About the Open Call

Established in 2022, Taiteilijatalo Taideniitty (Artists' House Taideniitty) is located in an idyllic wooden house district in Old Varkaus and serves as an experiential meeting place for artists and visitors. The former workers' house, which is over 100 years old, has been transformed into a small artists' house and cultural center. We organize art exhibitions, courses, and cultural events. Bright and cozy residences with one, two, or three rooms, as well as the inspiring and natural surroundings of Old Varkaus, provide space for creativity. Our focus is on graphic art and other visual arts, but artists from all fields are welcome, along with their families and/or pets. The Aurinko, Maa, and Niitty residences offer an atmospheric setting for working in the historic heart of Old Varkaus. These residences are approximately 52 m2 in size and each has a combined living room/bedroom, a large fully equipped kitchen, a private toilet and shower, and free Wi-Fi. Our beautiful courtyard is a shared area where you can sit in the evening and barbecue. The boat harbor on the shore of Lake Saimaa is only a few hundred meters away, and all basic services are within a kilometer. The cozy and bright spaces of the Kollektiivi shared studio enable a wide range of artistic activities. The approximately 50 m2 studio is equipped with a graphic press and basic supplies: a manual intaglio press (Halepress M80) 80X140, with an acid bath for ferric chloride, using only non-toxic methods. We also offer a family residence, Taika, approximately 75 m2 with 2 living/bedrooms and large kitchen, 2 TVs + Chromecast, play corner for children, toys, games, books and videos, fully equipped kitchen, dishwasher, musical instruments (accordion, piano, guitar, drums, harmonica), 4 beds, free WiFi, laundry and sauna facilities. We can help with childcare arrangements. Taideniitty is located in a safe environment. The building is not accessible.

What is Offered

Accommodation (1-3 rooms), free WI-FI, basic kitchen equipment, parking, city bicycle (spring/autumn), use of collective studio 'Collective' (with graphics press and supplies), private one-hour sauna shift per week, laundry and ironing facilities, possibility to change linen/towels. Family residence 'Taika' offers larger space, children's play corner, toys, games, books, videos, dishwasher, musical instruments, and help with childcare arrangements.

Requirements

Self-financed residence. Artists from all fields are welcome, along with their families and/or pets. The building is not accessible.

How to Apply

Apply for residency through the application form: https://www.taideniitty.fi/en/hakulomake. The application is continuous for periods 1.8.2025 - 30.4.2026 and 1.8.2026 - 30.4.2027. Contact Annikka Heikura for residency matters.