Journal - Entry
Swatch Art Peace Hotel: Shanghai Artist Residency on the Bund
Guide to the Swatch Art Peace Hotel residency in Shanghai offering 3-6 month stays with covered flights, accommodation, and daily breakfast in a historic landmark building.
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Swatch Art Peace Hotel: Shanghai Artist Residency on the Bund
The Swatch Art Peace Hotel offers 3-6 month residencies in one of Shanghai's most iconic buildings, a Victorian Neo-Baroque landmark on the Bund with stunning views of the city.
What's Included
- Round-trip flight or train from residence to Shanghai (organized and paid by Swatch)
- Individual accommodation and working space (furnished studios on 2nd/3rd floors)
- Airport pickup on arrival and departure
- Daily breakfast
What's Not Included
- No stipend provided
- Artists must fund personal and professional needs
- Meals beyond breakfast
- Art materials and supplies
Duration
- 3 to 6 months
- Rolling applications accepted year-round
Disciplines Accepted
- Dancers
- Musicians
- Photographers
- Filmmakers
- Writers
- Painters
- Conceptual artists
- All creative disciplines
Application Details
Fee
30 CHF donation to Medecins Sans Frontieres (required)
Process
- Register at swatch-art-peace-hotel.com/apply
- Create account
- Complete application in English
- Submit portfolio and motivation
Review Time
4-8 weeks for application review
What the Jury Looks For
- Individual and personal motivation
- Clear explanation of what makes you different
- Specific plans for work in Shanghai
The Building
History
One of Shanghai's most legendary buildings:
- South Building of the historic Peace Hotel
- Victorian Neo-Baroque architecture
- Iconic Bund location
- Intersection of Nanjing Road
- Re-opened by Swatch Group in 2010 (joint venture with Jin Jiang Group)
Studios
- 18 workshops and apartments
- Located on 2nd and 3rd floors
- Modern, furnished spaces
- Stunning city views
- Historic architectural details
Amenities
- Working space within accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Building staff support
- Central Shanghai location
The Shanghai Experience
Location
The Bund offers:
- Historic waterfront promenade
- Views of Pudong skyline
- Cultural heart of Shanghai
- Walking distance to museums, galleries
- Restaurant and nightlife district
The City
Shanghai provides:
- Major contemporary art scene
- International arts community
- Traditional and modern China
- World-class museums
- Dynamic creative energy
Practical Considerations
Visa
- Swatch provides support for visa applications
- Artist visa or appropriate category
- Plan ahead for processing time
Cost of Living
- Shanghai is moderately expensive
- No stipend means self-funding required
- Affordable food options available
- Transportation costs reasonable
Language
- English spoken in arts community
- Basic Mandarin helpful
- International environment
Artistic Trace
At residency conclusion:
- Artists invited to leave an "artistic trace"
- Image of work created during residency
- Contributes to Virtual Museum
- Part of Swatch Art Peace Hotel legacy
Application Tips
- Personal motivation - Why Shanghai specifically?
- Clear differentiation - What makes your practice unique?
- Specific project plans - What will you create?
- Financial planning - Can you self-fund living expenses?
- Professional portfolio - Quality documentation
Why Choose Swatch Art Peace Hotel?
- Iconic location - Historic Bund landmark
- Shanghai access - Major global art capital
- No application deadline - Rolling acceptance
- Multi-disciplinary - All creative fields welcome
- Travel covered - Flights and accommodation provided
How to Apply
- Visit swatch-art-peace-hotel.com/apply
- Create account
- Complete all sections in English
- Pay 30 CHF donation to MSF
- Submit and await response (4-8 weeks)
Related Resources
Last updated: December 2025. Always verify current details on the official Swatch Art Peace Hotel website.