THE FINNISH CULTURAL INSTITUTE IN NEW YORK’S ARTIST–IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM FOR 2020
The call for applications for 2020 residencies is open from April 1 to 28, 2019. The Finnish Cultural Institute’s independent residency program is open for members of SAFA, Ornamo and Artists’ Association of Finland (STS). We invite architects, designers and artists at all stages of their careers to apply for the residency.
The focus of the residency program lies on research, artistic dialogue and cultural exchange. It is especially suitable for artists and professionals who are seeking to expand their international network. The residency provides curatorial and relation building support. Biweekly curator-led tours to exhibitions will foster dialogue with fellow residents, while public presentations by the artists-in-residence will be an opportunity to introduce their research and projects to New York’s creative community.
ABOUT THE RESIDENCY
FCINY hosts two residency apartments for residency periods of 2–3 months, providing possibilities for creative work, research and professional networking. 1-month residencies can be granted as an exception, if the applicant has a specific project plan that can be executed in just one month. The Residency Manager of the Institute supports the guests before, during and after their stay.
The residency apartments are meant for accommodating the artists, and have no studio space for artistic work. The residency apartments house two people comfortably (plus visiting children). One of the apartments is a small two room apartment with a separate bath and open kitchen, and the other one a studio apartment with a separate bath and open kitchen.
The apartments are located in Manhattan, in the historic district of Sugar Hill in Harlem. The neighborhood is quiet with good subway connections to other parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Each apartment comes with bed linens and towels, basic kitchen ware, wireless internet connection and air conditioning. The apartments are suitable to comfortably accommodate the artists, but have no studio space for artistic work.
PLEASE NOTE
The selected artists are granted full usage of the residency apartment. They are meant for the accommodation of the artists-in-residence. Accommodation of any visitors must be arranged separately.
The purpose of the residency cannot be altered and the residency period cannot be handed over to another person. A written agreement will be made with each selected artist-in-residence, specifying the conditions of the residency.
RESIDENCY FEE
The residency is made possible with the support from the Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland. The residency is subsidized but not fully funded. Residency fees for the year 2020 for each artist-in-residence are as follows: 500 USD/person for 1 month, 700 USD/person for 2 months and 900 USD/person for 3 months. The same fees apply for accompanying co-artist / partner / family member. The residency artists are responsible for their own travel expenses and arrangements. The selected participants are encouraged to apply for additional funding to make the most of their residency period in New York.
VISA/INSURANCE
For Finnish citizens, there is no need for a visa for visits under 90 days to the US, but a valid ESTA is required. The artists-in-residence must have sufficient health and travel insurance coverage for the entire duration of the residency.
Designer Laura Väinölä and film maker/composer Ezra Gould stayed in New York as FCINY’s artists-in-residence from May to June 2018. During their two-month residency they tripped around New York State, and created TRIP as a site specific installation. Photo by FCINY.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING
The open call for applications for 2020 residencies runs from April 1 to 28, 2019. To apply, candidates need to submit the online application.
The applicant must present a detailed project plan for the residency. Projects should be connected to New York, or benefit from being situated in the city. Diversity of the field of Finnish art and design is recognized in the selection process, and opportunities are also given to those who are in the early stages of their career.
A CV and a portfolio of maximum of 3 selected works should be included in the application. Artist collectives should fill out a joint application and attach the CVs of all members of the collective and either joint or separate portfolios.
The application form and all supporting material, including CVs for the residency must be submitted in English. All attachments should be merged into one document and submitted as PDF. Attachments should be titled with the applicant’s surname.
The deadline for applications is Sunday, April 28th, 2019 at 23:59 Finnish time (4:59 pm New York time). Late applications will not be accepted.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
The board of the Foundation for the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York together with the staff of the Institute will review all eligible applications. All applicants will be notified about the selection during the month of June.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Questions about the residency and New York City can be addressed to the Artist-in-Residence Program Manager: Susanne Boswell, boswell[at]fciny.org (in English)
With questions about the application process, please contact our Administrative Director in Helsinki: Eeva Talvitie, talvitie[at]fciny.org, phone +358 50 3812437 (Mon.–Fri. 10am–12pm)
Please also check our frequently asked questions.
APPLY
Fill in the online application form here.