Who Gets Funded in Taoxichuan’s Migratory Bird Residencies 2026?
Q1: When was the first-round list for the 2026 Taoxichuan Migratory Bird Program released?
A:
The first-round selection list for the 2026 Taoxichuan Art Center Migratory Bird Residency Program was officially released on December 24, 2025.
This follows Taoxichuan’s usual schedule. Every year, the residency results are announced twice, and the first announcement almost always comes in December.
Q2: What exactly is the Taoxichuan “Migratory Bird Program”?
A:
The Migratory Bird Program is an artist residency initiative launched after China reopened at the end of 2022.
From 2023 through 2025, it has been held continuously for three years.
The program is mainly designed for ceramic artists who are members of the International Academy of Ceramics, also known as IAC.
Each year, artists have only two chances to apply, which is why the program attracts so much attention and competition.
Q3: Who runs Taoxichuan Art Center, and why is this program so appealing?
A:
Taoxichuan Art District is organized and managed by Jingdezhen Ceramic Culture & Tourism Group, a state-owned cultural enterprise.
The Migratory Bird Program receives government financial support, and this is one of the key reasons so many ceramic artists from China and abroad actively apply.
Compared with more commercial ceramic markets, Taoxichuan focuses on ceramic culture, artistic creation, intangible heritage, and cultural tourism, rather than pure sales.
Q4: What kind of support has the program offered in recent years?
A:
Looking back at 2023 and 2024, many selected IAC member artists received financial support, which could include:
- International round-trip airfare, either partial or full
- Free accommodation
- Free studio space
- Partial support for ceramic materials
However, daily living and meal expenses are usually paid by the artists themselves.
Because artists come from very different regions — Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America — the actual subsidy amounts vary, and these figures are not publicly disclosed.
Q5: How many artists were selected in the first round for 2026?
A:
In the first round for 2026, 189 artists were officially notified.
They fall into three different categories.
First, there are 21 invited artists.
These artists are specially invited, and their residencies are fully funded, usually covering airfare, accommodation, studio space, facilities, and materials.
Second, there are 68 partially self-funded artists.
In this case, the artist pays part of the cost, and Taoxichuan covers the rest.
The exact details are communicated individually by email.
Third, there are 100 fully self-funded artists.
For this group, all expenses — travel, accommodation, studio rent, and materials — are paid by the artists themselves.
Q6: Who decides which artists are invited or funded?
A:
All applications are reviewed by an eight-member Art Jury Committee.
The jury works collectively and follows principles of openness, fairness, and professional judgment.
Decisions are not made by a single individual, but through group evaluation and discussion.
Q7: What criteria does the jury use to evaluate artists?
A:
The jury mainly looks at three core factors.
First, professional and academic achievement.
This includes exhibition history, awards, and whether the artist’s work has been collected by museums or recognized institutions.
Second, innovation and originality.
The jury pays close attention to whether the artist has a clear personal language, new ideas, or original breakthroughs — not just repetition or imitation of existing styles.
Third, relevance to ceramics and to Jingdezhen.
Because Jingdezhen is fundamentally a ceramic city, artists whose practice is closely connected to clay, ceramic processes, and sculptural work tend to have a stronger connection to the residency’s mission.
Q8: What about artists working in other media?
A:
Artists working mainly in oil painting, glass, metal, or other non-ceramic media are still considered,
but the jury evaluates how closely their work relates to ceramic thinking, material logic, or sculptural practice, and how well it aligns with Taoxichuan’s ceramic focus.
Q9: Who is eligible to apply for the Migratory Bird Program?
A:
To apply, artists must first become members of the International Academy of Ceramics, or IAC.
This requires registering online, submitting personal information and a portfolio, and passing an internal review.
Membership must be maintained with an annual fee, and only active members are eligible to apply for the Taoxichuan residency.
Q10: Any final thoughts for future applicants?
A:
This interpretation is based on the official announcement and published evaluation standards from Taoxichuan Art Center.
If there are any inaccuracies, professional feedback is always welcome.
For artists planning to apply in future rounds, early preparation matters — a strong portfolio, a clear artistic direction, and valid IAC membership can make a real difference.
If you’re considering Taoxichuan in the future, understanding how the system works is already the first step.
