The Siena Art Institute is delighted to announce the results of The Peace Room Scholarship call for applications, a new pilot initiative within our study abroad programs designed to foster dialogue between young artists collaborating across different cultures and backgrounds.
The Peace Room – 2026 edition
Global Response to The Peace Room Call
When the call for applications was launched, we were eager to see how the international creative community would respond. The result exceeded our expectations: we received 69 applications from 28 countries. It’s a clear sign of the strong international interest in study abroad opportunities that connect artistic practice with themes of peace, community, intercultural exchange and diplomacy.
We are grateful to every applicant who took the time to complete the application form and to prepare and submit their portfolio for this new project; and we are deeply grateful to those of you who accepted to take part in one or even two intervews with our selection committee. The diversity of the submissions confirm that The Peace Room addresses a global need for creative and academic spaces where to focus on nurturing dialogue and understanding.
The selection process
Choosing the final participants was not an easy task. As only 4 scholarships were on offer for the 2025 edition of The Peace Room, the acceptance rate for the program was just a bit under 5,8%.
Our review process included the careful evaluation of:
- Portfolios showcasing each young artist’s practice and vision;
- An application form describing their interest in engaging with The Peace Room;
- Two rounds of interviews, allowing the selection committee to better understand each applicant’s motivations and potential contributions to the group and project.
After a long and rigorous selection process, the commettee awarded the following four international applicants with the 2025 Peace Room scholarship:
Elizabeth Clark (UK)
Nat Saoud (Lebanon)
Tara Tarawneh (Jordan)
Lily Wharton (UK)
They will receive a complete tuition waiver for the Siena Art Institute 2025 Fall semester, accommodation, and up to 150€ materials and 200€ travel reimbursement.
Looking Ahead: Future Opportunities
As this is a pilot program, The Peace Room will continue to evolve. This first edition is only the beginning: we anticipate further iterations in the coming years, expanding opportunities for international students and artists to engage with Siena’s community.
To those who were not selected this time, we extend our warm thanks once again. We hope you will stay connected with us and consider applying for future editions of The Peace Room, or for other Siena Art Institute residency and scholarship opportunities.
Stay connected
We invite our community to follow the developments of The Peace Room project and to learn more about the Siena Art Institute’s study abroad programs and residencies via our Blog and social media.
See the Siena Art Institute’s past and present art and community projects here.
THE PEACE ROOM project has been created with the contribution of the Region of Tuscany and GiovaniSì within the Toscanaincontemporanea2025 program:
