Mission Statement & Values

Mission Statement

HIAP – Helsinki International Artist Programme is one of the largest international residency centres in Finland and the only one operating in the capital. HIAP focuses primarily on the Visual Arts and is open to artists and curators from various disciplines. In collaboration with local and international partner organizations, HIAP residencies are offered also for professionals in other creative fields, such as Dance, Theatre, Literature and Music. The activities at HIAP are organised almost exclusively through thematic projects and programmes, which highlight a certain geographical area or concentrate on a specific contemporary topic or an aspect of artistic practice. Projects and programmes can run from few months to several years.

Every year between 70–90 art professionals from around the world are offered a working period of 1–3 months in the HIAP residency studios in Helsinki. HIAP also hosts 80–120 shorter visits by art professionals invited by local art institutions or working independently on their own projects. Art professionals based in Finland have an opportunity to work abroad via projects and exchange programmes maintained by HIAP with its international partners.

The main objectives of the HIAP residency programme are:


- to initiate and support new approaches in producing, understanding, studying and valuing art


- to encourage artistic exploration and cross-disciplinary creativity

- to provide international arts professionals with opportunities to undertake creative work, conduct research, build networks and carry out special art projects in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area


- to present the creative work of international artists to audiences in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, and


- to foster international collaboration, exchange and dialogue in the arts.

HIAP gives precedence to artists whose interests lie within contemporary culture. HIAP encourages artists-in-residence to carry out collaborations with local artists and arts organisations and to realise projects accessible to a wide range of audiences. While working on their projects during the residency, guest artists have access to HIAP administrative support and to contacts with local arts professionals and organisations. The public events organised for and by the artists-in-residence include group and solo exhibitions, screenings, presentations, lectures, workshops, discussions, concerts, Open Studios and other special events.

Values

The core values at HIAP are: Openness, Hospitality and Courage

Openness: HIAP is always open to new people, ideas and projects from diverse backgrounds. Activities are built on identification of the challenges, needs and possibilities that are relevant to the contemporary professional art-making and on an unbiased analysis of topical issues in the society. Programme objectives and best practices are developed by an ongoing open dialogue with wide range of partners both on an institutional and grass-root level. The programme and its administration are transparent at all times and instances.

Hospitality: Within the programme, international visitors feel welcome and at home in Helsinki. For local professionals and organisations HIAP is a trusted partner and expert in international relations. For audiences and professionals alike, HIAP offers an accessible platform for creative encounters, new experiences and successful collaborations. All activities are based on principles of equality and inclusiveness.

Courage: HIAP is committed to taking the initiative in its field and crossing geographic, artistic, social and intellectual frontiers. The residency programme supports the conditions necessary to expand cultural tolerance and foster diversity in society. The artistic programming is ambitious and maintained at the highest level at all times, without compromise.