Funding for artist residencies is part of the Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture, which strengthens artistic and cultural cooperation in the Nordic region and the Baltic countries. The programme focuses on increasing the exchange of knowledge, contacts and interest in Nordic and Baltic art and culture. The Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme comprises three forms of funding: Mobility funding, Network funding and Funding for artist residencies.
What is eligible for funding?
Nordic and Baltic residency centres can apply for funding to invite artists from other Nordic and Baltic countries. The purpose of the programme is to promote mobility between the Nordic and Baltic countries.
Funding for artist residencies is available for all areas of art and culture. During their residency, the artists must have the opportunity to focus on their work without distraction, meet other artists, and establish contacts with local practitioners of art and culture.
The application should include plans to invite at least two professional artists from two other Nordic or Baltic countries outside the one where the centre operates. The funding does not cover artists who live in the same country in which the residency centre is located.
“Professional” means that there is documented experience in the field of art and culture and/or training in art or culture.
Although there is no limit to the length of a residency stay, the Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture recommends longer stays if possible. The funding can cover the calendar year in which the application is submitted, plus two additional years.
As long as the application meets the above requirements, the residency centre itself can select the artists based on its own guidelines. You can invite both individual artists and small groups. Artists can be selected through an open call following the grant decision, or you can apply for funding for the artists that have already been selected.
Application periods
Who is eligible to apply?
Funding can be applied for by existing residency centres or organisations, institutions and groups that are starting up new residency centres or initiatives within the residency sector in the field of art and culture.
Individual applicants cannot apply for funding for artist residencies.
Residency centres applying for funding must be located in the Nordic Region (Denmark, Finland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Åland) or the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and the invited artists must have a permanent address in one of these countries. However, they do not need to be a Nordic or Baltic citizen.
The funding covers all areas of art and culture.
How much money can you apply for?
Funding for residency centres can amount to EUR 50,000. The funding is to be managed by the centre and shall cover costs arising from the Nordic or Baltic artist’s residency stay at the centre. The funding can also include remuneration to the artist during their stay.
In addition to travel expenses, subsistence, remuneration and other direct costs which arise in connection with the artists’ stay, the budget may contain a maximum of 15% towards administrative expenses (to be specified).
The Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture must not be the only source of funding for the residency centre’s activities.
This template must be used for budgetingHow are applications assessed?
An assessment is made based on the above criteria and the degree to which the application successfully conveys the following:
Existing regional and international work
The residency centre’s experience in conducting ongoing residency activities for professional practitioners of art and culture. An assessment is also made of whether the residency is part of a current artistic and cultural context and of the ambition for the residency to create contacts between the Nordic-Baltic region and the international art and culture scene.
Capacity
The residency must have the capacity to support the artist’s work. As a rule, the residency must also have the opportunity to work with more than one artist at a time and have documented co-operation with the local art and culture scene. It’s important that the residency has the capacity to offer its artists opportunities for the creation of international networks.
Please note that the application deadlines for all programmes is at 15:59, Finnish time.
Frequently asked questions about the funding programmes Preview application form Go to the application portal
