About the Skaftfell Residency Program
The residency program at Skaftfell creates an environment for inspiration, focus, and experimentation. It allows artists to experience life and work in a unique community where creativity is applied to the everyday and offers conditions that enrich the dialogue between art and life. Almost 300 artists have come to Seyðisfjörður through the Skaftfell residency program since it started in 2005. Some have left a physical trace behind, or a trace in someone’s memory. Some have returned many times, and some have stayed for good. Skaftfell is far from the busy centers of contemporary art, and offers a refuge, a hiding place, and a thinking space for artists and other creative practitioners. We encourage artists in residence to embrace the idea of a slow residency, and to allow themselves time for contemplation, preparing the ground for a shift in their practices. The program is suited to visual artists, artists with interdisciplinary practices, curators and art writers.
Skaftfell offers two types of artist residency: „self-directed“ and „thematic“.
Self-directed Residencies
The self-directed residencies are for individual artists and artistic collaborators. They offer quiet time and space for independent research, reflection, and experimentation. Artists are encouraged to use their stay for in-depth inquiries into their work processes and conceptual interests, to enjoy the magnificent nature of Skaftfell’s surroundings as a source of energy and inspiration, to share thoughts with other residency artists, and to work at the interface of art and life, embedded in a small but vibrant rural community. The program is best suited for visual artists, but artists with interdisciplinary practices, curators and art writers are also welcome to apply. The residencies arefor 1–3 months within the winter, spring or autumn term. We encourage artists to stay for 2 months or longer, in order to get deeper into the place and their practice here. The program is closed in July and December.
Costs for the artist: Residency fee, travel costs, project expenses, and meals will be paid by the artist. The residency fee covers self-catering accommodation with combined living/working space, as well as general and PR support from Skaftfell staff. The fee varies according to the chosen type of residency.
For more information about the self-directed residencies please have a look at the recent Call for Applications.
Thematic Residencies
Skaftfell’s thematic residencies create platforms for exchange, discussion, and collaboration amongst fellow artists from various disciplines, who share a professional interest in the residency’s topic, both on a practical and a conceptual level, and who wish to deepen their knowledge and expertise. They are developed and led by experienced professional artists invited by Skaftfell. The thematic residencies offer a 3-week intensive program for 6-8 artists, including group workshops, presentations, individual working time, and professional advice and support according to the residency’s topic and structure.
Costs for the artist: Residency fee, travel costs, and meals will be paid by the artist. The residency fee includes the scheduled program, shared self-catering accommodation, access to shared working spaces and equipment, basic materials if relevant, access to WiFi, and general and PR support from Skaftfell staff.
Find the current Thematic Residency Call for Applications here.
Accommodation and work spaces: Artists-in-residence stay in three historical houses in the town, all within short walking distance to Skaftfell and to each other. The houses are set up as private or shared self-catering accommodation, each including 2 bedrooms, a combined living and working space, bathroom and kitchen, work tables, washing machine, and WiFi. Click here to see an example: Skaftfell artist apartment
Travel
Residency artists make their own travel arrangements to Seyðisfjörður. Travel information can be found here. Skaftfell encourages slow travel and has teamed up with Smyril Line, the international ferry from Denmark via Faroe Islands to Seyðisfjörður. We can arrange a discount for artists-in-residence traveling by ferry in the low season.
Fjord life
Skaftfell aims to improve its environmental sustainability, influenced by its locale. The town is powered by renewable energy, the drinking water comes from the surrounding mountains, and the people of Seyðisfjörður are working towards reducing the use of plastic in the town. Skaftfell’s residency apartments are provided with environmentally friendly and refillable cleaning products, and the staff can assist with access to seasonal local produce including fish, vegetables, and eggs as available. We have three recycled bikes for the residency artists, and are collecting more. Advice on hiking in the beautiful mountains of Seyðisfjörður and other outdoor and sports activities is available through the Skaftfell staff. More General Information here.
How to apply for a Skaftfell Residency (click here)
