prehistoricsoul LAB | prehistoricsoul

prehistoricsoul LAB April-July 2026

residencies program

prehistoricsoul LAB offers a small-scale, self-directed residency for practitioners seeking focused time for independent work. Emerging from the ongoing research platform prehistoricsoul, the LAB supports process-based practices across visual arts, performance, movement, sound, writing, anthropology, archaeology, and interdisciplinary research.

We welcome practitioners across disciplines: visual artists, movement and performance makers, sound and music explorers, writers, researchers, archaeologists, anthropologists and those working across or beyond traditional categories. There are no set themes, residents may work independently or exchange ideas organically.

This is a self-directed residency, giving residents the freedom to shape their own projects and work at their own pace. We are also happy to help facilitate connections with local artists, researchers, or communities if relevant to your practice.

Residents define their own creative process, and daily schedule.The LAB does not function as a conventional educational program, retreat, or hospitality service. It does not provide medical, psychological, emergency, or crisis support. prehistoricsoul LAB is a self-arranged living and working environment. Residents are fully responsible for their own health, safety, insurance, visas, and daily needs.

Residency Space

The residency takes place in a large open-plan house, located in Denpasar, Bali’s capital, in a quiet neighbourhood and overlooking the Ayung river, it offers both calm and access to the broader cultural energy of the island. It's around 20 minutes ride to the Sanur beach, 30 minutes ride to Ubud and 45 minutes ride to Canggu.

The house features an upstairs open-plan studio, providing a spacious area for individual or collaborative work which can also host indoor events/workshops/performances. The downstairs area includes a shared open kitchen, a living space with books and informal seating, and direct access to the garden. The garden also includes a projection area that can accommodate screenings, performances, or other outdoor events.

The studio is equipped with basic tools including tables, lamps, a shared toolkit (scissors, knives, rulers, pliers), extension cords, a Bluetooth speakers, projector, push pins, clips, paper, paint, sketching materials, painting stands, paints. If your practice requires something specific, feel free to mention it in your application and we will do our best to help source it locally or find a simple solution together. The space has previously hosted dance, theatre, and music events.

Residents are expected to care for the space and one another, following basic house guidelines. Environmental conditions typical to Bali include humidity, insects, stairs, uneven surfaces, and proximity to water. Applicants must be comfortable living and working within this context.

Accommodation and Practicalities

The residency runs in one-month sessions throughout the April-July 2026. Applicants may apply for one or two consecutive months, depending on availability.

Detailed fee information is available in the Residency Information PDF.

Accommodation options include:

Studio Rooms – Two semi-private rooms located within the main studio space. Each room includes a bed, small wardrobe, bedside table, lamp, and a small working desk with chair. The rooms are separated by walls and curtains for privacy.
Private Yellow Room – A private bedroom within the main house. The room includes a bed with lamp, working table, chair, storage rack, AC and seating area. Residents have access to shared bathroom facilities, kitchen, and common areas. Air conditioning is available.
Private House Pavilion – A self-standing small house located within the garden, the Pavilion includes a private bathroom with hot water, a bed and wardrobe, a working table, AC and a small outdoor kitchen equipped with a stove, sink, and basic utensils. It also features a terrace workspace overlooking the river. The Pavilion offers a more independent living and working environment while maintaining access to the shared studio and garden areas. Couples or residents with dependants are welcome to stay in the Pavilion.

Visas

Residents join as visitors on personal time. The residency does not organize public activities, employment, volunteering, research, or programs. All residents are responsible for ensuring that their visa type matches their personal travel plans and that they comply with Indonesian immigration regulations.

Regarding visas, please note we are unable to provide sponsorship. Most visitors can obtain a 30-day visa upon arrival in Indonesia, which can be extended once for a maximum 60-day stay. We recommend checking official immigration resources for your specific nationality requirements.

Residents should budget for personal expenses, which typically range from €300–€500 per month for food, transportation, and supplies, depending on lifestyle.

Accessibility

The residency space currently has significant accessibility limitations: stairs at all entrances and no wheelchair-adapted bathrooms. We acknowledge that this excludes many individuals, and we are actively working on solutions for future iterations.

If you have specific access needs, mobility, sensory, or health-related, please contact us before applying. We will be happy to explore potential workarounds, though some barriers may unfortunately be unavoidable.

Application

We encourage applicants of all nationalities, cultural backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and disciplines. The LAB is a shared space, we ask residents to actively contribute to an environment of mutual respect and openness.

To apply please submit your application via this https://forms.gle/ffS6FadzZtxYRJSSA

We will ask for a short statement about yourself, few examples of your work (upload or link to your portfolio or written statement about your practice), preferred session dates and accommodation choice and any specific needs or tools your practice requires.

Residencies may begin from mid-April onward, depending on availability and travel schedules. The next application review deadline is 15th of March, 2026. Applicants will be notified within seven days of the review date.

The LAB hosts a maximum of four residents per month. Early applications are encouraged due to limited capacity.

For further details or questions, please contact us at residency@prehistoricsoul.net