Fifty miles south of Sicily lies the the archipelago of Malta, the tenth-smallest sovereign nation in the world with a total population of just over half a million. On the island of Gozo, with a more rural setting than the densely populated main island, Gozo Contemporary artist residency invites artists to take in the Mediterranean surroundings and pursue self-led projects.

Gozo Contemporary is a sibling of Valetta Contemporary, a non-profit exhibition space located in the east end of the capital, managed by the artist-founded META Foundation. The residency has been running since 2001, and invites artistic practitioners to stay for periods between two weeks and three months at a time. Only thirty minutes by ferry from the main island, its rural location offers quiet and charm with access to the city as needed.

The residency is located in the village of Għarb (Arabic for “west”), one of Gozo’s oldest villages, known for makers of incredible goat’s cheese, a folk museum, and a basilica. Gozo Contemporary hosts two residents at a time who are working across disciplines of visual art, photography, video, sculpture, installation, music, literature, performative arts, curatorial, and research. Private accommodation is comfortable yet minimal, and studio space is shared with the other resident, with some essential tools included. The fee format significantly favors two artists in residence at the same time, with two weeks starting at €1000 for one artist, but €1200 for two, so it’s definitely worth considering which creative friend is going to accompany you! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.