Application deadline for ARS BIOARCTICA residency programme the 31st of August 2018.

If you should experience technical difficulties please do not hesitate to contact Piritta Puhto

We are glad to announce an open call for our Ars Bioarctica residency program at the Kilpisjärvi Biological station of the University of Helsinki in the subarctic Lapland for the years 2019-2020.

The residency offers a unique possibility for artistic work in a biological field station and in the subarctic environment of Finland. As in the previous years, the residency is not funded.

We will select around 20 artists/artist groups to work at the station for periods from one week up to several months, the desired length of the visit should be stated in the application and it depends on the individual funding and needs of the proposed project.

Since 2009 the Bioart Society is organizing the Ars Bioarctica residency programme together with the Kilpisjärvi biological station of the University of Helsinki in the subarctic Lapland. Until now more than 100 artists, scientists, and practitioners have been developing work at the station on topics related to biology, ecology and life sciences.

The Kilpisjärvi biological station provides the residents with a combined living and working environment, a basic field laboratory, internet connection and sauna, and the same possibilities and infrastructure as its scientists and staff. This includes access to scientific equipment, laboratory facilities, the library and seminar room as well as the usage of field equipment. A dedicated mentor in Kilpisjärvi will familiarise residents with the local environment and customs.

Kilpisjärvi is situated in the area where Sámi culture has it's roots. The Sámi are the only indigenous people in the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, as well as the whole of the European Union. They inhabited the area long before any state borders were drawn. The area is called Lapland, but the Sámis themselves use the name Sápmi.

Application procedure

Apply with the online application form below and include a CV and work plan as pdf. 

Costs of Ars Bioarctica

Travel to and within Finland to Kilpisjärvi have to be covered by the applicant as well as the accommodation at the station. The Bioart society will assist with the funding process by providing a letter of invitation to the selected artists.

Travel: Depending on the season and means of transportation the costs to travel from Helsinki vary significantly from 150 EURO to 350 EURO.

Accommodation: The cost of accommodation is 13€ (double room) - 20€ (single room) / day / person, and breakfast, lunch and dinner at the canteen is approx. 37 € / day / person for the members of Bioart society and artists/researchers related to Finnish universities. For others, the accommodation is 31-43 € / day / person depending on the room and the food approx. 37 € / day / person. There is also a possibility to prepare your own food.

Evaluation:

The evaluation of the applications emphasizes the quality of the proposal, its interaction of art&science, its artistic and scientific significance, the projects relation to the thematics of Ars Bioarctica and its feasibility to be carried out at the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station in the given time. 

The selected artists will be announced by the end of September 2018.

Practical points:

When making your plans, please, take into account the local weather (more on that here: http://www.helsinki.fi/kilpis/english/Climate/weather_statistics.htm) and during the winter months the station is often rather quiet and, thus, offers possibilities to solitary work. Families are welcome to the residency.

Contact:

In case of further questions, please, contact Piritta Puhto