DEADLINE: 2 NOVEMBER 2026, 03:00PM (GMT +2)

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This open call is for Ukrainian and Ukraine-based artists to undertake residencies in Finland in 2027. The open call is part of the Ukraine Solidarity Residencies Programme, supported by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.

Residencies will be hosted amongst the USRP partner network in Finland. See more below about the residency locations. 

ABOUT USRP

The Ukraine Solidarity Residencies Programme was established in 2022 by a group of independent art organisations who joined together to pool resources and share information. USRP offers residencies and accommodation for Ukrainian and Ukraine-based artists and arts practitioners 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.

The partners for the programme in 2027 are HIAP, Art Centre Salmela, Vantaa Artists Association, Värtsilä Art House, Nelimarkka Museum, Fairres and AARK. 

RESIDENCY PERIODS AND LOCATIONS

This call is for residencies between January – July 2027. 

The residencies are located in various places throughout Finland. Residencies are offered for between 1 – 3 months with the possibility of extension. 

Residencies can host a single artist and some residencies can host artists with family members (up to 4 people). 

AARK (Archipelago Art Residency in Korpo) is located in a small apartment building from the1960s, on the island of Korpo in the Turku Archipelago. It consists of four airy apartment studios which each include living and working spaces as well as a kitchen with basic amenities. The residence has a large yard and is situated right beside the sea. Close to the ferry that operates between the islands Korpo and Nauvo, it is easily accessible by public transport. Family members are welcome. 

Art Centre Salmela is in Mäntyharju, and provides each resident artist with a private room and a separate studio for working. Common spaces include a kitchen, bathrooms, and a living room. The studios and bedrooms may be shared among multiple artists as agreed ahead of time. There are 1-4 artists in residence at a given time.

Fairres is an Eco Art Residency located in the Finnish town of Porvoo. The residence consists of a 45m² semi-detached house with its own garden and a separate 15m² workspace with 24/7 access. Fairres AiR can offer the resident a silent retreat or collaboration with the Porvoo cultural scene.

HIAP offers solidarity residencies on Suomenlinna island. The residencies offer furnished apartments and studio options as well as access to HIAP’s facilities. Families are welcome. More information about the residency programme and locations here.

Nelimarkka Artist Residency is maintained by Nelimarkka Museum and is located in a nice quiet place close to the centre of Alajärvi. The two-storey residency building was designed by famous architect Alvar Aalto in 1926. On the main floor there is a gallery space, the second floor is solely for the artist’s use and consists of two private rooms and a large shared studio along with a shared kitchen and laundry facilities. The residency also provides bicycles.

Värtsilä Art House is an international art centre and artist residency in Värtsilä, North Karelia. It was founded in response to the war in Ukraine. The residency hosts artists who are displaced due to the war. On the premises, there is a private residential house with all the essentials for living, a large workshop for working with ceramics and sculpture, as well as kilns for wood firing and facilities for metal casting. The residency prioritises hosting artists with families.

Vantaa Artists Association hosts residencies at the Gjutars Artists House, situated in the historic and idyllic cultural district of Kuninkaala in Vantaa. The upper floor of the house is the residence and studio, the ground floor is the Gjutars Gallery which hosts changing exhibitions by professional artists.  

RESIDENCY CONDITIONS

• Free living and working space
• Travel to and from the artists home (one return trip)
• Working grant of €1200 per month

ACCESSIBILITY

If you would like any 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’.  

INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

HIAP and the USRP partners are 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 identify 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 Ukrainian or Ukraine-based artists and arts practitioners who have been affected by the war. 

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. 

Required materials:

• Professional Background: describe your artistic practice, including what types of processes you are working with (up to 250 words / 2 minutes)
• Brief description of your current situation: please tell us whether you are still in Ukraine or are based in another country. Briefly describe any relevant information in regards to your professional or personal situation. (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). 

Within the form you will also be able to select your preferred residency length and location.

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 as outlined 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, 03:00PM (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 after which you will hear from us on the next steps.