For many years, art has been an inextricable part of Læsø’s identity, and for almost two centuries the island has played a major role in the life and work of some of Denmark’s greatest artists.
What is particularly special is how the unique artistic retreats of two of Denmark’s and the world’s most acclaimed artists – Asger Jorn (1914-1973) and Per Kirkeby (1938-2018) – have been recreated and preserved. The nature, tranquillity, contemplation and the ability to escape from the bustle of the metropolitan art scene whenever they needed to, were essential for these two artists.
Now, as a result of collaboration with a number of recognised partners in the Danish and international art worlds, Læsø AiR (Læsø Artist in Residence) will ensure that the retreats of the two artists remain a symbol of history and the artists’ work and residence on the island, serving as inspiration and support for future generations of artists.
Læsø AiR
The objective of Læsø AiR
The main objective of the Læsø AiR program is to supports the development of the artistic process and and research phase for professional visual artists by providing time, space and opportunity to reflect and immerse in the working process in the unique and appropriate settings on Læsø.
It is also a main focus of the Læsø AiR program to to promote the exchange between Danish and foreign artists and the Danish art scene. Furthermore foreign artists granted residencies will be given the opportunity to take part in networking activities with representatives from the Danish contemporary art scene.
Residents are also given the opportunity to present their artistic practice.
Application Læsø AiR
The application deadline for residencies at Læsø AiR in 2025:
August 4, 2024 at noon
Applications must be submitted via the link below before deadline.
You will hear from us medio September!
In 2025, the Læsø AiR program for foreign artists will include
- Use of the studio and accommodation in Per Kirkeby’s ideal, beautiful, authentic artist’s retreat, ‘Haabet’, on the island of Læsø, in its beautifully scenic seaside setting.
- Payment of travel costs (economy class) to and from Læsø.
- A monthly grant of DKK 7,500/EUR 1,000 to cover living costs, local transport and expenses for materials and production during the residency.
- Visiting programme to Danish art venues for international artists.
- A local host and knowledge group for introductions and networking on Læsø.
- 1-2 public public events; lecture, artist talk, open studio, performance or education as part of Læsø AiR/ Læsø Art and Culture’s annual public program during the residency.
Residency periods in 2025
Professional foreign (non-Danish) visual artists can apply for stays of 12 weeks’ duration. Professional Danish visual artists can apply for residencies of 4 and 6 weeks’ duration. At Haabet – Per Kirkeby´s former artistic retreat – artist can attend the residency program at the same time.
Haabet, Per Kirkeby’s former artistic retreat
In 1979, the artist Per Kirkeby (1938-2018) visited Læsø. During the visit, his interest in the island grew and so did his wish to stay for longer periods of time and immerse himself in his artistic work and in nature. Later the same year, the Kirkeby family bought a share of Haabet from the previous owners, Søren and Inga Rasmussen. In the years to follow, the farm was owned jointly by the families.
By the end of the eighties, the existing space at Haabet became too small for the large formats that Per Kirkeby now worked with on Læsø and a separate studio was drawn in collaboration with Ib Rasmussen. In 1989 the big and beautiful studio was ready, placed a few meters from the actual farm and inspired by the white-chalked barns from the region of North Jutland.
After the death of Per Kirkeby in 2018, Læsø Art and Culture acquired the property from the Kirkeby family in 2019 with the purpose of creating a residency program for professional artists.
Who can apply?
According to the objective of Læsø AiR professional Danish and foreign visual artists (non-Danish), who can document exhibition experience and previous collaboration with curators at a professional level, can apply for a residency. For Danish artists, it applies that they live in Denmark and primarily participates in the Danish art scene, and for foreign artists, it applies that they reside abroad and primarily participates in art scenes abroad.
In order to foster exchanges between Danish and foreign artists, Læsø AiR will due to spatial conditions primarily accept applications from individual artists. In the near future we hope to develop Læsø AiR and comply with the requirements of hosting artist groups.
The selected residents will be able to bring family for a shorter periode of time by agreement with Læsø AIR . The costs of this will be covered by the resident.
It is not allowed to bring pets.
It is a requirement that the applicants are able to communicate in English.
Requirements for Læsø AiR applications
- A motivated application for a Læsø AiR residency
- At least one solo exhibition/biennale/public art project
- References from 2 professional curators
The application must include
- A motivated application (max. 1 A4 page)
- A CV containing a minimum of one exhibition/biennale/ public art project within a professional context and two professional referees (max. 2 A4 page)
- Illustrations of works – at least five pictures. Text, titles and links can be added here (max. 5 A4 pages)
How will the applications be assessed
The following criteria will be given priority when assessing the applications:
- the motive the applicant expresses must tally with the policy of the Læsø AiR residency programme. The main objective of the program is to support the development of the artistic process and research phase for professional visual artists by providing time, space and opportunity to reflect and immerse in the working process in the unique and appropriate settings on Læsø. And furthermore to build new relationships between Danish and foreign artists and the contemporary visual arts scene in Denmark
- The applicant must be able to document their experience of exhibition/s in significant artistic contexts (i.e. solo presentations in museums or similar art institutions and/or participation in biennales and/or major public art projects etc.), and that
- the applicant must be able to document previous collaboration with curators, providing the names and contact details of two professionel referees, who can comment on recent work and artistic development on a professional level, and that
- the applicant must have an ambitious plan for their residency, reflecting artistic quality at a high professional level.
The applications will be assessed by Læsø AiR’s jury of artistic professionals
- Ellen Hyllemose, Artist, MFA, The Royal Danish Academy of Art, Schools of Visual Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark
- Sanne Kofod Olsen, Mag. art., Vice-chancellor, Kungliga Konsthögskolan, Stockholm, Sweden
- Jacob Thage, Senior researcher, Museum Jorn, Silkeborg, Denmark
- Caroline Nymark Zachariassen, MA, Curator, Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg, Denmark
Applicants will be informed directly about the jury’s decision within six to eight weeks after the application deadline.
Website link: https://www.laesoeair.dk/
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