Frequently Asked Questions

Zvjezdane Staze is an artist residency; a place here is offered through application, and the amount below is the contribution a resident makes towards their stay.

What decides the rate is who is paying for the stay, whatever the size of an award.

• Room (private room, shared kitchen/bathroom on upper floor): 30 EUR/night, or 50 where a grant or an institution is covering the stay
• Apartment (a self-contained space for up to 2 people: bedroom, living room with library, work room with a studio equipped with two ADAM monitors and a digital piano, large kitchen, bathroom): 60 EUR/night, or 100 where a grant or an institution is covering the stay
• Full house (the entire property, up to 8 people: the main building, with the apartment on the ground floor and three rooms above it; a separate building holding the large studio; and the mutvak, a small house on two floors, a work room below and a room to sleep and work in above; two bathrooms; two kitchens; the courtyard with its outdoor kitchen; and the full infrastructure of the residency): 300 EUR/night, fixed

The studios, the equipment, the library and the work rooms are open to everyone staying here, whichever room they take. What the apartment adds is space and quiet; access is the same either way.

Final cleaning is charged on departure: 30 EUR for a room, 60 EUR for the apartment, 150 EUR for the whole house. This covers the changeover clean after you leave: bedding, floors, bathroom, a full clean of the kitchen. Keeping the house clean while you are in it is a separate matter, and it is not something that can be paid for.

The higher rate applies whenever the cost of accommodation is carried by someone other than the artist: a grant, a stipend, an institution, an employer. The size of the award does not change it.

Where 30 would keep someone from coming, write to us. That conversation is part of how this works, and it stays between us.

Every one of these rates is subsidised, including the highest. What an artist contributes never covers a stay; the difference is carried by Fondacija Prostor.

A partner or guest may join in principle, but always by prior written arrangement, set out in a short agreement that states the dates and the terms of the stay, as it depends on the working and living rhythm of the residency at the time. A short visit, agreed in advance, is 30 EUR/night. A longer stay is treated as a resident place: it goes through application and the same criteria as any other. Children are welcome. Because others are here to work, a stay with children is arranged individually, with the other residents in mind. Children under 12 stay free. Please ask us first in every case.

A portion of all fees goes directly to the local community in Mijakovići. This follows the principle of samodoprinos, a form of voluntary community contribution that was common in Yugoslavia, where people pooled resources for shared infrastructure: roads, schools, cultural centres. We’ve adapted this model. The higher rate carries more of a stay, contributes to the local economy, and helps fund scholarships, cultural programmes, and community needs. The distribution of collected funds is decided by the village community assembly. Details: see Transparency.

Specific programmes may have different pricing structures.

Many countries offer outgoing mobility grants that can cover residency costs. See our Mobility Funding Guide for programmes that support travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

All fees include full use of the house infrastructure:

• Accommodation: Private room with bed, desk, lamp, wardrobe. Bed linen and towels provided.
• Facilities: Two fully equipped kitchens, two bathrooms (hairdryer available), washing machine, iron.
• Workspace: Three working rooms, office equipment (printer, scanner).
• Studio: Technical equipment for audio and video work (see “What equipment is available?”).
• Library: Books in multiple languages (BKS, German, English, Russian, Italian, Spanish), records, gramophone.
• Outdoor: Garden with furniture, grill, pergola.
• Utilities: WiFi, firewood in winter.

Food is not included; the kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering. Travel costs are covered by residents. Some programmes include meals in the fee.

Talk to us. The contribution is agreed with each artist and adjusted where circumstances require; it has never been the thing that decides a residency. See Apply for the full picture.

We accept bank transfers, PayPal, and credit card payments via Mollie. Payment details are sent when your stay is confirmed.

• Stays under 21 nights: Full payment due at least 30 days before arrival.
• Stays of 21 nights or longer: A deposit of 300 EUR is due within 7 days of confirmation. The remaining balance is due at least 30 days before arrival.

Each residency requires preparation: we coordinate logistics and arrange equipment based on your practice. This takes time and resources, which is why we ask for advance payment and have a clear cancellation policy.

• 30+ days before arrival: Full refund (minus 20 EUR administrative fee).
• 14–30 days before arrival: 50% refund.
• Less than 14 days: No refund.

In exceptional circumstances (medical emergency, force majeure), please contact us directly.

Last-minute bookings (less than 30 days before arrival) are possible if we have availability. Full payment is due immediately upon confirmation. The standard cancellation policy applies based on how many days remain until your arrival.

The currency is the Convertible Mark (BAM), pegged to the Euro at approximately 1 EUR = 1.96 BAM. Cards are accepted in cities, but carry some cash for the village and smaller shops.

An independent artist residency in Mijakovići, a small village in the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We host artists working in sound, visual arts, media arts, text, artistic research, and related forms.

Year-round. The house is available in all seasons. Winter can be cold and snowy; summer is warm and green. Each season has its character. Some programmes run only at specific times; check individual programme pages for dates.

Stays typically last one to four weeks. Longer stays are equally welcome, arranged individually. Some formats like Raзgovoriшte (literary weekends) are weekend-only.

The house accommodates up to 5 solo or 8 when sharing. We prefer smaller groups to maintain the quiet working atmosphere.

A partner or guest may join in principle, but always by prior written arrangement, set out in a short agreement that states the dates and the terms of the stay, as it depends on the working and living rhythm of the residency at the time. A short visit, agreed in advance, is 30 EUR per night. A longer stay is treated as a resident place: it goes through application and the same criteria as any other. Children under 12 stay free, likewise arranged with us beforehand, with the other residents in mind. Please ask us first in every case, so we can plan properly and keep things fair to everyone working here.

Unfortunately, no. The house is on a steep hillside with uneven terrain, and some rooms are on the upper floor. We are happy to discuss specific accessibility needs before you apply.

Working languages are English, German, BKS (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian), and Turkish. Most communication happens in English. For local interactions, BKS is helpful but not required. We can assist with translation.

Yes, during public programmes: Dvonoćje in June, Sлušaliшte concerts in summer, and the Saturday readings of Raзgovoriшte throughout the year. Visits outside these events may also be possible by arrangement. Get in touch to discuss.

Yes. Zvjezdane·Zvuчne·Staze is a permanent installation open to anyone. The trail from Mijakovići to Bobovac is public. Just bring your phone, scan the QR codes at each station, and listen.

The village is about 1.5 hours from Sarajevo by car. You can rent a car at the airport, take a bus to Kakanj and arrange a pickup with us. We recommend coordinating transport with us in advance so we can help plan the best route. See the Location page for detailed options.

A village bus connects Mijakovići with Vareš, departing around 6:30 and returning around 14:00. Beyond that, it’s sometimes possible to arrange rides with villagers going to Vareš, Kakanj, or elsewhere. These things are coordinated informally. A rental car is recommended if you want to explore the area independently.

Yes, we can arrange pickup. Let us know your arrival time when you apply. Cost is typically 20–50 EUR depending on pickup location (Sarajevo or Kakanj) and can be shared with other arriving residents.

A mobile shop passes through the village twice a week with basics. You’ll hear the horn; the house is first in the village. The nearest grocery store is in Vareš, 30 minutes away. Kakanj and Sarajevo have everything for larger shopping. Plan your groceries; if you miss the mobile shop, you miss it. But nobody starves. There’s food around, and it’s not Mount Everest.

Yes, stable WiFi throughout the house. Good enough for video calls and uploading files. Mobile reception is also decent in most areas.

Wood stoves. In winter, you’ll learn to keep the fire going. Firewood is provided. The house gets warm quickly once the stoves are lit, but mornings can be cold until you start the fire.

The studio is well-equipped for audio and video work. A selection:

• Audio: Behringer Xenyx X1832 USB mixer, Behringer UMC1820 audio interface, ADAM Audio T7V nearfield monitors, Zoom H4n field recorder, various cables (XLR, TRS, USB)
• Instruments: Yamaha Clavinova CLP 625 digital piano, Petrof upright piano (a detuned concept piano with its own story from the war)
• Video/Light: Samsung Freestyle projector, Hisense 43” screen, Lumidesk DMX interface, NEEWER RGB LED softbox lighting kit

This is not a complete inventory. There’s more (microphones, lighting, cables). If you need something specific, let us know in advance.

Access to the large studio is coordinated among residents. In practice, this works smoothly. We aim to host artists whose practices don’t overlap, so everyone has the space they need.

The nearest health centre (Dom zdravlja) is in Vareš, about 30 minutes away. There is no healthcare in the village itself. For emergencies, the nearest university hospital is in Zenica (about 1 hour); Sarajevo hospitals are about 1.5 hours away. We strongly recommend having travel/health insurance.

Bosnia has venomous snakes. The poskok (nose-horned viper) and šarka (common European adder) are the most common, including in Mijakovići. They are strictly protected and very shy; encounters are rare if you watch where you step. Standard countryside awareness applies: don’t put your hands where you can’t see, wear shoes outside.

The surrounding forests are home to wolves, bears, lynx, wild boar, and foxes. These rarely come close to the village, but it’s good to know the context.

We strongly recommend travel and health insurance that covers Bosnia and Herzegovina. The residency does not provide coverage. Make sure your policy includes medical evacuation if that’s important to you.

No shoes inside the house, please. This is standard throughout Bosnia. Slippers are provided, or bring your own. Leave outdoor shoes at the entrance.

This matters more here than almost anything else, so we say it plainly. The house is kept clean, always, without compromise. In Bosnia a home is kept ready, because someone may always drop by unannounced, and a clean house is a matter of respect, for the household and for everyone in it. On this there is no room for compromise.

In practice it is simple: you clean up after yourself straight away, every time. You shower, you leave the bathroom clean for the next person. You cook, you wash the dishes at once, wipe the surfaces down, dry them, put things back. Nothing is left for later, and nothing is left overnight. Shared spaces belong to everyone and stay clean for everyone.

This is not a small point for us. An artist who does not keep to it, who does not maintain hygiene and clean up after themselves, cannot stay. We have had to end a stay over this, and we would rather be clear now than reach that point again.

There is an outdoor gas kitchen in the courtyard: a covered stainless-steel counter with gas rings. Longer cooking and frying are done there, as is anything that gives off strong smells, so that odours stay outside rather than settling into the fabrics and the rooms indoors. This is a rule. The indoor kitchens are for bad weather and hard cold, and for shorter, lighter cooking. In a village summer, food left standing attracts insects quickly, so nothing is left out uncovered or unwashed. This keeps the house pleasant for everyone sharing it.

Yes, from 22:00 to 08:00, so the house and the village rest. The one exception is when something is agreed together in advance, a gathering or a small celebration, arranged with us and with the other residents. Otherwise, quiet is kept.

No smoking inside the house. You may smoke outside on the terrace or in the garden.

In principle, yes, but it must be arranged in advance. It depends on other residents (allergies, comfort), the type of animal, and the practicalities. Please discuss this with us before applying.

Alcohol is fine in moderation. Illegal drugs are not permitted; this is Bosnian law.

Please report any damage or malfunction as soon as possible. Accidents happen; what matters is communication. In cases of negligence, we may need to discuss repair costs.

Use the online application form or write to info@zvjezdanestaze.ba. Describe your work, what you would use the time for, and when you are thinking of coming. Include links to previous work. See the How to Apply page for details.

Applications are rolling. You can apply any time. Specific programmes with open calls have their own deadlines, announced on the website and newsletter. For general residencies, we recommend applying at least 3 months in advance.

We welcome both individuals and collectives. Composers, sound artists, writers, researchers, visual artists: if you feel this place and its concept could offer something meaningful to your practice, we’d be glad to talk.

We welcome applicants at all career stages who share our values of human dignity and respect. See our Code of Ethics for more.

We may be able to provide invitation letters for visa applications, depending on the circumstances. If you need one, mention it when you apply and we’ll discuss the details. We don’t guarantee this in advance, but we don’t exclude the possibility either.