prehistoricsoul LAB supported visiting artist program
Prehistoric LAB offers two Supported Visiting Artist Programmes:
These programme is intended for artists, researchers, and creatives whose work connects with prehistory, Austronesian worlds, embodied knowledge, ecology, or experimental research practices.
Programme are self-directed: you shape your own time, projects, and process. We do, however, ask that supported visiting artists contribute a trace of their work, such as a text, reflection, sound or video piece, archive fragment, or informal talk/presentation. This contribution becomes part of the LAB’s ongoing dialogue.
In addition, visiting artists may request access to support the realization of a project during their stay (for materials, equipment, collaborations, etc.). Support is limited and awarded on a case-by-case basis.
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.
What We Offer
Access to the studio, garden, kitchen, and all shared facilities.
A spacious and quiet environment for focused work, reflection, or exploration.
Support in connecting with Balinese culture, local researchers, and artistic communities if desired.
Space
The space is 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. 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.
Visiting Artists are expected to care for the space and one another, following basic house guidelines.
prehistoric LAB is a self-arranged living and working environment. It does not provide medical, psychological, emergency, or crisis support. Visiting Artists are fully responsible for their own health, safety, insurance, visas, and daily needs. The site includes environmental factors typical to Bali, including humidity, insects, uneven surfaces, stairs, and proximity to a river. By applying, Visiting Artists confirm that they are able to live and work independently in this context.
Visiting Artists join as visitors on personal time. This Visiting Artists programme does not include organizing employment, volunteering, research, or programs. All Visiting Artists are responsible for ensuring that their visa type matches their personal travel plans and that they comply with Indonesian immigration regulations.
Visiting Artists are responsible for their own travel costs and should also plan for personal expenses, for food, transportation, and supplies, depending on lifestyle.
Accessibility
The 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.
We encourage artist of all nationalities, cultural backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and disciplines. The LAB is a shared space, we ask Visiting Artists to actively contribute to an environment of mutual respect and openness.
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 any specific needs or tools your practice requires.
Please note travel costs are not supported financially and cannot be claimed from the production budget. The production budget is reserved exclusively for expenses directly related to the project you wish to develop during your residency.
For further details or questions, please contact us at team@prehistoricsoul.net
