As our multi-year partnership project Learning Materials enters a new two year phase supported by Kone Foundation we open two calls for artistic practitioners to join the project through a fellowship programme and an international artist residency programme, both hosted by HIAP Helsinki International Artist Programme on Suomenlinna, Helsinki.
Learning Materials takes an artist-led approach. These opportunities create the conditions and resources for arts practitioners to invest in their own material research within the frame of the project. At the same time, it recognises artists and their expertise as valuable contributors to shaping the direction of the project and its longer-term impact on the local arts ecology.
In Learning Materials, research is understood as a practice of doing: a space for the relationship—and magic—between making and thinking. At the same time, the project attends to the socio-ecological dimensions of materials, considering their impacts, legacies, accessibility and extractive histories, and questioning what it means to use them.
We are interested in artistic practices dealing with materiality across forms, including, but not limited to practices of bioart, food, agriculture, social practice, technology, craft, making, techné, curating and writing. We look forward to receiving proposals on the different research materials, matters and methodologies that applicants might wish to explore.
Learning Materials is a collaborative project by Bioart Society, HIAP Helsinki International Artist Programme, Koynẽ Program, and TUO TUO, together with partners FIBRA, LABVA, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, and SWAMP: Art Material Swap and Waste Management Point.
Two 12-month Fellowships for Finland based practitioners
The project partners invite applications for two fellows who are focused on socially engaged, process-orientated and material-driven practices, to join the project for a 12 month period, during which time they will be in residence at HIAP.
The fellowships are intended for Finland-based arts practitioners, grounding the project in a specific material, socio-ecological and political context. Together with the fellows, the project will explore how artists in Finland are expanding and experimenting with material processes and ways of producing knowledge, while asking what resources and facilities are needed to support cultural and community-led material shifts on the ground.
While the project emphasises a local approach—rooted in resilience, community and resource building—materials themselves are difficult to contain: they cross borders. Through dialogue between the fellows, international residents and associate partners outside Finland, the project will make visible how material legacies, economies, industries and urgencies are connected to, and implicated in, wider ecologies and infrastructures.
Fellows will work alongside the Learning Materials International Artists in Residence and will have access to the support, expertise, networks and facilities of each partner.
Fellowship period:
12 April 2027 – 9 April 2028
Fellows receive:
Working grant of €1350 per month (€16 200 in total) via Kone Foundation Access budget up to €1000 Research budget up to €2000 Residency accommodation and workspace provided at HIAP SuomenlinnaTwo Fellows will be selected from the open call, these positions have roles and responsibilities connected to the project which are outlined in full in the application pack. They will work alongside the Learning Materials International Artists in Residence and will have access to the support, expertise, networks and facilities of each partner.
Two 3-month International artist residencies
The international artist residency programme echoes the sentiments of the fellowship programme in the need to create conditions for material experimentation and the cross-pollination of (material) knowledge. Ensuring the project connects to perspectives, practices, processes, places and people pushing the parameters of materiality outside of Finland is critical to the project and the ways in which we engage material(s) matter(s).
Two international arts practitioners will be selected from the open call. They will work alongside the Learning Materials fellows and will have access to the support, expertise, networks and facilities of each partner.
Residency Periods:
SPRING 2027: 12 April – 11 July 2027 (90 days)
AUTUMN 2027: 16 August – 14 November 2027 (90 days)
Residents receive:
Travel to and from the artist’s home (1 return trip) - slow travel is encouraged where it is feasible for the artist and support is available for making travel arrangements. Working grant of €1350 per month (€4050 in total) via Kone Foundation Material budget up to €750 Access budget up to €1000 Accommodation and workspace provided
Deadlines and How to Apply
The deadline for both calls is MONDAY 26 OCTOBER 2026, 13:00 PM (GMT+3)
For the full application pack, details of the criteria and application process please visit HIAP’s website:
12-month Fellowships (for Finland based arts practitioners only)
3-month International artist residencies (for international arts practitioners based outside of Finland only)