What's the Deal?
In July 2025, Athens hosted about 7 million tourists. For a city of about 3.5 million, that means a lot of extra everything. The land, the people, the resources, and the sites are squeezed by the tourist desire for - what? Escape, experience, exploration, a break from the norm and the grind. The tourist comes and adds pressure to the city, and brings money/ jobs, and homogenizes culture. People in Athens are fighting back, especially in Exarchia. Signs and chants say “Tourists go home!”
Now, a thorny reflection: if you, as an artist, a writer, a creator, a scholar, if you come to visit Athens one July, and you stay for a solid several weeks, and you really immerse in the local scene, what does that make you? Are you also a tourist? Is it also a problem?
In this themed residency, we invite artists & scholars & writers & philosophers & thinkers & movement people & craft makers to come together in Athens, Greece during July, the height of tourist season, to investigate the consequences of tourism and reimagine the search for belonging.
About the Residency
Argo residencies provide time and space to develop your practice in a social, supportive, and stimulating environment with a focus on process, not products.
They are open to artists, writers, performers, musicians, scholars, and any other creative discipline.
All of our residencies take place in Athens, Greece. Every resident has a dedicated workspace in Argo Studios, in the activist neighborhood of Exarcheia, above the weekly outdoor fruit and vegetable market. Accommodation in both shared and private rooms is provided in the Argo "Mansions": a pair of neoclassical apartments overlooking a bustling city square, full of local tavernas and cafes.
Themed residencies provide a more structured, collaborative experience, with shared readings and lectures. Residents have the option to participate in group excursions and a public Open Studios. We provide personalized recommendations; connections with local Athenian artists, curators, and craftspeople; and a warm, welcoming community.
About the City:
-Work and stay in the heart of Athens, Greece
-A short walk to amazing museums
- Dozens of contemporary art galleries, project spaces and performance venues
-A strong tradition of political engagement and protest
-Vibrant nightlife and queer scene
-Ancient and contemporary art, theatre, politics, mythology, craft, and history
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
Anyone aged 18-118 with a creative project or practice is welcome to apply: artists, writers, thinkers, academics, performers, dancers, directors, etc.
We welcome both emerging and well-established creative practitioners and scholars. In general, for a self-directed residency, applicants should be comfortable pursuing their own creative exploration and research.
The standard price for an Argo residency is €65 per night for a private bedroom, and €50 per night for a shared room. That comes out to approximately €1950 or €1500 per month, depending on your accommodation preference.
This cost includes your accommodation, bills, access to the studios, participation in monthly events, personalized recommendations, guided excursions in the city, connections with local arts practitioners, and access to the woodshop.
It doesn’t include the cost of your travel, or food while in Greece. We recommend you budget €100-€300 per week for food.
Lots of residents apply for funding to cover the cost of their residency. We can provide a letter of support if that’s you.
We are happy to provide letters of invitation and support for your external funding applications.