International Residency: Morocco

A two-month visual arts residency in Marrakesh, Morocco. 

The residency lasts for two months. The selected artist may choose their preferred 2-month period between September and December 2026. 

Misk Art Institute has partnered with Montresso Art Foundation to offer Saudi artists a two-month residency at Jardin Rouge in Morocco. This program is part of a collaborative platform supporting international residencies and cultural exchange for Saudi art professionals. 

Established in 2009, Montresso Art Foundation is a hybrid space dedicated to nurturing artistic creation and advancing contemporary research across disciplines. Through its Jardin Rouge residency, exhibition spaces, and strategic partnerships, the foundation supports artists through cultural exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue. 

Centered on the theme of “territories,” the Jardin Rouge residency serves as a laboratory for research and production, supporting visual artists across painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. Participants will benefit from dedicated time, expert guidance, and opportunities to engage with a multidisciplinary environment and the local art scene. 

You will gain 

1. Time and space to focus on researching and developing artwork 
2. Experts to advise, provide feedback, and critique your research and project 
3. Connections within the Moroccan and international arts network 
4. New skills, inspiration, and techniques to incorporate within your practice 
5. Exposure to and from important members of the art community (such as artists, press, curators, etc.) 
6. New perspectives inspired by cultural exchange and dialogue 
7. Professional development as an artist 

Who’s it for? 

Full-time mid-career Saudi contemporary artists working in visual arts (painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textile) who meet the following criteria: 

1. Minimum 3 years of fine arts experience 
2. Minimum 3 years of exhibition history 
3. Actively practicing and engaged in the arts 

Applicants must be fully committed to this two-month program with no exception. 

What is Provided 

1. Roundtrip flights to Morocco 
2. Private studio  
3. Accommodation 
4. Round-trip local transportation 
5. Daily meals 
6. Production budget for the approved project 
7. Technical and curatorial guidance 
8. Local and international networking opportunities 
9. Per diem for two months  

What is not Provided 

1. Shipping of artworks 
2. Personal expenses beyond the per diem 

Program Structure 

1. Guidance in the research and development of artistic work  
2. Support in artistic direction  
3. Opportunity to engage with the artisans and experts at Jardin Rouge, Montresso, specializing in painting, metalwork, and woodwork, through knowledge exchange and shared expertise  
4. Opportunities to develop work within a research-driven residency environment  
5. Engagement with local art communities and cultural spaces  
6. Participation in a public-facing initiative, such as conducting a public program during the residency (a workshop or community engagement activity in Marrakesh) 

Note:  

This is an exchange residency between Misk Art Institute and Montresso Art Foundation, where one Saudi artist is selected to join Jardin Rouge Residency in Marrakesh, and one Moroccan artist is selected to join Masaha Residency in Riyadh. Both artists will have the opportunity to showcase their works at the 1-54 Fair in Marrakesh 2027.