Creative Retreat & Artist Residency: Art, Mind, Science Open Call

About the Open Call

We’re opening applications for the first annual Arctic Canvas Open Call. Arctic Canvas is an independent, artist-run creative retreat and residency on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland — a place where glacier, ocean, and lava fields meet. This two-week residency is for writers, visual artists, performers, botanical & environmental artists, and interdisciplinary creatives whose work connects with nature. Key Dates: Applications open: 1 October 2025 for newsletter subscribers, and 7 October 2025 for everyone else. Deadline: 1 November 2025. Shortlist announced: 1 December 2025. Selected Artist announced: 12 January 2026. Residency dates: 13–27 March 2026 (fixed, not flexible). Who Can Apply: Writers, Visual artists (painting, illustration, photography, textiles, sculpture, design), Performing artists (dance, music, performance), Botanical & environmental artists, Interdisciplinary & experimental projects - including those blending art and science. What's Included: We cover: Two weeks in our live/work studio. You cover: Travel (flights and car if coming from abroad), Food & personal expenses, Materials and tools (if needed). How to Apply: Email hello@arctic-canvas.com with subject line: Open Call Application – [Your Name]. Written answers to the questions (max. 500–600 words) and supporting material (mood board, images, sketches, short video or audio piece, previous project documentation, links preferred or one PDF max 10 MB). Application Questions: 1. A short intro to you and your work/practice. 2. Project you’d like to work on during your residency. 3. Connection to Iceland. 4. Goals for your residency. 5. Links to your work. 6. Confirmation of having read and agreed with “Must-Know Before You Apply” points. Opportunities: We may offer: Sharing your work through a talk, interview, or press coverage; Connecting with an Icelandic gallery or venue; Featuring work in a future Arctic Canvas book or group exhibition. These are subject to project nature, venue availability, and alignment. Selection Process: Artists whose work is in dialogue with the place are selected. A shortlist is created with curator Pontus Silfverstolpe and the final artist is selected with the help of the Instagram community through a poll. Must-Know Before You Apply: Selected artists must: Confirm understanding of costs (travel, materials, food, personal expenses); Understand a car is essential; Arrange own travel/materials; Take all artworks with them; Agree to fixed dates; Share experience via social media (min 3 posts) and review; Follow Arctic Canvas on Instagram. Optional: Bring one guest (studio has one double bed). Any stage of your process is welcome. Terms & Conditions: Eligibility: Applicants must be 25+ years old. Responsibility: Travel, health, and accident insurance are the responsibility of the artist. Arctic Canvas is not liable for personal injury, loss, or damage. Weather & Travel Delays: Artist is responsible for additional costs due to unpredictable Icelandic weather. Intellectual Property: Artists retain full copyright, granting Arctic Canvas rights to share images for non-commercial PR/documentation/promotion with credit. Selection: The selection process is final. No individual feedback. Application Limit: Max 100 applications reviewed; applications close if limit reached before deadline. No Cash Alternative.

What is Offered

Two weeks in a live/work studio. Potential opportunities include sharing work through a talk, interview, or press coverage; connecting with an Icelandic gallery or venue for a future show or event; or featuring work in a future Arctic Canvas book or group exhibition.

Requirements

Applicants must be 25+ years old. Must confirm understanding of costs (including travel, car rental, fuel, materials, shipping of artworks, food (self-catering), and personal expenses). Must understand a car is essential. Must arrange own travel (flights and car rental). Must bring own materials and tools (if needed). Must take all artworks with them at the end of the residency. Must agree to the fixed dates (13–27 March 2026). Must share experience via social media (min 3 posts) and write a short review for the website afterwards. Must follow Arctic Canvas on Instagram.

How to Apply

Email hello@arctic-canvas.com with subject line: Open Call Application – [Your Name]. Include written answers to specific questions in a total of max. 500–600 words (approx. 1 A4 page) and supporting material (mood board, images, sketches, short video or audio piece, previous project documentation, or anything that helps us feel the atmosphere or intention of your project). Links are preferred. If links aren’t possible, please send one PDF (max 10 MB) with images and information combined.