LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial (Gijón, ES) and iMAL are teaming up to offer a digital art research residency to a duo made of a Belgian and a Spanish artist. To support this co-creation, iMAL and LABoral host the duo for one month each in their centre.
Our two organisations will share with the selected projects our various resources: infrastructure, equipment, networks and contacts, support, feedback, etc.
To help form these duos and bridge the Spanish and Belgian scenes, we organise a preliminary phase where artists from either country can manifest their interest in being part of a duo. Your profile will then be shared with candidates from the other country, so you can find a potential match for a joint application.
RESIDENCY PERIODS
→ iMAL: May-July 2026
→ LABoral: June 2026 or 10.09 to 10.10.2026
Framework
We are looking for artistic research projects that explore the links between labour and the digital, a relationship as old as computing itself.
From Charles Babbage’s goal to extend to intellectual labour the mechanisation he extensively studied in 19th century factories, to the sales pitches of genAI companies today, the automation of our society – and ultimately our lives – is actively promoted by large technological corporations that consolidate these techno-liberal ideologies of progress. Resulting, in many cases, in worse working conditions, precariat, and a decline in people's quality of life.
We therefore want to support research projects that question these mechanisms of alienation and propose alternative forms of resistance and cultural and artistic production in response to the automation of our society.
Who can apply
This call is aimed at emerging artists, regardless of nationality, gender, religion or ethnic origin. We strongly encourage candidates of all origins and identities to apply.
An "emerging artist" is understood as any artist active for a few years but still in the process of establishing their career, particularly regarding their involvement with various artistic and cultural institutions. Their practice remains precarious and relies on institutional support or partnerships for the production of their works.
Due to the residency funding, Belgian applicants must be based in Wallonia or Brussels.
Candidates for the residency must have a sufficient level of English to be able to commit to this residency.
Selected candidates must be available to travel to both Brussels and Gijón during the residency period. Actual residency dates will be set with the artists.
How to apply
STEP ONE: bridging the scenes
To help you form this transnational duo, please fill in this form with your profile. On 25.11.2025, we will share the profile of Belgian applicants with Spanish artists, and vice-versa.
DEADLINE: 21.11.2025
If you already have a Hispano-Belgian duo, you can directly proceed to the next step!
STEP TWO: duos’ projects proposals
Please fill in the following form.
DEADLINE: 22.12.2025
SELECTION
All project proposals will undergo a pre-selection process in January. Shortlisted applications will be invited to participate in an online call with iMAL and LABoral, before we communicate the final result in early February 2026.
Projects will be selected based on the qualities of the proposal, the relevance to the theme and to the artistic direction of both hosting organisations. The jury will also evaluate the potential of the collaboration of the proposed duo.
Terms
A workspace is provided by iMAL and LABoral. Support will be provided by each hosting organisation, with regular check-ins focusing on the artistic, logistical, technical, and budgetary aspects of the project.
Covered expenses:
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Fees: each selected artist will receive 4000 euros in fees (all taxes included)
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Research expenses: the residency comes with a total budget of maximum 3000 euros (all taxes included), each organisation covering 50% of it. This budget is a maximum budget, intended for expenses directly related to the research project. These are costs to be jointly identified as necessary to achieve the objectives of the residency.
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Travel expenses: travel and accommodation costs for one month will be covered by each host organisation.
For any additional information or queries please contact us at: ipo@imal.org
About LABoral
LABoral Art and Industrial Creation Centre is a pioneering exhibition and production space in Spain at the intersection of Art, Science and Technology. LABoral produces a groundbreaking program of exhibitions, workshops and activities for all audiences. It hosts residency programmes and creation laboratories available to artists, collectives and creative industries.
About iMAL
iMAL is a cultural organisation, located in Molenbeek, Brussels, combining the roles of an Art Center and a Lab. iMAL supports artistic practices that critically engage with digital technologies. We propose a multi-voiced and transdisciplinary approach to contemporary issues through our program consisting of exhibitions, research and production residencies, reflection and training, and public engagement. iMAL also has its own Fablab.
With iMAL's 25th anniversary, we begin a broader reflection on resilience, resistance to the dominant definition of progress, and the responsibility of fostering solidarity.
Credits
This programme of artistic research residencies is co-financed by Wallonie-Bruxelles International and the Spanish bilateral embassy in Belgium.
Visual by Noah Destrée
