Skaftfell Art Center offers an international self-directed artist-in-residence program in Seyðisfjörður, a small village located in the East Fjords of Iceland. The residency program’s remote setting provides artists the opportunity to work in relative seclusion in a place that is also home to an international community of working artists. The residency offers space for contemplation, productivity, and collaboration and is ideal for artistic research and experimentation.
The residency community is characterised by its context within Iceland’s subarctic climate. Winter brings snowstorms and darkness; the summer months, when the weather is mild the town transform from a quiet village of several hundred residents to a tourist destination. Seyðisfjörður is at once secluded and connected; it harbours the only ferry connection to mainland Europe but the town’s only connection to the nearest town and the ring road is a mountain pass that is often inaccessible in winter. This creates a particular duality isolation and connectedness.
For whom
Artists working in all media, curators and researchers. Solo residencies, duo residency and group residencies up to 3 people.
Accommodation and work space
The artists stay in two buildings in town within walking distance from the Skaftfell Art Center. Each house offers private rooms and facilities for cooking and shared living and working spaces. Each accommodating 1-3 artists at a time. One of the apartments is respectively situated above the newly established collaborative fine art print workshop Prentverk Seyðisfjörður and the other one on the third floor of the Skaftfell building, above the gallery.
In addition to the living facilities, the residency also offers artists to work in the fine art printmaking workshop which Skaftfell is a part of. The workshop offers professional printmaking facilities with space and equipment for intaglio (linocut, woodcut, etching), letter-press, various hand printing techniques and Risograph printer.
Community involvement
Artists are invited to present their work in an open studio, artist talk or host a workshop. We encourage and assist artists to participate and present their work to the community.
Duration
6 to 12 weeks
Cost
Residency fee, travel cost, project expenses, art supplies, and meals are paid by the artist. The fee includes access to the print workshop and support from Skaftfell staff.
– 6 week solo residency with shared living- and workspace accommodation with private bedroom — 130.000 ISK
– 6 week group residency up to 3 artists applying together with a collaborative project sharing a living and working space with private bedrooms — 180.000 ISK
– 6 week solo residency with private accommodation, ideal for families f.ex —180.000 ISK
– 12 week solo residency with shared living- and workspace accommodation with private bedroom — 240.000 ISK
– 12 week group residency up to 3 artists applying together with a collaborative project sharing a living and working space with private bedrooms — 320.000 ISK
– 12 week solo residency with private accommodation, ideal for families f.ex — 320.000 ISK
In addition to the self-funded residency, Skaftfell aims to offer fully funded residencies for a few artists per year, allowing them to stay for at least 12 weeks and participate in the education and exhibition programme.
How to apply
Applications are accepted through an open call published in spring. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on instagram / facebook to get updates on future opportunities.
Selection
The applications will be reviewed by a panel of two art professionals as well as Skaftfell’s director and residency manager.
Criteria: the artistic quality of the applicant’s proposal; local relevance and potential synergy; the practical feasibility of the working proposal; evidence of the applicant’s ability to work independently on a professional level. To ensure non-discrimination and equality in our residency selections, we emphasise inclusion based on race, gender, and identity.
For any questions please contact residency@skaftfell.is
