The Narva Art Residency announces an open call for the Finno-Ugric creative residency, which will take place in the last months of 2025. We are looking for applications from both Estonian and international artists and creative people from various fields, including visual art, music, theater and performance. The residency comes with a creative scholarship.
In 2025, the city of Narva will officially be the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture. This year’s extensive program will feature many events dedicated to Finno-Ugric peoples, which will help preserve these cultures and keep them in the consciousness of both the people of Narva and others. The selected artist is expected to create a work inspired by Finno-Ugric cultures, which will enrich the program of the Capital of Culture.
Art is a powerful tool for creating dialogues and strengthening cultural identity. It is important to highlight and introduce the cultures of small peoples whose identities have been threatened by Russian actions. Many Finno-Ugric people living abroad are losing touch with their identity, and therefore further identification and discovery are particularly important.
We expect from the artist-in-residence a unique contemporary art project that introduces Finno-Ugric culture in a new and engaging form; a willingness to involve the local community and introduce and present their work at a public event; and participation in the residency during the specified period from October 16 to December 8. We offer the resident free accommodation and workspace at the Narva Art Residency, support in implementing the project and communicating with the local community. The selected applicant will receive an 800€ creative scholarship, 700€ for production costs and 200€ to cover travel expenses.
To apply, please fill out the form, including a description of the work to be completed during the residency. The completed application form should be sent to residentuur@artun.ee no later than August 10, 2025. The selected artist will be announced no later than August 25, 2025.
The form:
The residency is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, and the cooperation partners are the Finnish Institute and MTÜ Fenno-Ugria.
For more information, please contact the same email address residentuur@artun.ee.
Information about the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture program can be found here: https://www.narva2025.org/
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Image: Ekaterina Kuznetsova’s painting “Spring”, 2025