Open Call: Residencies in 2026 at ÖRES

About the Open Call

Our main focus is artists working in experimental fields of art (could be anything from media, video, sound, photography and bio art to poetry, dance and performance, or something else), art-science collaborations and interdisciplinary art projects. We also encourage researchers in humanistic and social sciences with an interdisciplinary approach and critical cultural, environmental and political themes to apply. Organizations in the fields of art, culture and research are also welcome to apply. The residency period is always free of charge. Please note that we are not able to cover your travel costs, materials, food or other daily expenses. We can provide letters of invitation upon request to help you apply funding. Our residency house has two apartments for the artists. One apartment can accommodate 1-4 adults or a small family comfortably. Taking along your peer, partner or family is allowed and even encouraged. The apartments function as combined studio/living spaces and are equipped with basic necessities, furniture and tools for you to use. Please note that the apartments are not suitable for large-scale sculpturing/painting or other potentially messy work methods. It is possible to arrange separate, “rough” working spaces for such work on a case-by-case basis, but these are unheated spaces and therefore only suited for warmer periods. You are free to do short visits to the mainland, though we expect you to spend the majority (3/4) of your residency period in Örö. Note that we do not expect you to realize a complete project during the residency. You may also use the residency as a catalyst for futher work or to concentrate in some vital phase in your ongoing projects. Due to the remote location of the island and the quietness of the winter months, the residency programme is often a solitary retreat. We are an artist-run organization with limited resources and operate the residency remotely. Therefore a certain do-it-yourself attitude is required. You’ll mostly be there by yourself so the solitude of the winter season might take some getting used to. That said, there’s usually a service crew taking care of the island infrastructure, along with the occasional tourists. Food and other necessities can be ordered from a shop on the mainland by the ferry or a service boat. To get an idea of living conditions on Örö, please read through the island’s official pages and see our Visitor’s Guide. We are happy to offer help and advice in practical matters and can arrange meetings, contacts and presentations. After your residency period you are required to write a short report of your experience. We may also occasionally wish to interview you. If it suits your work, you may also participate in our summer exhibition or other exhibition opportunities we might arrange. The selected applicants need to sign a residency agreement and send us a deposit of 100 euros.

What is Offered

Free 1-2 month residency periods from January to December 2026. Combined studio/living spaces provided, suitable for 1-4 adults or a small family. Basic necessities, furniture, and tools are available. Separate 'rough' working spaces may be arranged for specific projects during warmer periods. Letters of invitation for funding applications are provided. Assistance with practical matters, meetings, contacts, and presentations. Opportunity to participate in summer exhibitions or other exhibition opportunities.

Requirements

Applicants are expected to spend the majority (3/4) of their residency period in Örö. A do-it-yourself attitude is required due to the remote location and artist-run organization. Required attachments: CV and Work Plan (Individuals); CV(s) and Work Plan(s) (Workgroups); Work Plan / Project Proposal (Organizations). Portfolio is required for visual artists if not online. Attachments must be in PDF, JPG, Word, ODF, or RTF, total size not exceeding 10MB. No video files (links are acceptable). Links must be available until November 2025. Selected applicants must sign a residency agreement and pay a 100 euros deposit.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted via an online Google Form (https://forms.gle/hiAvXPGP3LF2maod6). Applicants unable to sign in with Google may use an alternative form (https://forms.gle/jKCe3iDVMtq9iFon6) and email all attachments to applications@ores.fi separately. The form requires careful consideration of time wishes, including alternative months, as rescheduling after selection is not possible. Required attachments for individuals include CV and Work Plan (+ Portfolio for visual artists, if not online). Workgroups require CV(s) and Work Plan(s) (+ Portfolio for visual artists, if not online). Organizations need a Work Plan / Project Proposal. Application materials should be in English, Finnish, or Swedish. Attachments should be in PDF, JPG, Word, ODF, or RTF format, total size not exceeding 10MB. Video links can be included in the application form and Work Plan, but video files should not be sent. Links must be available until November 2025. All applications are peer-reviewed by a jury of five artist members. Results will be published and emailed to all applicants in early November 2025. The jury cannot give feedback on individual applications. A 100 euros deposit is required from selected applicants upon signing a residency agreement.