Skaftfell’s residency program aims to create an environment for inspiration, focus, and experimentation, and to offer working conditions that enrich the dialogue between art and life. It allows artists to experience living and working in a unique community where creativity is applied to the everyday. Almost 300 artists have come to Seyðisfjörður through the Skaftfell residency program since it started in 2002. 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 thinking space, and a platform for experiments to 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. Skaftfell offers two types of artist residency: “self-directed” and “thematic”. Both are suited to visual artists, artists with interdisciplinary practices, curators and art writers.
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 are for 1–3 months throughout the year. We encourage artists to stay for 2 months or longer, in order to get deeper into the place and their practice here. The residency program is closed in July and December.
Accommodation and work spaces: Artists-in-residence stay in three historical houses in Seyðisfjörður, 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.
Costs for the artist: Residency fee, travel costs, project expenses, and meals are paid by the artist. The residency fee covers self-catering accommodation with combined living/working space, as well as general and PR support from the Skaftfell staff. The fee varies according to the chosen type of residency. Please see the current call for applications for price details.
Residency grants: Opportunities to apply for funded residencies, administered by Skaftfell, will be announced on our website and through social media as they become available. In previous years Skaftfell has been able to provide 1-2 funded residencies per year through the Nordic Baltic Mobility Program (Nordic Culture Point).
Travel
Residency artists make their own travel arrangements to Seyðisfjörður. Travel information can be found here.
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. Skaftfell’s residency apartments are provided with environmentally friendly cleaning products, and we strive to recycle and upcycle materials wherever possible. 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.
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, 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. Previous thematic residencies have been “Printing Matter”, focusing on printmaking and artist book making, and “Wanderlust”, exploring walking as an artistic practice.
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, and general and PR support from Skaftfell staff. More detailed information is provided in the individual calls for applications.
How to apply for a Skaftfell Residency: click here
Current Call for Applications: click here
Images: Skaftfell (top), Ströndin Studio (lower)