JaIR – Jewelry Artist in Residence Program

The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum (ILJM), inaugurates the first Jewelry Artist in Residence Program in a museum, worldwide. The Residency applies to artists that wish to engage in cultivating their art and developing in public activities with visitors and other artists.

The Jewelry Artist Residence program (JaIR) invites artists and public to a dialogue of creation and development exclusively on artistic studio jewelry. It provides a time of reflection, research, production, and immersion into a new culture of contemporary studio jewelry. Residents are encouraged to explore their practice within a public space; meeting new people, using new materials, experimenting in a new location and potentially integrating elements into their art. Art residencies emphasize the importance of meaningful and multi-layered cultural exchange and immersion into a unique environment, with live feedback and immediate enhancing of knowledge.

The program takes place within the Museum premises, in the ZEM workshop “Jewelry Metalsmithing Studio” and ZEDET workshop “Jewelry Crafts Studio”.

Residents may work during museum operating hours, use all available tools and machinery on site, and have access to the Museum’s research facilities. JaIR is an integral part of the ILJM’s innovative programs to engage both artists and public for further understanding and learning the art of studio jewelry. The benefit of hands-on programs establishes new educational material for promoting the art of jewelry and enhancing both the museum artifacts and the understanding for contemporary artistic jewelry.

The JaIR program aims to create interactive relationships and bonds with artists and creators of jewelry and decorative arts, not only during their residency in the ILJMuseum’s workshops, but also after its completion.

As a residency program JaIR offers the following to selected residents:

✧ Access to two live workshops within the Museum: ZEM (Jewelry Metalsmithing Studio) and ZEDET (Jewelry Crafts Studio), the first interactive jewelry workshops built within a European museum.

✧ Use of all available tools, machinery, and the Museum’s research library during museum operating hours.

✧ A unique public-facing studio environment, enabling direct cultural exchange with museum visitors.

✧ Opportunity to combine the residency with a curatorial internship or participation in the Hephaistos Summer School (www.jss.gr).

✧ Each artist has the opportunity to create a piece of jewelry, which will be donated as part of the ILJMuseum.

Please note that the program does not cover travel or accommodation expenses and does not provide stipend for participants, unless they are US citizens.

To submit your application for the JaIR - Jewelry Artist in Residence Program, follow these simple steps:

✧ Create Your Artit Portfolio – Upload your artworks, descriptions, a short bio, and any relevant links (social media, website, etc.). This will serve as your application portfolio.

✧ Submit Your Work – Once your profile is complete, your submission will be reviewed and forwarded to the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum team. If we need more information, our team will contact you to ensure your application is complete.

Once you have submitted your work, we will reach out to you directly to ask for additional materials.

✧ The ILJM invites applications from local and international mid-career artists working on studio jewelry or traditional crafts, architects and engineers.

✧ Applicants must have considerable experience in professional practice and be able to demonstrate ongoing development in their field.

✧ Available seats commence every month and run throughout the year. The duration of Residencies varies from two to six months.

✧ Candidates may also examine options for a combined program with an Internship in the Curatorial department or participating at the Hephaistos Summer School (www.jss.gr).

✧The curatorial staff composes the jury. The application process takes up to 30 days.