Residency

The Sasso Residency program is fluid, transformative, generous, warm, open.

We want to be a meeting place for you and for other universes.

We want to be an island to create utopias or question realities. We want to be an opportunity to build new worlds, to layer, to demolish, to reshape, to be in motion – inside and outside.

We understand your artistic work and interest as the basis for processes that you initiate or drive forward in Casa Sasso. Always in discourse with yourself, your fellow residents and beyond.

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OPEN CALL 2025

MANO LIBERA!

We place the house in your hands!

Three weeks of time and space to create, experiment, and bring together the people who should meet at the Sasso Residency.

We’re looking for encounters with the unfamiliar, engaging with your visions—even those beyond the arts—for how the house can be used: What do you understand by residency? How do you create culture? We’re excited to see!

Send us your vision, idea, or project proposal on a single A4 page. Or send us a video message (maximum 5 minutes) describing how you would curate, transform, or utilize the house. 

BACKGROUND

In recent years, each residency had a set theme and invited individual artists or groups to participate. Throughout the year, the Sasso Residency Association awarded residencies in this structured way. This year, however, we want to make a change, giving artists or groups greater freedom to apply with their own projects for a residency in the house. Therefore, the 2025 call has no theme or specific guidelines. You are free to think about how you would use Sasso over three weeks and how the house could function as a space in alternative ways. We give you free rein and look forward to seeing what you understand by residency, art, Sasso, house, encounter, etc. A blank canvas—we can’t wait to see how you fill it!

FAQ

Why does the residency have a fee?
Sasso is not yet self-sustaining. To operate as a free space, the house currently requires external funding to cover maintenance costs. With the CHF 1250 fee, you contribute to consumables, help cover any potential damages, pay your share of the tourist tax, and even a small part of the utility costs.It is our goal to eventually fully finance the residency program, and we are working toward this.

How much does the application fee cost? And why?
The application fee is CHF 60. We all work on a voluntary basis and have so far been self-supporting (no funding or other financial backers on board). We have introduced this cost so that we can spend a lot of time on the applications and have an external jury member. Thank you very much for your understanding!

How many people can the house accommodate?
The house can host 9-10 people overnight in 5 bedrooms. Anything beyond that would feel very crowded, especially in the kitchen. The residency costs you something because the house costs us a relatively large amount (still). See below under “Why does the residency cost”. If you occupy the house with more than 6 people, all others must be charged as guests (Guests 35CHF/night).

Can I apply with a video?
Yes, absolutely. The video should be no longer than 5 minutes. If you prefer a written application, it should be no longer than a single A4 page.

Are there any criteria?
Sustainability and care for the environment, nature, and people are very important to us. Therefore, we prefer not to have artists flown in.

How open and unconventional can the submitted projects be?
We’re open to unconventional visions, but we also seek in-depth engagement and cultural creation. Examples of possible use include: living in the house yourself while inviting people who want to explore a topic or experiment with you, or letting other people use the house for a residency where you determine the theme.

Can I use the three weeks to go on vacation with my friends?
No, that’s not the intent. This should be about projects or experiments that focus on creating culture and engaging with society, context, or the neighborhood. Casa Sasso should serve as a place of encounter.

Can I open a restaurant in the house for three weeks?
Yes, you can open a restaurant. However, we would like the focus to be on encounters, with a certain cultural standard, and an emphasis on exploring something innovative or boundary-pushing. You may keep any profits, but you are responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and handling logistics.

Can I plan an outdoor music event?
Yes, within the general guidelines, but you must be considerate of the neighbors. The best approach is to personally invite everyone in the area.

Download Application Form

Download Factsheet

Residency 2024

Past Artists & Residencies