Mali'e Co-Laboratory Artist Residency
Paid weeklong artist residency for Guam-based cultural practitioners exploring ancestral spirituality and creative healing practices.
Gi Matan Guma' is calling for cultural practitioners and creatives from all disciplines to apply for a paid, weeklong artist residency through its Mali'e Co-Laboratory program. This unique opportunity is led by the organization's original Mali'e cohort and centers ancestral spirituality through the tending of sacred sites, movement, chant, and material cultural practices.
This year's gathering will explore the lunar month of Umayanggan—a season traditionally marked by rain, reflection, grief, and renewal. The residency will investigate how creative practices help participants move toward joy, abundance, and healing. The program runs from Monday, December 29, 2025 to Sunday, January 4, 2026, and will culminate in a collaborative community ritual activation at Sagan Kotturan Chamoru on Saturday, January 3, 2026.
Participants who successfully complete the program will receive an $800 chenchule' (gift/stipend). The residency is grounded in Chamoru knowing and traditions, though fluency in Chamoru language is not required. Creatives and cultural practitioners who call Guam home are especially encouraged to apply.
The Mali'e Co-Laboratory offers a unique space for artists to deepen their practice while connecting with ancestral wisdom and community. This is an excellent opportunity for cultural practitioners seeking paid artistic development with a strong community and spiritual focus.