Application form
Deadline for applications in 2nd of June 2023.
We are happy to announce our yearly open call for the Ars Bioarctica residency programme at the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station for 2023–2024.
The emphasis of the Ars Bioarctica residency programme is on the sub-Arctic environment and art & science collaborations. Previous Ars Bioarctica fellows have spent their residencies, for example, researching snow, darkness, bacteria and lichen, working on projects varying from screenwriting to photography and from filmmaking to soundscape and dance. We welcome applications from artists, scientists and interdisciplinary research teams from all over the world, in all stages of their careers. We hope to receive applications from people of all backgrounds.
This opportunity is not financially supported. We do provide support in the form of a local mentor and invitation letter. The Biological Station offers the residents the same possibilities and infrastructure as its scientists and staff: a combined living and working environment, an internet connection, a sauna, access to scientific equipment, laboratory facilities, the library, and a seminar room as well as the usage of field equipment.
The recommended residency period is two weeks or a month, but other periods are also possible. We strongly encourage the chosen applicants to travel to Kilpisjärvi by land to reduce the environmental impact of the journey.
The prices for Bioart Society members
The prices for non-members
The deadline for applications is 2nd of June 2023. The chosen artists are informed during June 2023. To apply, please fill the form at the end of this page. For more information, please send an email to opencall@bioartsociety.fi.
Ars Bioarctica takes place in the facilities of the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station, located in the Sápmi region of Finnish Lapland. Sápmi is the cultural region traditionally inhabited by the nomadic Sámi people, and it covers areas from Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. The Bioart Society has organized the Ars Bioarctica residency programme since 2009 with the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station of the University of Helsinki. We also offer financially supported residencies – for example, there are currently ongoing open calls for Rewilding Cultures and the North Escaping residencies – and organize other programme which falls under the Ars Bioarctica umbrella.
Kilpisjärvi is a village with a little over 100 inhabitants on the border of Sweden and Norway. Kilpisjärvi has a subarctic climate bordering closely on an alpine tundra climate with only one month above the 10° C (50° F) threshold. Summertime is typically cool and rainy with crisp nights. Winter is very long, dark, cold, and snowy, beginning in October and lasting to May most years. Kaamos, a phenomenon known as polar night, typically lasts from late November until mid-January. During this time, there is no sunrise. The opposite phenomenon, the polar day or midnight sun, when the sun never sets, takes place in the summer months. Kilpisjärvi is the best place to see the Northern lights in Finland.
We would like to note that the booking status at the Station differs based on the cycles of the year; sometimes the Station hosts multiple researchers and scientists at the same time, but during some periods there might only be staff members and visitors around.
Those applying should also note that even as the Bioart Society supports the resident artists in different ways, this residency opportunity expects a bit more independence – than some other residencies do – from those applying as our staff is not working on the site. On the other hand, this also allows you room to work in ways and rhythms best suited for you.
To learn more about the residency, check out the blog entries by our previous residents on our website. You can find more information about the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station on their website.
Photo: Leena Valkeapää