Organizer Information
HIAP (Helsinki International Artist Programme) is a respected Finland‑based institution that has run international artist residencies since 1998. It operates in two main locations in Helsinki — the historic island of Suomenlinna (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the Cable Factory arts complex.
HIAP’s mission is to support experimental, cross‑disciplinary art practices and to foster a vibrant international artistic community through residencies, research opportunities, and collaborative exchange.
Title & Description
Open Call for Palestinian Artists in Helsinki, Spring 2026
HIAP, together with partners (including Sumud and the municipal authorities of Ramallah), invites professional Palestinian artists — whether based in Palestine or part of the diaspora — to apply for a three‑month residency in Helsinki for Spring 2026 (13 April – 6 July 2026). The residency offers time, space, and support for artistic research and reflection, freeing artists from daily routines to focus on their practice. There is no requirement to produce new works or deliver a final exhibition, though residents may propose a project for potential exhibition at HIAP from 2027 onward. The program aims not only to provide a creative retreat but also to foster cross‑cultural dialogue and connection with the Helsinki art scene.
Categories
- Visual Art (painting, installation, mixed media, etc.)
- Interdisciplinary / Contemporary Art
- Research‑based and Experimental Art Practices
Eligibility
- Applicants must be Palestinian by nationality or of Palestinian descent.
- Applicants must currently be based in Palestine or part of the Palestinian diaspora.
- Emerging and established professional artists working in visual or interdisciplinary contemporary practices are eligible.
- HIAP explicitly encourages applications from individuals who are LGBTQIA+, disabled/neurodivergent / from low‑socioeconomic backgrounds, or other underrepresented groups — to promote inclusion and diversity.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Three‑month fully supported residency in Helsinki (13 April – 6 July 2026) at either Suomenlinna or Cable Factory.
- Accommodation (residency apartment or live/work studio) and working studio space. — For Suomenlinna: furnished 30 sqm apartment + shared workspace; For Cable Factory: 63 sqm live/work studio with kitchenette, sleeping loft and private bathroom.
- Working grant of €3,000 for the residency period.
- One return travel trip from the home country to Helsinki.
- Access to HIAP’s community facilities (shared workshop spaces, equipment rooms, communal projects), enabling a supportive, creative environment.
- Opportunity (not mandatory) to develop an exhibition proposal during residency, potentially leading to an exhibition at HIAP in 2027.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- A short biography / professional background (up to 250 words)
- A motivation statement (up to 250 words) outlining their interest in the residency
- A work plan for the residency period (up to 250 words) — what they intend to explore, research or develop during their stay.
- Portfolio or documentation of previous work (maximum 10 images or up to 3 video/audio files), provided as external link(s). Direct uploads are not available.
- Information about any access requirements (if applicable), through an optional “Access Rider” section (kept confidential, not part of jury evaluation).
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 1 January 2026
- Residency Period: 13 April – 6 July 2026
- Notification/Jury Decision: 13–16 January 2026
Location
Helsinki, Finland
Additional Details
- The open call is part of a program supported by the Ukraine Solidarity Residency Programme (USRP) in collaboration with the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture — reflecting solidarity and international artistic exchange.
- Though the residency does not require a production outcome or final artwork, applicants may propose an exhibition project for possible realisation at HIAP post‑residency.
- HIAP maintains a “Safer Spaces Policy” and Code of Conduct for residents; all participants are expected to adhere to it.
- Artists with disabilities or special access requirements are encouraged to apply; access needs will be handled confidentially.
