2027 Róng Design Library Residency Program x Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia Shanghai

This Residency Program is co-initiated by Róng Design Library and Pro Helvetia Shanghai, Swiss Arts Council. Based on the searching and deconstruction of Chinese traditional crafts techniques and materials, Róng Design Library invites Swiss designers of different fields to avail the residency in a village near Hangzhou, China. The residency lasting one month will take place between March 2027 and December 2027 depending on both the candidates’ and the host’s availability.

The cooperation with Pro Helvetia Shanghai is a special project that falls under the umbrella of the library’s residency program. The objective is to create a critical learning environment to stimulate the discovery and rethinking between traditional crafts and contemporary design. It offers residents opportunities to exchange, experience, devote time to their design practice within a dynamic and vibrant environment by cooperating with local artisans. In ten years, the program has hosted around 60 designers from more than 10 countries. Previous Swiss participants in 2026 included Selma Alihodzic, Toscane Jourde, Anita Michaluszko, Alena Halmes.

Starting from this open call, Pro Helvetia Shanghai plans to support 2-4 Swiss designers to become Róng Design Library’s resident for the year 2027. The candidate will be able to research and study Chinese traditional handicrafts and materials (bamboo, silk, mud, copper, paper, etc.), and combine the learnt techniques with contemporary design.

The selected designers will benefit from the following services

International flight tickets

One-month accommodation

Budget for traditional craftsmanship workshop visiting (flight/road transportation & accommodation)

Materials and sample making support (up to CNY 8,000)

One local assistant

Professional adviser support from anyone of the co-founders of Róng Design Library during their stay, including design and production support and business development consultant in China

Possibility to use the showcase space in Róng Design Library and other possible venues, and possible opportunity to exhibit at fairs

Match-making events with related local business owners

Other networking opportunities in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, and other cities

Requirements

Designers may submit their application up to 7 years after obtaining their degree or grounding their company.

To take part in the 2027 Swiss design residency, please send your application to shanghai@prohelvetia.org before Tuesday, September 1st, 2026.

The application file must include (in pdf version)

Studio contact information (Feel free to include additional links to your website, social media pages, etc. )

CV and short paragraph of biography (apx. 150 words)

Portfolio (max. 10 images of previous works)

Motivation letter (apx. 300 words) explaining what you would plan to do/make during your residency period.

Proposed dates of your residency (suggest up to 3 choices)

Timeline

Application deadline: Tuesday, September 1st, 2026

Announcement of candidate: Friday, October 30th, 2026

Residency period: One month, between March 2027 and December 2027

We are looking forward to receiving your applications. Please email us at jfan@prohelvetia.ch for any questions.

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