In October and November, nine Estonian artists working across different disciplines will arrive at schools in Narva, where they will explore and create contemporary art together with students.
The aim of Narva Art Residency’s “Artists Are Present” project is to increase access to and the presence of contemporary art in Narva. It gives young people an opportunity to practise Estonian and to find their voice and confidence through creativity. Over the course of one week, the artists work with groups of students, introducing different techniques and approaches that connect art with nature, biology, recycling, movement, utopias, and other exciting fields.
As a result of the fourth and, at the same time, penultimate open call, Riina Õun, Paulina Belik, Kaili-Angela Konno, Oliver Issak, Katrin Tani, Caroliina Ladva, Marta Konovalov, Triinu Jürves, and Kristina Norman were selected to participate in the “Artists Are Present” programme.
Each artist spends two weeks in residency in the border city and works with a student group for five to six days, leading creative activities, making sessions, experiments, and discussions. This autumn, the artists will work at Narva Kreenholm School, Narva Language Lyceum, and Narva Orthodox Gymnasium.
The new season of the programme begins on Sunday, 4 October, with a joint training programme for artists and teachers, running until 6 October. Participants will learn how to develop language skills through artistic activities and how to support learning in a conscious and creative way by analysing and developing their teaching practices. Mentoring and support will be provided by Anneli Porri from the Estonian Academy of Arts, Hanna-Liis Kont, founder of the “Creative Connection” platform, CLIL trainer Christina Lään, and Anna Golubeva, Head of the Department of Multilingual Education at the University of Tartu Narva College.
The first group of artists will begin working with students on 16 October.
Since the beginning of 2025, 18 Estonian artists have already worked in Narva schools as part of the Narva Art Residency initiative. “The artists who have taken part in the programme have always had a very positive experience, and several of them have wanted to participate again after their first experience, which unfortunately is not possible. Narva school students have also given positive feedback about the project, noting that practising Estonian together with an artist gives them confidence, new vocabulary, and the ability to recognise and analyse contemporary art. Equally important for young people is the art created through collaboration,” explains project manager and Head of Narva Art Residency Johanna Rannula.
Each participating artist will receive a €1,000 grant.
The project is supported by the Targa Tuleviku Fund.
The photo was taken during last season’s workshop by the sculptor Jevgeni Zolotko at Narva Pähklimäe School.