The Helsinki International Artist Programme (HIAP) is accepting applications for the Learning Materials creative residency in Finland. Selected residents receive complimentary living accommodations, dedicated studio space, travel reimbursement, and a monthly subsistence grant of €1,350 (€4,050 total for the 90-day cycle).
The open call welcomes artists and creative practitioners residing outside Finland. Artists and cultural practitioners from Kazakhstan are eligible. The submission deadline is October 26, 2026, at 18:00 Astana time.
Curatorial Focus of Learning Materials
Learning Materials explores artistic materiality, environmental systems, and ecological engagement. The curatorial committee seeks creators with verified portfolios demonstrating prior creative research in these domains.
Applicants should anchor proposals around existing portfolios, articulating specific research questions to investigate in Helsinki. The residency emphasizes depth over speculative experimentation.
For Kazakhstani creators, this residency complements insights from RAEM’s deep-dive on Kazakhstan’s creative economy, illustrating international funding avenues for autonomous practices.
Residency Amenities and Suomenlinna Island Location
In addition to the monthly stipend, HIAP provides up to €750 in materials production subsidies. An accessibility fund of up to €1,000 supports participants with disabilities. Visa application assistance and fee stipends are provided, though visa issuance remains subject to consular discretion.
The studios are located on the fortress island of Suomenlinna, a 15-minute public ferry crossing from central Helsinki. Residents gain access to shared fabrication facilities. There is no statutory obligation to produce a finished exhibition piece.
Two terms are slated for 2027:
- Spring Term: April 12 – July 11, 2027;
- Autumn Term: August 16 – November 14, 2027.
Residency duration is 90 consecutive days.
Application Guidelines
Applications must be submitted in English, including:
- Curriculum Vitae / Artist Bio: up to 250 words;
- Statement of Motivation: up to 250 words;
- Project / Research Plan: up to 250 words;
- Digital Portfolio: maximum 10 pages accessible via open web link.
Audio or video recordings are accepted in lieu of written statements (two minutes maximum per text section, five minutes for video portfolios). File links must open without password walls.
Submissions must be filed via the official HIAP application portal. E-mail submissions are rejected. Shortlisted video interviews take place on December 9, 2026.
Official HIAP Open Call · Program Profile in the RAEM Grants Directory
