The Narva Art Residency (NART), in cooperation with theNarva City Architecture and Urban Planning Department, is organizing a third competition to create a new large-scale installation or sculpture. This time, the location will be outside the city center, on the edge of the Pähklimäe district. The object is expected to enrich public space with spatial and artistic value, with a particular focus on the use of light.
The selected artist will be hosted by NART in Narva for two months (August 10, 2026 – October 9, 2026), providing an opportunity to be directly involved in the installation’s creation and to exchange knowledge and experiences with local residents. The selected artist will receive a creative grant of € 3000, and production costs of at least € 11 000 will be covered. Transport is refunded up to € 1000. The application deadline is May 15, 2026.
The installation-sculpture is not merely a temporary artwork, but a long-term addition to the urban space, shaping the cityscape and the environment in which people move daily. It will be placed in a public space and visible to a wide audience.
The work is expected to incorporate light in various forms (daylight reflections and seasonal/time-based changes; lighting solutions for dark hours; illuminating objects; showcasing light through color, etc.), emphasizing the importance of light as a key component of high-quality public space and design.
Who are we looking for?
Artists, architects, and other creative practitioners from Estonia and abroad are welcome to apply. The selected artist is expected to take a hands-on approach and manage the process from the initial sketch to the finished work. The grant is awarded to a single person. An artistic duo may also apply for the residency, provided they share the same room.
How to apply?
The application must include a proposal for a site-specific installation or sculpture, including drawings, site plan, and description of the materials and tools to be used. It must also include a production schedule and a budget that is as detailed as possible.
Deadline: May 15, 2026, at 23:59
Application must be submitted on: https://forms.gle/bmebbHTzP5VueV7VA
Application includes:
- Applicant(s) information (name, country, age, contact details)
- CV(s) and short biography
- Short portfolio (max. 5 relevant projects)
- Description of concept and form (up to 800 words)
- Drawings of the installation concept design, including at least a plan, three views, and a site layout showing the location.
- A cost estimate for the installation’s production. The budget limit is € 11 000, but the author may secure additional sponsors or supporters. The budget must also indicate whether the author will prepare the construction project themselves or if a service provider will be involved.
- Production timeline
Applications must be submitted in Estonian or English.
Conditions
The installation must be created from resistant materials to ensure a minimum lifespan of 5 years. By the end of the residency, the work must be completed, installed at the designated location, and the lighting solutions tested. The installation-sculpture project must be coordinated with the Narva City Government’s Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, and, if necessary, a building permit must be submitted before the installation is placed.
The installation must be equally attractive during both day and night. It should function with and without lighting solutions. Electricity is available via the street lighting system (meaning electricity is available during dark hours), but artists may also use small solar-powered solutions for additional effects.
The jury may suggest adjustments to the location, design, or technical aspects of the selected proposal.
The project must follow principles of high-quality space and/or inclusive design. These include functionality, aesthetics, contextual awareness, diversity, social connection, environmental sustainability, economic value, and a well-managed design process (also known as the Davos quality criteria). Inclusive design principles include respect, safety, health, usability, clarity, and beauty.
Location
The site is outside the city center, in Narva’s largest residential area, Pähklimäe, along Kangelaste street—an important spatial axis where urban space transitions into a natural environment.
This area has often been outside the focus of cultural and public space development, with little to no contemporary artistic interventions so far. The chosen location is a deliberate step toward balanced urban development, bringing high-quality public space to the city’s periphery.
The planned large-scale installation, with light as a key component, will create a new landmark and orientation point. The lighting will enhance visual appeal, safety, and recognizability, contributing to a stronger spatial identity for the district.
The location has high visibility and potential, and the project carries the responsibility to create an accessible, inclusive, and sustainable public space. The installation is not just an artwork but a spatial intervention that activates and connects the area, supporting Narva’s diverse and balanced development.
The exact location of the installation:
Timeline
- April–May 2025 – Open call runs from April 10 to May 15; results announced by the end of May
- June–July 2025 – Installation preparation work, design finalisation, drawings, and permit applications will take place in two months. Building planning, communication with building suppliers and the city government, planning workshops, etc.
- August–October 2025 – Residency (Aug 10 start, 2 months), construction and opening event
Jury
The jury includes representatives from ALPA (Narva City Architecture and Urban Planning Department) and NART (Narva Art Residency), as well as experts in architecture and art. Proposals are evaluated based on artistic quality, technical feasibility, and suitability for Narva’s urban space.
The local community is also involved: before the final decision, feedback will be gathered from at least 10 Narva residents, including artists, teachers, and professionals from other fields.
Budget and Support
€11 000 is allocated for production, with possible additional sponsorship. Funding is provided by the City of Narva, the Estonian Cultural Endowment, and the Ministry of Culture.
The artist must cover all production-related costs (materials, construction, drawings, transport, services, installation, labor, etc.) within the budget.
A detailed technical project and site plan must be prepared for permits. If the author does not own such skills, architectural design support can be included either by the author involving a specialist in his or her team, or allocating production budget for design services.
A monument, sculpture, memorial, fountain, or similar structure over 5 meters in height and intended for public use requires a building permit and must be designed by a qualified designer/architect and supported by a compliant construction project, in accordance to the Estonian Building Regulations. An installation or sculpture under 5 meters in height requires just a construction project and approval from ALPA.
Travel costs for the artist are covered up to 1000€.
The Narva Art Residency has a rather limited selection of tools, and artists must procure or rent any other materials needed to create their installations; this should be included in the production budget.
The Narva Art Residency team supports artists visiting Narva in the installation creation process, but only to a reasonable extent, such as by helping them establish contact with local institutions.
The Narva City Government’s Department of Architecture and Urban Planning may, if necessary, advise the authors of the winning entry on urban planning and engineering issues, provide feedback on drawings, and assist with other matters related to the technical execution of the installation. The Department will also assist with the preparation and processing of necessary permit applications.
Larger spaces for creating the installation can be found in the immediate surroundings, but it can also be created outdoors within the NART property. Alternatively, it is possible to find local partners to use alternative spaces, workshops, or tools. NART can offer assistance in finding such partners.
Organizer: Narva Art Residency
Questions: residentuur@artun.ee