Opening Doors — Nordic/Baltic Artist Residency in Oslo

Name: Opening Doors — Nordic/Baltic Artist Residency in Oslo
Start: 2026/05/04
End: 2026/06/17
Location: Norway

Organizer Information

PRAKSIS is a not-for-profit centre for art, research, and learning based in Oslo, Norway. Established in 2015, it operates as a platform for interdisciplinary exchange between artists, researchers, institutions, and the public through residencies, public programs, workshops, publications, and collaborative research formats. PRAKSIS is known for developing critical, socially engaged projects that investigate how cultural institutions function and evolve in response to contemporary social and political conditions.

The Opening Doors: Youth Evidence for Cultural Access initiative is a transnational program developed by PRAKSIS in collaboration with Index (Stockholm) and PUBLICS (Helsinki), supported by Nordic Culture Point and co-funded by the European Union via the Erasmus+ Youth programme. The 2026 residency is part of PRAKSIS’s 10-year anniversary program, focusing on institutional reflection, access, and intergenerational dialogue.

Title & Description

Opening Doors: Nordic/Baltic Artist Residency in Oslo 2026 – PRAKSIS Oslo

The Opening Doors: Nordic/Baltic Artist Residency 2026 is a three-month Residency program hosted by PRAKSIS in Oslo, running from 16 September to 16 December 2026. The program invites two professional artists or cultural practitioners from Nordic and Baltic countries (excluding Norway) to develop research-based and socially engaged practices focused on institutional critique, cultural access, and youth engagement.

The residency explores how cultural institutions communicate with audiences, who is included or excluded, and how access to cultural spaces can be improved through language, curatorial structures, and participatory methodologies. A central component is collaboration with the PRAKSIS Teen Advisory Board (PTAB), a youth-led group researching accessibility, communication, and institutional change.

Residents will participate in workshops, dialogues, and collaborative formats with young people and are also invited to contribute to the Nordic Youth Conference 2026, a cross-institutional event developed with Index Stockholm and PUBLICS Helsinki. The residency encourages experimental, research-based, and interdisciplinary approaches that bridge artistic practice with public engagement and institutional reflection.

Eligibility

Professional artists and cultural practitioners only
Applicants must be based in Nordic/Baltic countries excluding Norway (Denmark, Finland, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Sweden, Åland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)
Open to interdisciplinary and cross-sector practices
No requirement to already work with youth, but applicants must demonstrate interest in cultural access, learning, or public engagement
Suitable for mid-career and established practitioners, as well as emerging professionals with strong portfolios
English fluency is required for participation in group discussions and activities

Program Benefits & Awards

Three-month Residency in Oslo (Sept–Dec 2026)
Accommodation in central Oslo
Shared studio space at PRAKSIS
Monthly fee of €1,600 (total €4,800)
€350 travel contribution
€400 production/materials allowance
Total financial support: €5,550 per artist
Access to studio, event space, kitchen, and technical equipment
Curatorial and production support from PRAKSIS team
Introduction to local artists, institutions, and youth facilitators
Participation in Nordic Youth Conference 2026
Opportunities for public presentations, workshops, and research dissemination

Application Fee

None

Application Requirements

Statement of interest (max 500 words)
Initial research proposal/area of enquiry (max 500 words)
Short biography (max 200 words)
Portfolio or documentation (up to 6 pages or 6 links)
Completed application form via official portal

How to Apply?

Online Application

Key Dates

Application Deadline: 17 June 2026
Residency Period: 16 September – 16 December 2026
Notification: End of June 2026
Nordic Youth Conference: October 2026 (during residency period)

Location

Oslo, Norway

Additional Details

Residency focuses on institutional critique, cultural access, and youth engagement
Includes collaboration with PRAKSIS Teen Advisory Board (PTAB)
Residents may develop workshops, research interventions, or public outputs
Emphasis on intergenerational exchange and participatory methodologies
Not a production-heavy residency; best suited for research, dialogue, and small-scale public outcomes
Space is not fully wheelchair accessible, though alternative arrangements may be considered
Residents must commit to full participation and presence in Oslo
Strong emphasis on ethical, consent-based engagement with young participants
Opportunity to contribute to transnational youth-led cultural research through the Opening Doors project