Sacatar 2026 Open Call

About the Open Call

Sacatar is pleased to announce its 2026 Open Call for Fellowships, offering fully funded artist residencies on the island of Itaparica, Bahia, Brazil. Each residency includes accommodation, meals, studio space, logistical support, and connections to the local cultural scene. Residencies are offered for specific dates, listed in the application. We welcome applications from individual artists of all nationalities and disciplines. At Sacatar, we define creativity broadly and invite proposals from individuals working across all creative fields. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, disability, or HIV status. Important notes: Sacatar does not charge artists to participate in the residency. However, please note that the program does not cover airfare or offer stipends/financial support of any kind. Artists whose applications are selected by the final jury and require financial assistance may request a letter of support from Sacatar to help secure outside funding for travel or additional expenses. Former Sacatar Fellows are not eligible to apply in this Open Call. We will contact former Fellows directly when opportunities to return become available. Please note that we are not accepting group proposals in this Open Call. Thanks to the support of the French Embassy, one French artist may be selected to receive additional support, covering airfare and a stipend. Sacatar is situated on a stunning 9,000m² beachfront property on the island of Itaparica, in the Bay of All Saints. The property is a 15-minute walk from downtown Itaparica and approximately 1.5 hours by car and boat from the city of Salvador. This unique location offers artists a range of opportunities to benefit from their time at Sacatar. Artists can immerse themselves in their studio work, taking advantage of the tranquility and natural beauty of the property; they can also engage with the unique communities, nature, and culture of Itaparica, or; explore the thriving art scenes in Salvador. Many artists find inspiration in a combination of all three! It is important to note that Sacatar is a low-tech environment. Bedrooms and studios have only basic furniture. Although we do have wi-fi, we do not have most electronic equipment. If special equipment is needed, artists should bring it with them or obtain it in Salvador. Sacatar provides Fellowships at no cost to the artist. Sacatar provides each selected artist: A private bedroom with an attached bathroom for the entire duration of the residency; Three daily meals, except on Saturday evenings, Sundays and Brazilian holidays. The kitchen is always available for residents’ use; An individual studio suitable to the artist’s discipline; Weekly laundry service; Logistical support to connect the artist with necessary services, the local community in Itaparica, and the vibrant art scene in Salvador; Transportation from the Salvador airport to the island of Itaparica on the scheduled arrival day and back to the airport on the scheduled departure day. What Sacatar Does Not Offer through its own Open Call: Airfare to and from Salvador; A stipend or any form of financial support; Materials for artistic projects; Transportation and local discretionary expenses during the residency session. Sacatar hosts five residency sessions per year, each lasting approximately eight weeks and welcoming six to eight artists per session. Artists bring their individual projects and are provided with private bedrooms and studios, but the residency experience also emphasizes a strong sense of community. Meals and various activities take place in shared settings, and Fellows are encouraged to approach the residency with openness and generosity toward their Fellow residents. All Fellows arrive on the same day and remain for the full duration of the session. The first week of the residency is the most structured, including tours of Salvador and Itaparica, introductions to the studios, and an orientation to house rules and operations. In the second week, individual meetings are held with Fellows, along with a networking lunch that connects residents with artists and community members from Itaparica and Salvador. The residency concludes with an Open Studios event during the final week. It’s important to note that this is not intended as a formal premiere or exhibition but as an opportunity to share works-in-progress and residency experiences with the local community. Beyond these planned activities (which are concentrated in the first week), artists have the freedom to shape their residency as they see fit. Sacatar relies on residents to be self-directed and proactive in making the most of their time at the residency. Fellows are expected to uphold the following commitments: Commitment to the Opportunity: Residents are required to stay for the full duration of the session, using this time to meaningfully engage with their work, explore new perspectives, and immerse themselves in the unique cultural and artistic environment that Bahia offers. Openness and Generosity Towards Other Fellows: Fellows are expected to participate in communal meals and activities, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and exchange. Artists are encouraged to create opportunities for interaction and to learn from one another, embracing any language or cultural differences as part of the enriching experience. Acknowledgment and Credit: Residents must credit Sacatar in any work presented that was developed during the residency. This includes acknowledging Sacatar in personal channels, media, and press when projects or collaborations initiated at the residency come to fruition. Additionally, Fellows are encouraged to share their experience with other artists, as word-of-mouth remains an invaluable way to introduce Sacatar to new creatives.

What is Offered

Fully funded artist residency including private accommodation with attached bathroom, three daily meals (except Saturday evenings, Sundays, and Brazilian holidays), an individual studio space, weekly laundry service, logistical support, connections to local community and art scenes, and transportation from Salvador airport to Itaparica and back on scheduled arrival/departure days. One French artist may receive additional support covering airfare and a stipend.

Requirements

Open to individual artists of all nationalities and disciplines. Group proposals are not accepted, and former Sacatar Fellows are not eligible for this specific open call. Applicants must hold a certificate of COVID-19 vaccination. Residents are required to stay for the full eight-week duration of the session, engage meaningfully with their work, and participate in communal activities with openness and generosity. No partners, family members, or pets (except seeing-eye dogs) are permitted during the residency. There is no age limit, though emerging artists younger than twenty are unlikely to be accepted.

How to Apply

Applications are now open. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to read the FAQ section on the Sacatar website for program details. For specific questions not covered in the FAQ, contact info@sacatar.org. The application form is available via the provided link: https://sacatar.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/85596.