Live and work in Oaxaca with room and board support and a community-based project

The artist residency at Mexico’s Casa Wabi, 2026 open call, invites artists from around the world to apply for a fully supported residency in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. Organized by Fundación Casa Wabi in collaboration with ArtReview, this residency prize supports three artists to develop work in direct dialogue with local communities. The program focuses on exchange, context, and sustained engagement over a five to six-week period in 2027.

This residency is structured around community interaction. Artists are expected to propose and carry out a project that engages with local participants. The emphasis is on reciprocal exchange rather than production output. The program provides housing, meals, and working space, along with project support. Artists must arrive prepared to adapt their ideas in collaboration with Casa Wabi’s team and the community context.

Get a curated list of opportunities each week before deadlines hit. Join the Contemporary Performance newsletter and stay connected to the field. Join The Newsletter->

Opportunity Snapshot

What: Residency prize for three artists to develop a community-based project
Who: Artists of any discipline, any nationality, any career stage; collectives up to two members
Where: Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico
Award / Support:

• Local flight from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido
• Private bungalow with bathroom
• Studio space
• Three meals per day
• Project support (subject to approval)
  Application Fee: Not listed
  Residency Duration: 5–6 weeks in 2027
  Application Opens: May 11, 2026
  Deadline: June 14, 2026
  Official Link: https://airtable.com/app4c71qDGKMH853e/pagsSwcKgp7e1QS7l/form1
  Strategy Coach Note: https://www.patreon.com/posts/strategy-coach-157995223

Want the Strategy Behind This Application

This call is structured around community exchange, site responsiveness, and the ability to translate an existing practice into a reciprocal project. Most applications fail at the level of structure, where proposals remain conceptual and do not define how interaction unfolds. Strategy Coach Notes break down how to construct the project as a working system, how reviewers assess alignment with Casa Wabi’s conditions, and how to structure a proposal that can be executed within the residency.

About the Opportunity

Fundación Casa Wabi has built an internationally recognized residency program that integrates architecture, landscape, and socially engaged artistic practice. Located on a 65-acre site in Oaxaca, the foundation hosts artists working across disciplines. The residency emphasizes connection between artists and local communities rather than isolated studio production.

The structure of the residency requires each participant to develop a community project. These projects operate through exchange and collaboration. Artists enter into an existing social context and are expected to respond to it. Proposals are reviewed based on artistic quality, alignment with Casa Wabi’s ethos, and the strength of the proposed engagement. Selected artists work alongside other residents and coordinate their timeline with the institution.

What Is Offered

• Residency placement for three selected artists
• Local flight within Mexico from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido
• Private bungalow with bathroom
• Studio workspace
• Three meals per day
• Support for a community-based project
• Integration into an international residency cohort
• Access to Casa Wabi’s site and facilities
• Inclusion in the Casa Wabi archive through a final “Log” or “Bitácora”

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is open to artists working in any discipline. The structure favors artists who already work with social contexts, collaboration, or participatory formats. Applicants must be prepared to adapt their work to a specific place and community. The proposal must demonstrate a clear approach to exchange and engagement.

Collaborative applications are accepted. Groups must be limited to two members and show a documented history of working together. Individual artists should demonstrate a consistent practice and the ability to translate their work into a community-based format.

Timeline

Applications open May 11 and close June 14, 2026. Selected artists will be notified on July 27, with a public announcement on July 31. Residencies take place in 2027. Exact dates are determined in coordination with Casa Wabi. Participants are expected to commit fully to the agreed residency period.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This residency operates with a clear framework. It prioritizes exchange, context, and sustained presence. Artists are asked to shift from individual production toward collaborative processes. The structure supports artists who want to test how their work functions in a specific social environment.

The program removes daily living costs and provides a defined structure for engagement. It creates conditions for artists to work within a community while maintaining access to studio space. The required final “Log” ensures that each residency contributes to a growing archive of artistic responses to the site.

Apply

Official application link:
https://airtable.com/app4c71qDGKMH853e/pagsSwcKgp7e1QS7l/form1

Explore More Opportunities

Visit ContemporaryPerformance.com for more artist opportunities, open calls, and residencies.