The Kriti Ponor Creative Research Residency

Welcome to the Kriti Ponor Creative Research Residency, organized by the Kriti Ponor Center for Creative Research in Risan, Montenegro. 

The residency invites individuals to [independently] pursue self-directed, research-driven projects in a peaceful, inspiring environment. Located in a historic seaside town with fewer than 2,000 residents, it offers an authentic experience of Montenegrin culture. 

Participants gain dedicated time and space to immerse themselves in their practice and can opt for personalized mentorship from founding director Darja Bajagić to support their project goals.

Applicant Call 

We welcome practitioners from diverse cultural and artistic fields — artists, curators, educators, researchers, and writers — from around the world, regardless of career stage, to apply. We particularly encourage those interested in the culture and history of Risan and the broader Balkan region.

Term Dates 

The upcoming term runs from November 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.

Duration Options 

We offer one, two, or three-week options, enabling participants to choose a duration that best aligns with their goals and commitments.

Personalization 

Only one resident is accepted at a time, ensuring a highly personalized and focused experience.

Commitment 

While there are no formal expectations for deliverables, we encourage residents to commit to their practice, connect with the environment, and engage in self-reflection.

Housing 

Residents stay in a private, fully furnished 21 m² studio within a UNESCO-protected medieval stone house in Risan’s historic old town square, just 50 meters from the sea.

Fees 

Fees cover housing and the option for personalized mentorship with Darja Bajagić. Residents are responsible for travel and food expenses.

How to Apply 

To apply, please fill out and submit the residency application form here. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis.

Risan: The Cultural Heritage of Montenegro’s Oldest Town

Risan is a town in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro, with a population of just under 2,000 residents. It traces its origins to the ancient settlement of Rhizon, recognized as the oldest site in the Bay of Kotor. The earliest documented mention of Rhizon dates to the 4th century BC, when it functioned as the main fortress of the Illyrian state, offering refuge to Queen Teuta during the Illyrian Wars. 

Since 2001, archaeologists from the University of Warsaw[’s] Centre for Research on the Antiquity of South-Eastern Europe have been conducting research on the ancient town of Rhizon/Risinium, now known as modern-day Risan. Their research has confirmed the existence of monumental fortifications that once encircled the entire Lower Town, with Tomasz Kowal noting that “one of the most important centers of the Illyrian kingdom was the Greek and Hellenistic Rhizon, Roman Risinium, modern Risan, which lies today within the borders of the [country] of Montenegro.”

Over the centuries, Risan has represented a confluence of diverse cultural influences, including Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian. The town is particularly noted for its intact Roman mosaics, including the only known depiction of the Greek god of sleep, Hypnos, underscoring its historical significance.

Darja Bajagić: Residency Host and Co-Founder

Darja Bajagić is an internationally recognized artist for her research-based practice and thought-provoking engagement with contemporary and historical themes. Born in 1990 in Podgorica, Montenegro, she was raised in Egypt and spent most of her life in the United States. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, Oregon, in 2012, and her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the Yale University School of Art, New Haven, Connecticut, in 2014, becoming the first Montenegrin national to graduate with an MFA from Yale University. In 2024, she co-founded the Kriti Ponor Center for Creative Research in Risan, Montenegro, and currently hosts its Creative Research Residency. 

Described by the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art as “one of the most compelling contemporary artists of her generation,” Bajagić represented Montenegro at the prestigious 60th La Biennale di Venezia in 2024. Her acclaimed exhibition, It Takes an Island to Feel This Good, explored themes of collective memory and shared historical heritage through painting and sculpture, focusing on the complex and multidimensional history of the Montenegrin island of Mamula. 

Throughout her decade-long practice, Bajagić has analyzed the ambivalence of the image, investigating dualistic representation, symbolism, and meaning. Her research-driven work examines our reception, perception, and experience of images and other visual representations, negotiating the lack or presence of their corresponding historical or social context(s)—or both. By experimenting with the construction and circulation of symbolic systems of meaning, Bajagić explores how meaning is generated through visuality and how opinions gain traction in a contemporary, image-based society. 

Selected solo exhibitions Goregeous, curated by Pierre-Alexandre Mateos and Charles Teyssou, Le Confort Moderne, Poitiers, France (2020); Born Losers, curated by Laura Brown, Hessel Museum of Art, Annandale-On-Hudson, New York (2018); and Unlimited Hate, curated by Sandro Droschl, Künstlerhaus, Halle für Kunst & Medien (KM–), Graz, Austria (2016). The catalog for Unlimited Hate, Bajagić’s first institutional solo exhibition, was published by Sternberg Press. 

Selected group exhibitions have taken place at: National Gallery Prague, Czech Republic (2021); Casino Luxembourg – Forum d’art contemporain, Luxembourg (2020); Futura Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic (2019); Es Baluard Museu d’Art Contemporani de Palma, Spain (2018); Contemporary Art Centre (CAC), Vilnius, Lithuania (2018); Luma Westbau, Zürich, Switzerland (2017, 2015, 2014); Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, France (2015); Moderna Museet, Stockholm, Sweden (2015); Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, Poland (2014); Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (MACO), Mexico (2014); Museum of Applied Arts (MAK), Vienna, Austria (2013). Most recent [group] exhibitions include Very Friendly, curated by Agnes Gryczkowska, at House, Berlin, Germany (2023), and Hardcore, curated by Sadie Coles and John O’Doherty, at Sadie Coles HQ, London, United Kingdom (2023). 

Bajagić’s work has been included in the 42nd Montenegrin Salon of Visual Arts, curated by Petar Ćuković, Cetinje, Montenegro (2020); the 57th October Salon, curated by Gunnar B. Kvaran and Danielle Kvaran, Belgrade, Serbia (2018); and the 13th Baltic Triennial of International Art, curated by Vincent Honoré, Vilnius, Lithuania (2018). 

She has been featured in over a dozen international publications, including Artforum International, Artnet, ARTNews, Autre, Cultured Mag, CURA., Dazed, Elephant, Flash Art, Gruppe, i-D (Vice), Interview, Kaleidoscope, L’Officiel Art, Les Inrockuptibles, Mousse, New American Paintings, The New York Times, Número, Richardson, Spike, and Vulture. 

Currently, Bajagić divides her time between Montenegro and the United States.

Neighboring Cities to Explore from Risan

Risan is strategically situated near several notable Montenegrin cities. 

Perast 
Founded in the 14th century, Perast is located within the UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor and is renowned for its well-preserved baroque architecture, as well as its proximity to the picturesque islets of St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks. 
5.6 km away. 

Kotor 
Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is distinguished by its medieval architecture, dramatic mountain backdrop, and rich maritime history as a former trading port of the Venetian Republic. 
17.7 km away. 

Tivat 
Tivat is recognized for its luxurious marina, Porto Montenegro, which features stunning coastal scenery and a vibrant cultural heritage rooted in its maritime history. 
25.5 km away. 

Herceg Novi 
Founded in the 14th century, Herceg Novi features a diverse history reflected in its well-preserved old town, which showcases a blend of Venetian, Austro-Hungarian, and Ottoman architectural styles, as well as numerous fortresses, thermal springs, and a vibrant cultural scene. 
26.4 km away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I view images of the apartment?

Images of the apartment are available upon request — e-mail KritiPonor@gmail.com.

What are the apartment amenities?

Bathroom 

Bedroom, Laundry 

Entertainment 

Heating, Cooling 

Home Safety 

Internet, Office 

Kitchen, Dining 

Parking 

Location Features 

Services 

Is there a studio space available for artists?

No, a dedicated studio is not currently available.

Is there a market within walking distance?

Yes, there is a market just a one-minute walk away. 

On Sundays, the long-held Risan Farmers’ Market, held in the old town square, features local agricultural products from nearby villages, household goods, and handmade clothing.

What is the payment policy?

Participants must complete their payment within two weeks of receiving their acceptance notification.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellations made more than 30 days before the residency start date receive a full refund. Cancellations within 30 days incur a 50% cancellation fee.