workspace and access to basic shared working facilities;<\/p>\n – Up to RMB 10,000 per project for eligible research, materials, and production expenses;<\/p>\n – General project coordination and institutional support;<\/p>\n – Support for public activities and local cultural exchange agreed upon by both parties.<\/p>\n Fully funded support does not mean that A4 covers all personal living costs or every project-related expense, nor does it provide unlimited production funding.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q11. Is there a living allowance, meal allowance, or artist fee?<\/strong><\/p>\n No. The Fully Funded Fellowship does not include a daily or monthly living stipend, meal allowance, or additional personal artist fee. Artists are responsible for meals, everyday living expenses, personal local transportation, visa costs, and personal travel or health insurance. Shared kitchen facilities are available in A4 accommodation, and residents may purchase groceries and prepare their own meals.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q12. Is the RMB 10,000 production budget paid in advance?<\/strong><\/p>\n No. Production funding is administered through the review of project expenses and reimbursement against valid invoices. It is not paid as a lump sum before the residency begins. Artists may submit reimbursement requests as approved expenses arise, and financial procedures are generally handled during the residency.<\/p>\n In principle, artists should complete all reimbursement procedures before the end of their residency. Some project expenses may therefore need to be paid upfront by the artist. RMB 10,000 is the maximum eligible production budget per project, not a guaranteed cash payment or personal living allowance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q13. Which expenses may be covered by the production budget?<\/strong><\/p>\n Depending on the project, eligible expenses may include:<\/p>\n – Art materials and artwork production costs;<\/p>\n – Local fabrication and production services;<\/p>\n – Equipment rental costs discussed and approved in advance;<\/p>\n – Materials required for public workshops;<\/p>\n – Professional technical assistance or interpretation needed for the project.<\/p>\n All expenses must be discussed with and approved by A4 in advance and must comply with the Center\u2019s financial procedures.<\/p>\n Personal living expenses, meals, daily commuting, and the purchase of personal equipment should not be assumed to qualify as project production expenses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q14. Does A4 cover round-trip international travel? Is there a fixed travel allowance?<\/strong><\/p>\n The Fully Funded Fellowship provides round-trip economy-class airfare or second-class train tickets within an established budget. Travel budgets depend on the artist\u2019s country or region of departure and actual travel circumstances; there is no single fixed allowance for all locations. A4 normally purchases flight tickets directly. Specific budgets and travel arrangements are confirmed after formal selection.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q15. Is there an application fee or participation fee?<\/strong><\/p>\n A4 does not charge an application fee. Artists formally selected for the Fully Funded Fellowship are also not required to pay a compulsory participation fee.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 03. Accommodation, Artist Duos & Accompanying Family Members<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q16. Can two artists apply together as a duo?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes. A4 accepts joint applications from artist duos. Two artists may submit one shared project proposal, together with separate CVs, portfolios, and personal photographs for each artist.<\/p>\n If selected for the Fully Funded Fellowship:<\/p>\n – Both artists receive round-trip travel support within the applicable budget limits;<\/p>\n – Accommodation is provided for both artists during their residency periods;<\/p>\n – The artists share one studio;<\/p>\n – The maximum production budget is RMB 10,000 for the joint project as a whole.<\/p>\n If the two artists need different arrival or departure dates because of their respective roles or project schedules, arrangements may be discussed after selection.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q17. What type of accommodation does A4 provide?<\/strong><\/p>\n Following the move to our new facilities, most accommodation consists of individual apartments. A smaller number of units are shared suites with a common living room and separate private bedrooms. Accommodation is allocated according to actual room availability and confirmed residency dates; a particular room type cannot be guaranteed in advance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q18. May I bring a partner, children, or other family members?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes. Artists may be accompanied by family members, including minor children. However, A4\u2019s standard accommodation support covers the selected artist only and does not cover accommodation expenses for accompanying family members.<\/p>\n As our accommodation mainly consists of individual apartments or shared suites, it may not be suitable for families. Artists who wish to live with their families may arrange suitable accommodation nearby at their own expense.<\/p>\n A4 may provide general local accommodation information and assistance in exploring options, but does not cover additional accommodation, family travel, childcare, or other dependent-related expenses. Artists who arrange their own family accommodation may still use their assigned workspace and participate in the residency program.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q19. Can A4 provide an official visa invitation letter?<\/strong><\/p>\n A4 can issue an official invitation letter to artists who have been formally selected and confirmed for the residency, to support their Chinese visa applications. Invitation letters are not issued during the application stage.<\/p>\n Artists are responsible for applying for their visas and covering visa fees, insurance, and other related personal arrangements.<\/p>\n For accompanying family members, supporting documents may be discussed after the artist has been selected, according to individual circumstances. A4 cannot guarantee separate invitation letters for every accompanying family member.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 04. Studios, Equipment & Local Resources<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q20. What studio facilities and tools does A4 provide?<\/strong><\/p>\n A4 provides basic working facilities and general tools, including access to a woodworking workshop equipped with some hand tools and power tools.<\/p>\n However, A4 does not provide specialized equipment or art materials tailored to each project. Artists should bring their own regularly used professional tools, computers, cameras, electronic devices, and other essential production equipment.<\/p>\n Where specialized equipment is needed, artists may consider local rentals or engaging professional fabrication services. Subject to prior discussion and approval, eligible costs may be included in the project production budget.<\/p>\n Cameras and electronic equipment owned by A4 are reserved for institutional use and are not available for personal loan to residents.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q21. Can A4 help artists source materials or fabrication services in Chengdu?<\/strong><\/p>\n For formally selected artists, the A4 team may help identify local material suppliers, fabrication services, craftspeople, and other relevant professional resources according to project needs.<\/p>\n Many common art materials can be purchased through local markets or Chinese e-commerce platforms, with convenient delivery services. However, the availability of specific materials, specialist fabrication equipment, and external services must be confirmed case by case and cannot be guaranteed during the application stage.<\/p>\n Artists remain responsible for the feasibility of their project plans, production requirements, and budget management.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q22. Does A4 provide translation and interpretation support?<\/strong><\/p>\n Chinese and English are A4\u2019s regular working languages.<\/p>\n Our team can provide basic Chinese\u2013English communication and project coordination during the residency, and can coordinate necessary language assistance for public activities organized by A4. However, we do not provide a dedicated full-time interpreter or personal bilingual assistant for each artist.<\/p>\n If an artist requires extended or specialized interpretation or translation for independent research, interviews, or other professional activities, they should make their own arrangements. Related project expenses may be discussed with A4 in advance and, where appropriate, included in the production budget.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q23. Can A4 help connect artists with local artists, curators, museums, or community organizations?<\/strong><\/p>\n Connecting artists with Chengdu\u2019s local cultural resources is an important part of A4\u2019s residency practice.<\/p>\n Depending on the artist\u2019s research interests and project needs, A4 may facilitate introductions to local artists, curators, creative practitioners, communities, and cultural institutions, and explore opportunities for professional exchange, studio visits, or institutional collaboration. Meetings and collaborations depend on the availability and interest of the individuals or organizations involved. A4 cannot guarantee specific institutional partnerships or external collaborators before selection.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 05. Public Programs & Final Presentations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q24. Are public activities required during the residency?<\/strong><\/p>\n In principle, artists are expected to participate in at least one Artist Talk and one Open Studio or another form of public presentation during their residency.<\/p>\n The format may be adapted to different artistic disciplines, such as literary readings, musical performances, research discussions, performances, or workshops. A4 provides basic organizational and coordination support for public activities agreed upon by both parties.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q25. Does every resident artist receive a final exhibition?<\/strong><\/p>\n Not necessarily. The most common format for presenting residency outcomes at A4 is the Open Studio, where artists share their research, creative process, and work in progress with the public.<\/p>\n Depending on the project and A4\u2019s overall programming schedule, some artists may have opportunities to participate in exhibitions, art festivals, or other collaborative projects. However, a formal exhibition, a particular presentation space, or fixed exhibition dates are not standard provisions for every resident.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 06. Selection & Application Communication<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q26. Will I receive an acknowledgement after submitting my application?<\/strong><\/p>\n Due to the large number of applications, A4 is currently unable to send individual acknowledgements or regular application-status updates for every submission.<\/p>\n Before submitting, please ensure that your application is complete and that all files and links can be accessed and downloaded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q27. When and where will selection results be announced?<\/strong><\/p>\n Selection results will be announced through A4\u2019s official website and official social media channels.<\/p>\n Review schedules and announcement dates may vary between residency cycles. Please refer to the official open call for the relevant year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q28. Can I request a longer residency or specific dates?<\/strong><\/p>\n The standard Fully Funded Fellowship residency period is eight weeks. Applicants may indicate their preferred residency dates in their application. Final dates are determined according to the overall program schedule and available resources.<\/p>\n Extensions or special scheduling arrangements can only be discussed after formal selection and cannot be guaranteed during the application stage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q29. Where can I find the latest information and submit an application?<\/strong><\/p>\n Official recruitment page:<\/p>\n https:\/\/en.a4residency.com\/residing\/latest-recruitment\/<\/p>\n Official application email:<\/p>\n a4residency@a4am.cn<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Please review the latest recruitment guidelines published on our official website before contacting the team. Application arrangements and program details may be updated between residency cycles.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We look forward to welcoming artists from diverse cultural backgrounds to Chengdu and exploring new connections between art and local life.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A4 Residency Art Center<\/p>\n Chengdu, China<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" International Residency Program \u2014 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Thank you for your interest in A4 Residency Art Center. A4 Residency Art Center is an interdisciplinary residency platform welcoming artists and creative practitioners from diverse fields and cultural backgrounds to Chengdu for artistic research, creative practice, and cultural exchange. 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