Applications period: May 20 – June 10, 2023

Residency period: September or October 2023

About the Residency

The Nature Loves Courage Residency is a ten day retreat designed for one emerging artist working in electronic, electro-acoustic, experimental or neo-/contemporary classical music and sound art to tap into the unparalleled richness of Cretan culture through total immersion in the rhythms and routines of the island. Taking place in Sougia bay, a tiny village close to the most southern point of Europe and surrounded by steep gorges and ancient ruins, the residency initiates a cultural exchange that hopes to create long lasting and fruitful bonds between artists and the local community.

The residency is an ideal retreat for artists who want to work and do research in a focused and calm environment. There is no expectation to present a final work; only the documentation material of the process.

The selected artist-in-residence is provided with accommodation, and a stipend to offset the costs of daily meals. Travel expenses within Greece are covered.

Application Criteria

NLC accepts research proposals for its Open Call from May 20 – June 10, 2023. The deadline for applications is 10 JUNE 2023, 23:59, EEST. Any application past the deadline will not be considered. Applications can be submitted in Greek or English.

Greek or Greece-based emerging sound artists, experimental musicians, and creative individuals are invited to submit a proposal. Applicants should demonstrate a genuine interest in the local community of Crete, its surrounding nature and should be driven by a research-based and explorative approach. The selected artist should be able to engage discursively and speculatively with Sougia’s environment and Crete’s wider artistic and cultural context.

Applicants should keep in mind that this residency takes place in a remote location with limited resources and amenities. Therefore, there is no dedicated recording studio or technical equipment available in Sougia.

Due to the limited size of offered rooms, collectives and groups are excluded from the application process.

We accept digital applications only, through the form you can find below. Applications addressed to us over email will not be considered.

After the Open Call proceedings, we will review all applications and notify applicants by July 10, 2023.

*Nature Loves Courage is open to everyone, regardless of gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, skin colour, etc. However we do share a strong commitment to bring forward the work of emerging, underrepresented artists and generally those who are usually given less priority in our cis-het norm-core society.

Any questions about the residency should be directed to Katerina Gnafaki at katerina@naturelovescouragefest.com

APPLY HERE