NARVA ART RESIDENCY’S OPEN CALL FOR 2026

About the Open Call

The international artist-in-residence program in the North-Eastern border of Estonia is open for artists and creatives operating across all arts – visual arts, music, performance, architecture, design, film, literature, and curatorial practices etc. The program aims to generate creative exchange between practitioners as well as strengthen ties with the local context. Artists are invited to make interactive, socially engaged, and/or community-based work that is relevant also to the locals of Narva. It is best if the engagement is already intertwined into the process of artmaking itself. Focus for 2026: In past years, artists-in-residence have often organised public activities such as workshops or walks. In the coming year, however, the emphasis will shift toward working with more specific communities. We encourage applicants to include in their proposals a plan to collaborate with a clearly defined group or collective in Narva or the surrounding region. For example, in 2022, German artist and designer Leah Schultze created games for people with dementia and carried out her fieldwork with clients of a Narva care home. In 2023, Maksym Kozlov developed a floating installation of a Viking ship in collaboration with the local youth sailing club. Finnish sound artist Jaakko Autio worked with three local choirs, while Portuguese artist Filippa Pontes interviewed and sketched local residents as they shared their personal migration stories. About NART: Narva Art Residency is a unique cultural space that operates thanks to a collaboration between the Estonian Academy of Arts, Narva Gate, and the Estonian Ministry of Culture. NART initiates and facilitates residencies, art exhibitions, public events of many kinds, and hosts educational activitites. It is a vibrant centre which welcomes a multitude of visitors and guests and has become close with the Narva community. The creative centre also goes beyond its walls with the projects like Kreenholm garden and the Narva Venice Embassy experiment. The residency is located on the Estonian-Russian border city of Narva which gives it a specific and special geopolitical situation. NART is in the historic Kreenholm area which came about when a textile manufacturing company was founded in the mid-19th century. It was once the largest of its kind in Europe and Russia. Now it stands vacant but has become a source of inspiration for artists and a space allowing experiments. NART is housed in a historic villa, which was once home to the director of the factory. Residency format, expectations, facilities and opportunities: NART aspires to be an open institution in various ways and also opens up the residents’ work. Some residents are invited to give a lecture and a seminar for students of the Estonian Academy of Arts. We encourage the residents to leave a version of their work at the Narva Art Residency building or surroundings. The building is an open space and a vibrant community where one can pop into exhibitions guests, groups that come for house tours, seminars that use the halls, art academy students who come for workshops, participants of our public events etc. NART has several collaborations and projects that are planned for 2026 such as the residencies funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation and residencies hosted in collaboration with Estonian Children’s Literature Centre. For those, artists are selected through separate calls. This open call is for finding artists for the main programme. The residency offers free private accommodation, common working spaces, a shared kitchen and shared washing facilities, and access to the Kreenholm factory. Residents get help to reach out to communities for creating meaningful connections. In warmer months, it is possible to use the residency’s bicycles and a small boat. Residents have the possibility to propose exhibitions or events for NART gallery spaces. The expectation is that the artist works with enthusiasm on their project during the majority of their residency. We hope that this supportive environment will foster creativity, experimentation and the development of ideas. NART main programme residencies last between 1.5 to 2 months. Both single artists and artistic duos are welcome. Applicants can be from any country around the world, including Estonia. The selection is done by an invited jury. NB! NART building will have several renovation works planned for 2026. The exact times are not yet known but it is likely that the residency activities will be affected. We ask our applicants to be aware that there might be changes in the schedule and/or some artists will need to change facilities during their residency if it overlaps with the renovation works. The selected artists are asked to sign a contract and pay the advance payment of 300€ to secure the place. The payment will be returned to them within 30 days after the residency, or in case the residency is cancelled earlier than 3 months before the starting date. The prepayment is not returned only in the case of late cancellation or if the equipment or facilities have been damaged during the residency. The residencies do not involve financial obligations or support. Production and other expenses need to be provided by the artists. NART gives a letter of confirmation for artists who apply for outsourced funds. The residency results will be communicated first to the selected applicants in November, or at the latest in early December. Around the same time, the residency schedule will be coordinated with the participants and announced publicly by the end of the year.

What is Offered

Free private accommodation, common working spaces, a shared kitchen and shared washing facilities, access to the Kreenholm factory. Residents receive help to reach out to communities and organize events. Use of residency's bicycles and a small boat in warmer months. Possibility to propose exhibitions or events for NART gallery spaces. Residencies are 1.5 – 2 months long. A vibrant centre with many activities.

Requirements

Artists from all fields and all parts of the world, including Estonia. Single artists or artistic duos. Artists making interactive, socially engaged, and/or community-based work, who seek to engage a clearly defined group. Applications must be filled in English.

How to Apply

For applying, please fill out the designated application form which can be downloaded here: https://www.nart.ee/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/applicant-name-here-NART-OPEN-CALL-2026.docx The completed form should be uploaded here: https://forms.gle/if2ZyUSLuxzUK8on8 We only accept applications that follow these instructions. We do not accept applications that are sent via email. The application should be filled in English.