Artists who enjoy working closely with nature have an exciting international opportunity to explore in 2026. The Guandu International Nature Art Festival in Taipei, Taiwan, is inviting artists from around the world to create site-specific outdoor artworks inspired by wetlands, local culture, mythology, and environmental awareness.
Unlike traditional gallery exhibitions, this festival takes place in natural landscapes where artists develop installations using environmentally responsible materials while engaging with local communities and volunteers.
Key Dates
•Application Deadline: 15 June 2026
•Results Announcement: 5 July 2026
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted before 15 June 2026 via email to:
festival@gd-park.org.tw
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Field Study
•14 August 2026 – Arrival and hotel check-in
•15 August 2026 – Site exploration and field study
•16 August 2026 – Proposal discussions
Installation Residency
•18 August – 12 September 2026
Festival Opening
•13 September 2026
Exhibition Period
•13 September – 31 December 2026
Who Can Apply?
The open call is designed for artists who:
•Have a strong interest in environmental themes.
•Are comfortable creating work in outdoor settings.
•Can collaborate with volunteers and local communities
•Enjoy participatory and educational art practices
•Are willing to use environmentally friendly materials
•Can communicate in basic English during the residency
Individual artists and artist groups are both welcome to apply.
Financial Support
Selected participants receive significant support during their stay in Taiwan.
Artist Fee
Each selected artist will receive:
•NTD 80,000 Artist Honorarium
Applicable taxes may be deducted according to Taiwan's regulations.
Travel Support
The festival reimburses eligible transportation expenses connected with participation in the residency.
This includes approved travel costs within Taiwan and travel from the artist's residence to the accommodation location, subject to receipts and festival guidelines.
Accommodation
Artists receive private hotel accommodation from:
14 August 2026 to 14 September 2026
Each participant is provided with an individual room and private bathroom.
Materials Assistance
The organizers assist artists in sourcing local natural materials and eco-friendly supplies, including:
•Bamboo
•Wood
•Reed
•Stone
•Leaves
•Hemp rope
•Eco paints
•Recycled materials
Material purchases are coordinated with the curatorial team.
Additional Support
Participants also receive:
•Daily lunch during working days
•Local transportation support
•Airport and residency transportation assistance
•Access to local volunteers and community collaborators
Application Requirements
Applicants must prepare:
Project Proposal
Include:
•Personal motivation
•Environmental issues you care about
•Artwork concept
•Sketches or visual references
•Estimated size and materials
Public Engagement Plan
Artists are expected to design a public activity such as:
•Workshop
•Demonstration
•Performance
•Interactive programme
Professional Documents
Applicants should also submit:
•Curriculum Vitae (CV)
•Portfolio
•Six previous artworks with descriptions
•Exhibition history and achievements
Applications may be submitted in either English or Chinese.
Important Artwork Guidelines
Projects should:
•Use environmentally responsible materials
•Prioritize locally available resources
•Be structurally safe for public display
•Remain stable for at least three months
•Encourage community participation
•Respect the surrounding ecosystem
Artists are also expected to take part in presentations, opening events, and public programmes throughout the residency.
About the Festival
Held in Taipei's renowned Guandu wetland region, the festival has been bringing together artists and environmental storytelling since 2006. Over the years, it has become one of Taiwan's most recognized platforms for nature-based artistic practice.
The event encourages artists to create works that respond directly to the surrounding ecosystem while helping visitors reflect on the relationship between people, culture, and the natural world.
2026 Festival Theme
Mythic Habitat: Whispers of the Spirits in the Wetland
The 2026 edition explores how myths, folklore, traditional knowledge, and ecological awareness intersect within wetland environments.
Artists are encouraged to investigate themes such as:
•Ancient legends and cultural stories
•Human connections with landscapes
•Wetland ecosystems
•Spiritual interpretations of nature
•Environmental challenges and climate change
•New ecological narratives for future generations
The festival particularly welcomes projects that creatively reimagine the bond between humanity and nature through artistic expression.
Exhibition Locations
Selected artists will create artworks at one of two unique locations in Taipei.
Guandu Nature Park
Located where the Tamsui and Keelung Rivers meet, Guandu Nature Park is one of Taiwan's most important wetland conservation areas and a recognized habitat for migratory birds.
Four artists will be selected to create outdoor installations throughout the park's public areas, including trails, ponds, educational zones, and green landscapes.
Guandu Temple
One artist will be selected to create an installation near the historic Guandu Temple, one of Northern Taiwan's most significant spiritual landmarks.
The chosen artwork will be displayed in a highly visible public location connected to the temple grounds.
Residency Schedule
Selected artists will travel to Taiwan and participate in a residency programme that includes site visits, discussions, artwork installation, and public engagement activities.
Why Artists Should Consider This Opportunity
Few international art festivals offer the combination of:
•International exhibition exposure
•Nature-based artistic practice
•Residency experience in Taiwan
•Artist honorarium
•Accommodation support
•Environmental engagement
•Community collaboration
For artists working in environmental art, land art, ecological installation, public art, sustainability, or socially engaged practice, this festival presents a unique opportunity to create meaningful work within one of Taiwan's most important wetland landscapes.
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