The BUTONG International Young Artists Drifting Programme 2026 offers a 15- to 30-day residency and is open to emerging artists worldwide at Beidaihe, BUTONG International Art District, Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, China.
The residency offers two optional sessions: June–August 2026 or July–September 2026.
The programme will explore the themes of Life & Nature, Art & Life, and City & Community, with ‘Audience among Audience’ as the annual theme. The theme transforms the unique, situated perspective of the art-tourism site into a core principle for artistic creation. The programme looks forward to seeing how resident artists, local inhabitants, visitors, and travellers meet, converse, and mutually shape one another in Beidaihe’s coastal space.
By the end of the residency there will be a curated thematic exhibition, accompanied by comprehensive promotional support.
Applicants must be aged 23–40, of any nationality. The programme accepts applications from individual artists only. The programme accepts all artistic media and forms, be it painting, installation, performance, video, sound, digital art, theatre, or socially engaged projects. They particularly encourage proposals with public and participatory dimensions, such as public artworks, large-scale public events, or performances.
Support includes reimbursement of visa fees, international round-trip economy class airfare (or equivalent train tickets) and transfer service upon arrival in Beidaihe; a materials subsidy of 2,000–10,000 RMB; three daily meals or meal subsidy of 100 per day RMB (depending on diet requirements); an independent studio and accommodation.
