Organizer Information
The residency is organized by Uppsala Konstnärsklubb (Uppsala Artists’ Association), a local artist-run association based in Uppsala. The organization is dedicated to strengthening the role of artists in society and fostering contemporary artistic practice through exhibitions, public programs, and collaborative initiatives.
In this context, the residency is developed as a pilot international exchange program, supported by Region Uppsala and Uppsala Kommun. The long-term ambition is to establish a recurring platform that connects international artists with the local cultural ecosystem of Uppsala, with a strong emphasis on site-specific research, historical inquiry, and public engagement.
Title & Description
International Artist-in-Residence Uppsala 2026 – The Walmstedtska Cultural Quarter, Uppsala
This two-week immersive residency invites one international artist to engage deeply with the Walmstedtska Cultural Quarter, a historically layered cultural environment in the heart of Uppsala. The program runs from October 12 to October 26, 2026, and is structured around research, production, and public engagement.
The central theme is the exploration of the Walmstedtska Quarter, a river-adjacent area characterized by historic 19th-century architecture, former academic residences, and contemporary artistic activity. Artists are invited to investigate the site as a “living archive,” where scientific history, bourgeois domestic life, and present-day cultural production intersect.
A key focus is the historic estate Walmstedtska gården, built between 1855–1860 and originally associated with academic life in Uppsala. The site includes preserved domestic spaces and outbuildings that once housed both private living quarters and early scientific activity, including a laboratory and mineral collection. Today, parts of the estate function as the museum Professorshemmet, offering insight into the domestic environment of the 19th-century university elite.
Artists are expected to translate their research into an artistic outcome presented in a final exhibition at Galleri 2, opening October 24 and continuing until November 8, 2026. The format is open and may include installation, performance, documentation, process-based work, or other conceptual approaches.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Installation
- Performance Art
- Site-specific Art
- Research-based Art
- Contemporary Art Practice
- Interdisciplinary / Experimental Art
- Photography & Documentation
- New Media (optional, if relevant to practice)
Eligibility
- International artists only (non-Swedish applicants encouraged)
- Professional artists across all disciplines
- Open to emerging, mid-career, and established practitioners
- Applicants must be able to work independently and engage in research-led, site-responsive practice
- Strong interest in historical context, archival research, or community engagement is required
- English proficiency required for communication and public programming
- No explicit age restrictions are stated
The program particularly welcomes artists interested in:
- Site-specific and context-responsive methodologies
- Historical research and archival interpretation
- Engagement with local cultural communities
- Cross-disciplinary and experimental approaches
Program Benefits & Awards
- Artist fee: 30,000 SEK
- Accommodation: 14 nights provided in Uppsala
- Per diem: 300 SEK per day
- Travel support: up to 10,000 SEK reimbursement
- Materials budget: 3,000 SEK
- Dedicated studio space at Uppsala Konstnärsklubb
- Exhibition opportunity at Galleri 2 (Oct 24 – Nov 8, 2026)
- Public programming, including artist talk, open studio, and vernissage participation
- Networking opportunities with local artists, including informal dinners and professional exchange events
This residency emphasizes both production and visibility, ensuring that the artist’s process is publicly engaged throughout the stay.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- CV with contact information
- Portfolio (max 5 pages) documenting relevant previous work
- Letter of Intent (max 500 words) including:
- Motivation for applying
- Interest in the Walmstedtska Cultural Quarter
- Proposed approach to site-specific research
- Expected outcomes or artistic direction during residency
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted via email: gijs@gijsweijer.com
Subject line: International Artist-in-Residence 2026 Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 7 June 2026
- Selection notification: 15 June 2026
- Residency period: October 12 – October 26, 2026
- Exhibition opening (Vernissage): October 24–25, 2026
- Exhibition duration: October 24 – November 8, 2026
Location
Uppsala Konstnärsklubb, Uppsala, Sweden
Additional Details
The residency emphasizes direct engagement with place, history, and community. Artists are expected to participate in:
- An introductory artist talk at the beginning of the residency
- An open studio mid-residency for public engagement
- Attendance at the exhibition opening weekend (vernissage)
The Walmstedtska Cultural Quarter provides a unique environment where historical academic life intersects with contemporary artistic production. The residency encourages artists to critically interpret these layered narratives rather than simply document them.
This is a pilot edition of the program, intended to evolve into a long-term international exchange platform.