Ukraine Solidarity Residencies

Application summary

The collaborative residency programme by Finnish art organisations for Ukrainian artists offers residencies and accommodation for Ukrainian and Ukraine-based artists and art professionals that have been affected by the war in Ukraine. The aspirations of the collaboration are to promote solidarity by establishing sustainable support networks and finding the means for Ukrainian artists to continue their practices both as residency artists within the network and as well as after the residency period if the artist decides to continue their stay in Finland. This program runs differently than other artist residencies because of its precise aim of longevity and sustainability. This aim is carried out by the possibility of extension of the residency period, and support in becoming a part of the arts community in Finland. This support is manifested by workshops, exhibitions, and aid in all aspects of integration into Finnish Society. Enabling artists' residency stays in Finland, we offer them an opportunity to process the traumatic events of the past months, and freely explore the themes relevant to them in their artistic practices. The programme was launched in March 2022 by a group of independent art organisations who joined together to pool resources and share information. In 2023, the confirmed partners are AARK, Connecting Points programme, Goethe-Institut Finnland, HIAP – Helsinki International Artist Programme, Art in Lov, Nelimarkka Museum, Pro Artibus Foundation, and the Finnish Artists’ Studio Foundation.

Ukraine Solidarity Residencies Programme (USRP) is the collaborative effort of several Finnish art and culture organizations launched in March 2022 as a response to the outbreak of war in Ukraine. The programme offers funded art residencies and other forms of support (including activities to support integration into the Finnish art scene and aid integration into Finnish society) for Ukrainian and Ukraine-based artists and cultural workers affected by the war in Ukraine.

The programme is tailor-made for artists in uncertain times and runs differently than other artist residencies and artist aid programmes because of its commitment to longevity, sustainability, and flexibility in offering support for artists. The aspirations of the collaboration are to promote solidarity by establishing sustainable support networks and creating opportunities for Ukrainian artists to continue their practices, as well as become full-fledged actors in the Finnish art scene. USRP is committed to promotion of Ukrainian Art and its continued growth and development, supporting artists and their families. We aim to develop meaningful and long-lasting relations between art sectors in Finland and Ukraine.

The partners of the programme in 2023 are AARK, Connecting Points programme, Fairres, Frame, Goethe-Institut Finnland, HIAP – Helsinki International Artist Programme, Kristinestad Art Residency, Nelimarkka Museum, Pro Artibus, Tahmelan Huvila, The Finnish Artists’ Studio Foundation, The Finnish Illustration Association – Kuvittajat, The Finnish Darkroom Association, Värtsilä Artist Residency, funding provided by Nordic Culture Point, Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture and the Kone Foundation.