Deadline: Tuesday 9 September 2025, 15:00 (GMT+3)

For Finland based artists and artist groups to undertake short-term workspace residencies at HIAP Gallery Augusta.

Residency Period: 7 January – 14 March 2026

Residency Length: 2 – 4 weeks

About HIAP Workspace Residencies 

HIAP – Helsinki International Artist Programme invites Finland based artists and artist groups to apply for a Workspace Residency in Gallery Augusta, Suomenlinna. 

The residency can be 2 – 4 weeks long, taking place between 7 January – 14 March 2026. 

Workspace Residencies are intended for artists who need access to larger space for focussed development of a specific artwork or project. The residency is independent and self-directed, best suited for production focused work rather than open ended research. 

Artists will have access to shared workspace in Gallery Augusta, and can request access to a HIAP Suomenlinna apartment if accommodation is required. 

Residents are welcome to join the HIAP International Artist in Residence programme during their workspace residency including attending afternoon coffees and other programmed activities during their workspace residency period. Workspace Residents will not participate in HIAP Open Studios. 

‘HIAP’s wonderful Workspace Residency gave us the opportunity to fulfill a long-dreamt of collaboration and exchange of artistic practices. We were provided with a peaceful, spacious, and light-filled studio and access to well-equipped workshop facilities; alongside the generous support of HIAP’s dedicated team. The residency’s unique location on the Suomenlinna fortress island enabled us to engage in-depth with the coastal landscape, and conduct our site-responsive works with the frozen sea ice. Informal gatherings such as meals and sauna evenings with fellow residents, including both local and international artists and curators, fostered meaningful dialogue and new professional connections.’ – Laura Lowe (Workspace Resident 2025) 

‘I used the workspace residency in 3 different ways: first it offered me an escape from ugly suburban life into the beauty of Suomenlinna, and the possibility to -or not to- exchange with peers. The beauty is needed in life and in work. Second and main reason: I do not have a proper studio; there are works that I can design in paper and build directly to the exhibition space, yet there are certain works which I need to create- test and try- before I take them to the show. Without the stress of results, the stress of showing, workspace gives possibility for risk taking. Playing in the space, with the space, playing with ideas. And the last: being in Hiap premises gave certain officiality, professionalism: I could invite colleagues and friends for studio visits.’ – Elina Juopperi (Workspace Resident 2025)

‘HIAP’s workspace residency provided the space and resources to work on a diversity of projects in an inspiring environment. For two weeks the gallery space functioned as our atelier that could be turned into a photo studio or workshop space when needed. Surrounding historical structures and open sea acted as the perfect backdrop for our photography and field recording projects.’ – Art Collective Tuhmat (Workspace Resident 2025)

Residency Conditions

• Residency Duration: Between 2 – 4 weeks.

• Residency Period: Between 7 January – 14 March 2026. 

• Location: HIAP Gallery Augusta, Suomenlinna.

• Who can apply: Finland-based artists or working groups.

• The residency is free of charge — HIAP does not charge a fee to the residents.
• HIAP does not provide working grants / stipend, production budgets, or travel funding.
• Possible access to a HIAP Suomenlinna Residency Apartment:
  
  – 30sqm, fully furnished
  – Includes kitchenette and bathroom
  – Suitable for 1-2 people
  – Pets are not allowed. 

Transportation

Please note that transporting goods to and from the island may require planning and a budget. You can carry goods up to 50 kilograms free of charge on the ferry and use milk carts on the island to transport them (it is 15 minutes walk through dirt paths and cobble stones to reach HIAP). If coming by car, a two way ticket costs 45€ for a car up to 6 meters and 89€ for a car 6-9 meters.

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 office@hiap.fi. A separate access budget is not available for the residency. 

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.

Unfortunately information about this Open Call is not currently available in other formats such as large print, International Sign Language or audio formats. We hope this will change in the future. If this is a barrier for you, please contact us on office@hiap.fi and we will do our best to support you. 

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

*Global majority is a collective term for people of Indigenous, African, Asian or Latin American descent. 

**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 artists living and working in Finland. Applicants who can demonstrate a real need for access to larger working space will be prioritised. 

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the online application form. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Required materials:

• Brief outline of your professional background and biography (up to 250 words)
• Motivation statement including why access to a larger working space / gallery space is required. (up to 250 words)
• Which period and residency length would work best.
• How much space in Gallery Augusta is required: see photos, layout and other information here.
• If a residency apartment is required.
• Portfolio or examples of previous work (max. 10 images or 3 video/audio files) provided as an external link (no file upload optional available).

Application deadline: Tuesday 9 September 2025, 15:00 (GMT +3)

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Selection Criteria

The selections will be made by a jury consisting of HIAP representatives. The Jury will meet on 22 September 2025, after which you will hear from us on the next steps. 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 the residency and is there a clear need for a workspace?
• Topicality: does the focus of the proposal resonate well with topical issues?
• Diversity: does the applicant consider diversity within their practice and / or how would they contribute to the diversity of the HIAP residency programme in terms of practice and lived experience?

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

The final selection will be made based on the highest scoring applicants against the above criteria, and availability of the HIAP Gallery Space. 

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. 

A note on the use of AI in the applications:

As a principle, the use of AI in development of applications is not an issue and we recognise how important AI is as an access and inclusion tool. Unfortunately, we have found in recent open calls that AI is being used to generate the content of applications (as opposed to supporting the writing and editing process), and this has often resulted in proposals which lack voice and authenticity. 

We reference this not to demonise the use of AI in application processes, but to encourage applicants who are using AI to consider how they can maintain their own unique voice within their proposals and avoid weakening their individuality.