In Ruins
In Ruins
Promoted by Associazione Archeofuturo since 2018, In-ruins is an international residency programme dedicated to the encounter between contemporary art and archaeology through the temporary settlement of artists, curators and researchers within territories shaped by archaeological heritage.
For its 2026 edition, the residency takes place between Venosa and Melfi, in the Vulture-Melfese area of Basilicata. In-ruins rethinks the present through the lens of the past, transforming archaeological sites and cultural landscapes into spaces for research, dialogue and artistic production. Rooted in a Mediterranean perspective, the programme seeks to enhance both cultural heritage and the traditions, myths and histories of the communities that preserve it, while addressing urgent contemporary questions through site-responsive practices.
The 2026 edition of In-ruins is organised in collaboration with Fondazione Elpis and Musei e Parchi Archeologici di Melfi e Venosa.
Public presentation in Venosa and Melfi at the end of the residency, followed by a presentation of the project at Fondazione Elpis (Milan) in Spring 2027.
Private room with shared bathroom at the Convent of Madonna delle Grazie, Venosa, Italy. Wi-Fi included. Accommodation is provided for the full 35-day residency.
On-site studio spaces provided for all residents. Access to archaeological sites and museum collections for research and production.
In case of selection, you will take part in an immersive experience in the Vulture-Melfese area, between Venosa and Melfi, in the province of Potenza (Basilicata, Southern Italy). This is a territory shaped by archaeological sites, volcanic landscapes, small historic towns and centuries of cultural stratification, but also characterised by relatively slow infrastructures and limited production facilities compared to large urban centres.
Residents are asked to join the programme with an open, curious and adventurous attitude, and we strongly encourage applicants to familiarise themselves with the history and cultural context of Basilicata before applying. In-ruins is not simply a residency hosted in a place, but a project deeply rooted in its territory and in the relationships built with local communities.
Over previous editions, self-initiative, flexibility and a friendly approach towards local residents have consistently generated unexpected opportunities for research, collaboration and artistic production. International participants are welcomed as special guests, and each resident is expected to engage respectfully with local customs, traditions and everyday life.
In-ruins is a collective and temporary experiment grounded in mutual trust, respect and responsibility. The programme is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone and will not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, intimidation or violence, including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, ableism, classism, ageism or any other hateful behaviour.
Should any violation of this Policy of Participation and Respect occur, the team will take appropriate action, which may include informal or formal warnings and, when necessary, exclusion from the residency.
The 2026 edition of In-ruins takes place between Venosa and Melfi, in the Vulture-Melfese area of Basilicata, Southern Italy. Residents will be accommodated at the Convent of Madonna delle Grazie in Venosa and will develop their research across a network of archaeological sites, museums and cultural landscapes. The residency offers the opportunity to work within a territory where archaeology, history and contemporary life intersect across more than 600,000 years of human presence.