Funding for artist residencies

Nordic and Baltic residential 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 residential stays, 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 residential 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 residential stay, the Nordic–Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture recommends longer stays of two to four months, if possible. The funding can cover the calendar year in which the application is submitted, plus two additional years. Funding cannot be awarded retroactively, and funded activities may begin no earlier than eight weeks after the application deadline.
• As long as the application meets the above requirements, the residential 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.

Project duration

• Projects may commence no earlier than eight weeks after the application deadline.
• Residency projects may run during the year in which the application is submitted and the following two calendar years (i.e. the application year plus two additional years).

• Funding is available to established residential centres, organisations, and institutions with at least one year’s documented experience of organising artist residencies within the arts and cultural sector.
• Residential 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.
• Individual practitioners of art and culture cannot get funding for residential stays.

The funding covers all areas of art and culture.

Funding for artist residencies 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 residential stay at the centre. The funding must also include remuneration to the artist during their stay.
• The Nordic–Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture must not be the only source of funding for the residential centre’s activities.
• 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).

Please note that the mandatory budget template must be used. Clearly specify the costs for which funding is being requested.

• The budget attachment must be prepared using the budget template provided via the relevant link.
• Statutes of the organisation/entity
• Sustainability policies, including policies on non-discrimination, gender equality, and a safe work environment.

Read more on how to prepare a good budget

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 residential 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 contemporary artistic and cultural context.
• The residential organisation must demonstrate established connections within the Nordic–Baltic region and with international practitioners in the arts and culture sector.

Capacity

The residency centre must have the capacity to support the artist’s work.

• The residency centre must be able to host and work with several artists simultaneously while supporting their creative processes.
• The residency centre must have a proven track record of co-operation with the local arts and cultural community.
• It’s important that the residency centre has the capacity to provide artists with opportunities to build international networks.

Make sure you always mention who funded your project in your project communication – together we demonstrate that a form of funding is required.

Projects that have been granted residency funding must use the logo of the Nordic–Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture.

Download the logo and get tips on how you can refer to us in texts and on social media here.