THE FINAL PALACE : RESIDENCY 2026
TO BE OR NOT TO BE?
AUGUST 15th – AUGUST 25TH
Deadline to vote June 15th
Dear alumni,
2026 marks 10 years since The Palace Collective began running residencies for emerging artists in dilapidated palaces in southern Poland. Our residencies are a labor of love, by and for emerging artists in the name of providing the tools, network and confidence to embark on life as a creative. 10 years on, we are no longer those emerging artists and we have new and different challenges around how to build sustainable lives in this world. With this shift, The Palace Residency - a volunteer project that relies on the free labor of many - no longer feels aligned or sustainable. Arriving at the 10th year anniversary, it feels fitting that we should close this decade of creation and community to make way for a new one.
As an offering to all those who have made it happen over the years, we are proposing a final palace in a format aimed at giving past residents the opportunity to enjoy being together in creativity and community. This final format would have to rely equally on everyone's energetic and financial contributions to happen, so we’re sending out this vote to find out whether people genuinely have interest and capacity. Costs would run between €310-€540/person depending on accommodation type.
In order to help keep production to a bare minimum, we are also only inviting participants who have attended The Palace Residency at least twice, or have served on the residency production team or the 90mil production team.
PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE VOTING
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DATES
Saturday 15th August - Tuesday 25th August
Build 15th, 16th, 17th August (Saturday - Monday)
Residency 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd August (Tuesday - Saturday)
Break 23rd, 24th, 25th August (Sunday - Tuesday)
FORMAT
A big holiday with friends - we book the accommodation and what happens when we get there is up to everyone
Only for those who have been to the residency at least twice or been on the production team.
Stripped back, bare bones, co-created event where everyone is equally responsible
There is no curated programme - just a framework / timetable that people fill with whatever they want.
Everyone gets to enjoy and create, including those who are usually producing rather than participating.
3 day build, 5 day residency, 3 day break - People are encouraged to join for build and break, as a full experience of 11 days.
It will be held at the original Piotrowice Nyskie Palace
WHY
To have a full-circle experience and bring closure to The Palace Residency
To come together in this crazy world and appreciate each other and what we have before humanity's complete demise
By inviting only past residents and crew this halves the work load in terms of application process, onboarding, integration and culture, removing external pressure to provide an experience.
To create a no-pressure environment to be in community and create with one another.
An opportunity to achieve a truly co-creational event and strengthen our collective resilience.
TASKS & ROLES
Everyone would need to do a minimum of 20 hours across pre-production, build and during the event (including cooking shifts) to make this happen.
We need a minimum of 40 people willing to be there for the build.
Code word Monkey
We will need people to take on some pre-production roles but they will be kept to the bare minimum (e.g payments, food and drink logistics, community care and first aid planning)
ACCOMMODATION
Beds: There are 52 beds including private doubles and dorms of up to 5 people. Multiple of the apartments have kitchens and bathrooms.
Indoor camping: there is a large barn with multiple floors where we did “indoor camping”. People can source mattresses nearby
Outdoor camping: there is extended gardens and fields for camping or camper vans
PRICING
Everyone will need to pay a contribution between 310€ to 540€
This will include accommodation, food and drink (self service bar / not paid)
Prices vary depending on type of accommodation and level of alcohol consumption
The price will be the same regardless of how many days you come for (e.g 5 days residency or full 11 days with build and break). It is better value for money and a fuller experience to come for the full length.
Creative materials and anything beyond basic tech are NOT included - people would need to bring anything specific they want to use.
We would hopefully supply basic tech such as a few PA systems and backline, and some basic creative materials like pens, paper and fabrics from 90mil.
Hopefully there will be a few vans to transport everyone's materials collectively.
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Results will be announced in a video call on Tuesday 16th at 8pm Berlin time where we will also discuss next steps. Those who submit a response will get an email inviting them to the call.
Waiting list: If you know someone who has only been to The Palace once but would like to be considered to attend this final residency please get them to sign up to the waiting list here: https://forms.gle/JHyqVCxhCC6G69fS7
Thats all for now!