SERVICES
Three priorities. One room.
FIGURA is more than a gallery; it is a resource for Sofia’s creative community. Our space operates on a priority-based hybrid model (P1, P2, P3) designed to ensure that commercial utility directly subsidizes artistic ambition.
P1 priority
Exhibition formats
Three ways to show with us, depending on how much time and budget you need.
All three carry the same eligibility, commission, and support - see the note below.
2-Week Exhibition
Our standard format. We handle logistics and promotion so you can focus on the work.
Apply now1-Week Exhibition
A faster, lighter version of the open call, for a shorter, high-impact run.
Apply nowNovember Spotlight
A low-barrier slot reserved for artists new to the scene. If the Artist Fund has enough saved, we waive the fee entirely.
Apply now*Waived when the Artist Fund can cover it.
P2 priority
Residencies & Mentorship
Every July and August, FIGURA closes to the public and becomes a dedicated workspace.
4-Week Residency
Three weeks in the studio, one week to exhibit what you made. A workspace can be set up inside the gallery on request.
Apply nowP3 priority
Fuel the Room: Commercial Hire
For brands, creators, and organizations who need a simple, artistic venue. Every euro goes straight into the Artist Development Fund.
What we offer
Four ways to work with us
Have something else in mind? We're happy to talk through a custom arrangement.
Exhibitions
A platform for work that's hard to install elsewhere — sculpture, sound, video, installation, performance, in a room built for it.
Residencies & Mentorship
Three weeks of studio time, one week to show what you made. Every July and August, the gallery closes to the public and becomes a workspace.
Fuel the Room: Commercial Hire
Rent the room for a shoot, a launch, a screening, a meeting. Every euro funds the Artist Development Fund.
Workshops & Lectures
Monthly sessions led by industry professionals on the business side of being an artist — grants, documentation, pricing, contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
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FIGURA is an artist-run space built on Radical Transparency. We are one of the few spaces in the city specifically dedicated to "difficult" or space-intensive media like sculpture, textiles, sound, performance, and video. We also operate on a unique 80/20 rule: 80% of our programming is strictly reserved for early and mid-career artists who need space and resources to establish themselves.
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We operate on a priority-based tripartite model to ensure sustainability and support for the arts:
Exhibitions (P1 Priority): Standard 2-week open call shows, flexible 1-week exhibitions, and our annual November Spotlight for emerging talent.
Residencies (P2 Priority): 4-week residency blocks (3 weeks of studio work + 1 week of exhibition) designed for research, production, and a change of scenery.
Commercial Hire (P3 Priority): Venue rental for events, lectures, and meetings. 100% of this income subsidizes our artistic programs.
Professionalization: Monthly workshops covering grant writing, documentation, and artist statements.
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By eliminating a physical Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal, we keep our single room 100% dedicated to the art and the experience. This also allows us to offer 24/7 purchasing access to collectors worldwide, ensuring that our artists have the best chance of making a sale without us needing to manage a retail counter.
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Item descriptioYou can contribute directly to our Artist Development Fund. These donations are used to keep the space running during slower months, provide materials for our residents, and subsidize exhibition fees for artists who otherwise couldn't afford them. You can also support us by buying art through our online shop or subscribing to our Quarterly Digital Magazine.
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At this stage, FIGURA is funded entirely by the founders’ personal paychecks. We have committed to covering the operational costs ourselves until April 2026 to prove that this model works. Our long-term goal is for the space to be self-sustaining through our Hybrid Model, where commercial rentals (P3) and art sales (30% commission) cover the rent and fund our Artist Development Fund.
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The exhibition fees (e.g., €600 for a 2-week show) are used to cover direct operational overhead: rent, utilities, insurance, professional promotion, and the opening reception. Any surplus is rolled into our Artist Development Fund, which we use to provide material stipends for residents and lower fees for artists with fewer means.
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We host regular Open Calls for our P1 Priority exhibition slots. Applications are submitted via our online portal and must include a project proposal, an installation plan, and visual documentation. We do not accept spontaneous walk-in proposals; everything goes through our fair, juried process.
What is your response time for applications?
Exhibitions: Artists are typically notified 6 to 8 weeks prior to the proposed exhibition dates.
Residencies: Notification usually takes 3 to 4 months due to the logistical planning required for international or intensive projects.
General Inquiries: We aim to respond to emails within 3 to 5 business days.
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No. During July and August, FIGURA is strictly closed to the public and commercial hire. These months are reserved exclusively for our Artist Residency Program, providing creators with a distraction-free environment to work.