Deadline: 2 November 2026, 15:00 (GMT+2)

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This residency is for artists working in contemporary visual and interdisciplinary practices, who are currently based in Palestine or are of Palestinian descent.

The residency is part of the Ukraine Solidarity Residency Programme, supported by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.

The residency is a collaboration between HIAP Helsinki International Artist Programme and Sumud. 

RESIDENCY PERIOD AND LOCATION

12 April – 11 July 2027 (for a total period of 90 days)

At HIAP Cable Factory

RESIDENCY CONDITIONS

• Free live / work artist studio at Cable Factory
• Travel to and from the artists home (1 trip)
• Working grant of €3600

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY

HIAP and Sumud invite Palestinian contemporary artists to apply for a three month residency in Helsinki, during Spring 2027. 

The residency does not require the production of new works, or an exhibition output. There is the option to develop an exhibition proposal as a result of the residency, which could be presented at HIAP from 2029 onwards. The focus of the residency is to provide time and space to temporarily lean away from the intensities of daily routines, to focus on artistic research and to begin a collaborative dialogue with the local art scene. 

The residency will be hosted at Cable Factory, Helsinki’s largest cultural complex, housing numerous creative professionals and organisations.

The artist will be provided with a combined living and working studio (63 sqm) which includes kitchenette, sleeping loft, and private bathroom. The studios are suitable for two adults or small families. 

All residents also have 24/7 access to HIAP community facilities on Suomenlinna island such as the Community Room, Project Space, Equipment Room and Wood Workshop. Some equipment (eg projectors, sound systems) is available to borrow. 

Residents can take part in activities organised by HIAP during their residency period. These activities include:

• Welcome lunch with all newly arrived residents and local guests, with an opportunity to present your practice.
• Weekly afternoon coffees in HIAP’s Community Room to check in with fellow residents and hear from visitors to HIAP’s premises.
• Trips and visits to openings and events taking place in Helsinki: the HIAP Residency Team will gather and share weekly roundups of events happening in the city.
• Open Studios with an opportunity to share works in progress: this is one of HIAP’s most popular events that takes place at the end of the residency season and provides an opportunity to celebrate. 

HIAP also hosts and organises events and exhibitions in its own premises, and in collaboration with local partners which residents are warmly welcome to. 

More information about the residency programme and the facilities is available here. 

The residency is delivered through the Ukraine Solidarity Residency Programme (USRP) and supported by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. USRP has supported Ukrainian and Ukraine-based artists and art professionals who have been affected by the war in Ukraine. Since 2026, the USRP network has expanded this offer to artists based in Palestine or of Palestinian descent. 

ABOUT THE PARTNERS

HIAP has been delivering residencies for international artists in Helsinki since 1998. We work across two locations in Helsinki – Cable Factory, a multi arts centre on Helsinki mainland, and Suomenlinna, a UNESCO world heritage site island located approximately 15 minutes by boat from Helsinki mainland. Annually we welcome on average about 50 artists to undertake residencies in Helsinki. HIAP also programmes Gallery Augusta, located on Suomenlinna, which is an exhibition platform for international and Finland based artists. 

Sumud – The Finnish Palestine Network is an intersectional organisation that works in Finland for ending Israeli apartheid, occupation, colonialism and genocide and for the realisation of Palestinian human and political rights. As part of the global movement in solidarity with the Palestinian people, its goal is to end Finnish support for Israeli colonialism and apartheid and turn it into support for democracy, decolonisation and human rights. Sumud’s work has received awards from the Gender Studies discipline at the University of Helsinki, the Finnish Women’s Association Union and the Research Workers’ Association. The awards statements highlighted Sumud’s determined and tangible efforts to promote intersectionality and decoloniality, as well as its recognition of the feminist dimensions of the question of Palestine.

Ukraine Solidarity Residencies Programme (USRP) was started in March 2022 by a group of independent art organisations who joined together to pool resources, share information and offer residencies and accommodation for Ukrainian and Ukraine-based artists and art professionals that have been affected by the war in Ukraine. The aspirations of the collaboration are to promote solidarity by establishing sustainable support networks and finding the means for Ukrainian artists to continue their practices. USRP is coordinated by HIAP.

ACCESSIBILITY

Accessibility information for the residency site is available here. 

If you would like any further information about accessibility, or would like to discuss your access requirements in advance of making an application, please contact us. 

A small access budget for disabled artists is available for the residency. We use an inclusive definition of disability, guided by the social model. By using the term ‘disabled’, we mean those who identify as disabled, D/deaf, neurodivergent, chronically ill, experience mental health conditions, have long-term health conditions, barriers due to impairment or have access needs. We understand that different people use different terms to describe their experiences.

Within the form there is a dedicated section where you can include information about your access requirements. You can also choose to upload an Access Rider separately. This will not be included in the jury process and will be treated with strict confidence. You do not have to declare your access requirements in advance of making the application and there will be further opportunity to share this following selection. 

Information about this Open Call is available in large format and easy read. It is not available in international sign language or audio format – if this is a barrier for you please contact us and we will do our best to support you.

You can make your application in written, audio or video format. Please see further details under ‘How to Apply’. 

VISA SUPPORT

Whilst HIAP cannot guarantee that visas will be granted, particularly in the current geopolitical circumstances, we are here to support you in the process of securing a visa. A budget is available to cover the costs of securing the visa including application fees and travel / accommodation costs for visits to the relevant visa office or embassy. 

INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

HIAP is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment.

• HIAP’s Safer Spaces Policy is available here
• HIAP Staff and Residents agree to abide by a Code of Conduct, which is available here.

People who are LGBTQIA+, disabled* and/or from working class or low socioeconomic backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. 

*This includes but is not limited to those who define as disabled people, as people with long term health conditions, as deaf, Deaf, neurodivergent or in relation to their health-related access requirements.

WHO CAN APPLY

This call is for professional Palestinian contemporary artists who are residing in Palestine or the diaspora. 

If you are applying as a collective, please note there are no extra residency fees available or additional travel budget. There is one pet friendly / support & service animal friendly residency apartment in Cable Factory.

Family members are welcome. 

Artists and arts practitioners from all disciplines are welcome to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted via the online application form. Applications sent by email will not be considered. You can apply in written, video or audio format (see below guidance on submissions for audio and video formats)

Required materials for the application:

• Brief outline of your professional background and biography (up to 250 words / 2 minutes)
• Motivation statement including why you want to undertake this residency now (up to 250 words / 2 minutes)
• Portfolio / examples of previous work (max 10 pages / 5 minutes). Provided as an external link (please ensure there is no password or restrictions on access otherwise your application will not be assessed).

The application language is English.

Audio / Video Submission Guidelines

You can answer any question in the application form using audio or video instead of writing a response. To do this, record your answer, upload it to a file sharing or video platform (eg Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, Vimeo) and paste the link into that question’s answer field in the form.

Please make sure the links provided have no password or sharing restrictions, otherwise your application will not be assessed. 

Please follow these guidelines when submitting audio / video responses:

• Record in a single, continuous take for each answer – no editing, cutting, or splicing clips together.
• No added music, filters, text overlays, or special effects.
• Speak directly to the camera or microphone, in your own voice.
• Find a reasonably quiet space; background noise is fine, professional sound is not required.
• A smartphone or laptop recording is completely acceptable – we’re not assessing production quality.
• Stay within the time limit stated in the application form.
• State your name and the title of your proposal at the start.
• Submit in a common file format (MP4/MOV for video, MP3/WAV for audio).

DEADLINE: 2 NOVEMBER 2026, 15:00 (GMT +2)

DECISION MAKING AND TIMELINE

A panel which includes representatives from each partner organisation and independent artists / cultural workers will make the selection. The Jury will meet in November 2026 after which you will hear from us on the next steps.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The jury will evaluate the applications based on the following criteria:

• Motivation: does the applicant make a strong argument as to why they want to undertake a residency?
• Relevance: would the residency have a potentially meaningful impact on the local art scene?
• Topicality: does the focus of the proposal resonate well with topical issues?

Quality of applications will be assessed across multiple areas including relevancy, originality and distinctiveness, rigour, presentation, vision and impact.

The final selection will be made based on the highest scoring applicants against the above criteria.

Due to the volume of applications, individual feedback cannot be provided. However we will endeavour to summarise the key jury discussion points and share with all who applied.