Residency
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Open Call for FCINY Residency 2026
Picture by Emma Termonen.
We are inviting Finnish or Finland-based curators, visual artists, designers, and architects to submit their applications for the FCINY Residency Programs in New York for 2026.
Join us for a Q&A session on Tuesday April 22 at 16:00 EEST / 9:00 EDT to learn more about FCINY's Residency Open Call for 2026. The session will offer space for discussion and questions. Please register for the session HERE! Welcome!
The focus of the residency programs lies in networking and dialogue, developing long-term projects and partnerships, individual artistic research, and creative work. In 2026 the Design Residency includes a comprehensive mentorship program.
The programs are particularly suitable for artists and professionals who are seeking to expand their international network in the US, and who wish to take advantage of the tailored relation-building support each residency program provides. Each residency is conducted in collaboration with a local partner who will provide the artist with support and connections to local networks. Each applicant should prepare to showcase their work/research to New York’s creative community, and actively take advantage of the facilities and activities provided by the residency program.
Each residency includes housing, access to a local hosting organization, flights, and a monthly scholarship of 800 EUR.
The FCINY welcomes artists, curators, designers, and architects with diverse backgrounds and practices to apply. The programs are open for individuals and groups of up to two people (the residency apartment is a one-room studio space, and it houses two people willing to share the space). The selection is based on the motivation letter including a plan on how the applicant is intending to use the residency period in New York, and an interview with the jury. The residency program is open for all Finnish or Finland-based practitioners. Affiliations to member associations are not mandatory. We favor applications with a socially responsible stance, and encourage underrepresented groups to apply.*
APPLICATION PERIOD:
The application period is April 7th to May 11th, 2025.
The deadline for applications is Sunday, May 11, at 23:59 Finnish time (4:59 pm New York time).
The results of the selection process will be communicated to all applicants by the end of June.
A. FCINY CURATORIAL RESIDENCY
DURATION:
January–March 2026 (3 months)
PARTNERING INSTITUTION:
Pioneer Works
The curatorial residency is tailored for a professional curator seeking time for curatorial research and networking in New York. The selected resident has at least two years of proven experience in professional curatorial practice, and they are excited to create contacts with local artists, curators, and other practitioners. In 2026, the residency will be organized in collaboration with our residency partner Pioneer Works. The curator will have access to a desk space at Pioneer Works during the residency, and they'll be part of the community of artists, scientists, and other art professionals visiting and working on site at the center.
Pioneer Works is an artist and scientist-led nonprofit cultural center in Red Hook, Brooklyn that fosters innovative thinking through the visual and performing arts, technology, music, and science. Pioneer Works provides visual and performing artists, musicians, scientists, technologists, community organizers, and educators, the resources and platform they need to expand their practices. Pioneer Works has three floors of interconnected studio, performance, exhibition, and multipurpose spaces, which cultivate collaborations past the boundaries of traditional institutions by placing makers and thinkers in proximity to each other. The center supports onsite production through science, design, recording, and ceramics studios; media, virtual environment, and technology labs; darkroom; and garden. Multi-disciplinary programs, exhibitions, residencies, and performances are presented to the public, of which the majority are free.
CURATORIAL RESIDENCY APPLICATION FORM:
https://us-fininst.gruppo.fi/online-applications/index.php/855567/lang-en
B. FCINY RESIDENCY FOR VISUAL ARTISTS
DURATION:
April–June 2026 (3 months)
PARTNERING INSTITUTION:
Pioneer Works
The residency offers an artist the opportunity to focus on a chosen project, while enjoying the wide networking possibilities and a community offered by the residency partner. In 2026, the residency will be carried out with our partner, Pioneer Works. The residency includes a studio space at the center. Pioneer Works is an artist and scientist-led nonprofit cultural center in Red Hook, Brooklyn that fosters innovative thinking through the visual and performing arts, technology, music, and science.
Pioneer Works provides visual and performing artists, musicians, scientists, technologists, community organizers, and educators the resources and platform they need to expand their practices. Pioneer Works has three floors of interconnected studio, performance, exhibition, and multipurpose spaces, which cultivate collaborations past the boundaries of traditional institutions by placing makers and thinkers in proximity to each other. The center supports onsite production through science, design, recording, and ceramics studios; media, virtual environment, and technology labs; darkroom; and garden. Multi-disciplinary programs, exhibitions, residencies, and performances are presented to the public, of which the majority are free.
RESIDENCY FOR VISUAL ARTISTS APPLICATION FORM:
https://us-fininst.gruppo.fi/online-applications/index.php/921473/lang-en
C. FCINY DESIGN RESIDENCY
DURATION:
July–September 2026 (3 months)
PARTNERING ORGANIZATION:
In 2026, the FCINY offers one three-month residency for designers. The design residency is tailored for a designer seeking time for research and learning, community-building, and developing networks in New York. The residence is hosted by 3pts.
The primary objective of the residency is to provide the designer with a setting for research, learning from the US industry, and developing networks. Based on the application and proposal for the residency, 3pts will provide a comprehensive mentorship program including a virtual kickoff session, bi-weekly coaching, ongoing email support, and access to their network of creative professionals. The resident will receive personalized guidance, new business perspectives, clear action steps, accountability, and connections to fellow entrepreneurs.
3pts is a platform that helps artists and makers navigate the business side of creativity to build sustainable businesses. They provide guidance, resources, and community through business services, storytelling, workshops, and networking opportunities. Founded by Kim Robinson, who brings 15+ years of leadership experience in media and CPG brands, 3pts provides creative entrepreneurs with the confidence, clarity, and direction needed to develop their businesses at the intersection of creativity and commerce.
DESIGN RESIDENCY APPLICATION FORM:
https://us-fininst.gruppo.fi/online-applications/index.php/747994/lang-en
D. FCINY ARCHITECTURE RESIDENCY
DURATION:
October–December 2026 (3 months)
PARTNERING INSTITUTION:
The FCINY offers one three-month residency for architects in October–December 2026 (October and November are hosted by Cooper Union, in December the resident will work independently)
The FCINY´s and The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture´s Visiting Scholars Programme is an opportunity for experienced scholars to visit the The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture for a period of three months. Visiting Scholars are expected to interact and form networks with The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture staff and students, to plan or conduct research, publications and/or development projects, and to participate actively in the academic life and programming activities of the School of Architecture. The chosen scholars will have access to the School of Architecture premises, networks, and library (with workstations).
ARCHITECTURE RESIDENCY APPLICATION FORM:
https://us-fininst.gruppo.fi/online-applications/index.php/572714/lang-en
APPLICATIONS ↓
All applications should be sent via the online application form which is available during the application period at www.fciny.org. The application form and all supporting material, including CVs, must be submitted in English. Late applications will not be accepted.
The applicant must present a project plan for the residency. A resume and a maximum of 3 selected works should be attached to the application. Applicants should submit along with the application a short motivation letter and a description of the specific aims they have set for their residency in New York. All attachments should be merged into one document and submitted as PDF.
SELECTION PROCEDURE ↓
Each residency program has its own jury. A pre-selection of eligible applications will be made by the jury, and the partnering organization will make the final decision on the selected applicants based on an online interview. The results of the selection process are communicated to all applicants by the end of June
CURATORIAL RESIDENCY JURY
Elina Suoyrjö, Director of Programs, FCINY
Gabriel Florenz, Founding Artistic Director, Pioneer Works
Katri Naukkarinen, Artist, FCINY Board Member
Meghana Karnik, Curator & Exhibitions Director, Flux Factory
ARTIST RESIDENCY JURY
Elina Suoyrjö, Director of Programs, FCINY
Gabriel Florenz, Founding Artistic Director, Pioneer Works
Katri Naukkarinen, Artist, FCINY Board Member
Meghana Karnik, Curator & Exhibitions Director, Flux Factory
DESIGN RESIDENCY JURY
Elina Helenius, Designer, FCINY Board Member
Kati Laakso, Executive Director, FCINY
Kim Robinson, Founder of 3pts
ARCHITECTURE RESIDENCY JURY
Kati Laakso, Executive Director, FCINY
Mokena Makeka, Special Advisor to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, Cooper Union
Nina Väistö, Architect, FCINY Board Member
SELECTION CRITERIA ↓
The Finnish Cultural Institute in New York welcomes architects, artists, curators, and designers with a wide range of backgrounds and diverse practices. The selection is based on the project plan, the motivation letter, and an interview with the jury.
Other criteria that will be taken into account when assessing any proposal:
– The applicant should either be Finnish or based in Finland at the time of applying for the residency
– Applicants should be reasonably fluent in English (spoken and written)
– Applicants should have at least 2–3 years of proven professional practice or have completed a university-level degree in a relevant field of study
– The willingness to present one’s practice to other professionals and audiences in New York and to participate in small-scale public events is considered essential
– The ambition to connect and develop collaboration with US-based organisations or other professional actors in the resident’s field of work
Please note that the values of the FCINY are at the core of how we operate:
RESPONSIBILITY: ethical and sustainable wellbeing of the planet and our societies
EQUITY: intersectional, inclusive, anti-racist principles
OPENNESS: curiosity, focus on timely phenomena.
We strive for interdisciplinarity, embracing collaborations and encounters between diverse fields, cultures, and points of view.
HOUSING ↓
The FCINY residency apartment is located in Hamilton Heights’ Sugar Hill in North Harlem. The apartment comes with bed linens and towels, basic kitchenware, wireless internet connection, and air conditioning. The studio apartment is suitable for research and computer-based artistic work.
The residency apartment is a one-room studio space, and it houses two people willing to share the open studio space. Please note that there is no separate bedroom in the apartment, and there is only limited space to divide the two single beds.
The selected artists are granted full usage of the residency apartment during their stay. The purpose of the residency cannot be altered and the residency period cannot be handed over to another person. In the case that the Institute’s lease for the residency apartments would be terminated or some other force majeure situation emerges, the Institute reserves the right to changes in the residency program. A written agreement will be made with each selected artist-in-residence, specifying the conditions of the residency.
ACCOMPANYING GUESTS ↓
The residency apartment is a one-room studio space, and it houses two people willing to share the open studio space. The apartment has limited capacity to house accompanying children. It is meant for accommodation of the artists-in-residence. In case of accompanying guests or visitors, the artist-in-residence must notify the Institute in writing in advance. The artist-in-residence is responsible for any guests.
COMPENSATION ↓
The Finnish Cultural Institute’s own residency program is subsidized but not fully funded. The residency comes with a furnished apartment and the Institute will cover one return flight (max amount 1000 USD) for each selected resident. In addition, the Institute provides the resident(s) with a monthly grant of 800 euros. The artists are in charge of any material costs and their living expenses in New York.
In case of groups of two people applying for a residency together, you are welcome to submit only one application. The application should include both applicants' names and references.
TRAVELS/VISA/INSURANCE ↓
The artist is responsible for making their own travel arrangements. The Institute covers a one-time return flight to the chosen resident artist(s) to a maximum amount of 1000 USD. 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 their own sufficient health and travel insurance coverage for the entire duration of the residency.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ↓
For questions about the application process, please contact our Administrative Director in Helsinki: Annu Webb, webb[at]fciny.org.
Complete the online application form for:
A) FCINY Curatorial Residency 2026:
https://us-fininst.gruppo.fi/online-applications/index.php/855567/lang-en
B) FCINY Residency for Visual Artists 2026:
https://us-fininst.gruppo.fi/online-applications/index.php/921473/lang-en
C) FCINY Design Residencies 2026:
https://us-fininst.gruppo.fi/online-applications/index.php/747994/lang-en
D) FCINY Architecture Residencies 2026:
https://us-fininst.gruppo.fi/online-applications/index.php/572714/lang-en
*Please consult the Travel Safety Release by The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (in Finnish and Swedish only) outlining the current and long term security situation in the US as well as The Ministry’s recommendations concerning immigration and travel to the country. This information is intended to support the traveller's own decision making.