HIAP, Sumud, and Ramallah Municipality invite emerging and established Palestinian artists to apply for a three-month residency in Helsinki, Finland, taking place in Spring 2026. The residency offers time and space for artistic research and reflection, with opportunities to connect with the local art scene.
By Creatives Unite CommunityDeadline: 1 January 2026, 15:00 (GMT +2)
Organisers: HIAP (Finland), Sumud (Finland) and Ramallah Municipality (Palestine)
Who is it for: Εmerging and established Palestinian artists
Read more here
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About the Residency
HIAP (Finland), Sumud (Finland) and Ramallah Municipality (Palestine) invite emerging and established Palestinian artists to apply for a three month residency in Helsinki, during Spring 2026. The residency does not require the production of new works, or an exhibition output. There is the option to develop an exhibition proposal as a result of the residency, which could be presented at HIAP from 2027 onwards. The focus of the residency is to provide time and space to temporarily lean away from the intensities of daily routines, to focus on artistic research and to begin a collaborative dialogue with the local art scene.
The residency is supported by the Ukraine Solidarity Residency Programme (USRP) and the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. USRP has supported Ukrainian and Ukraine-based artists and art professionals who have been affected by the war in Ukraine. In 2026, the USRP network wishes to show solidarity by expanding this offer to artists based in Palestine or of Palestinian descent.
Residency Conditions
- Travel to and from the artists home (1 trip)
- Working grant of €3000
Who can apply
This call is for professional Palestinian contemporary artists who are residing in Palestine or the diaspora.
HIAP will provide support with the visa application process but, in the current geopolitical circumstances, success of individual visa applications cannot be guaranteed.
About the Residencies
Selected artists have the option of either staying at Cable Factory, or on Suomenlinna island.
- Suomenlinna
Located on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Suomenlinna is a 15 minute ferry ride from Helsinki city centre.
The artist will be provided with a Residency Apartment and separate shared working space in HIAP’s main building. The Residency Apartment (30 sqm) are furnished living spaces with kitchenette, desk space and private bathroom, accommodating up to 2 adults.
- Cable Factory
HIAP offers live/work studios at Cable Factory, Helsinki’s largest cultural complex, housing numerous creative professionals and organisations:
The artist will be provided with a combined living and working studio (63 sqm) which includes kitchenette, sleeping loft, and private bathroom. The studios are suitable for two adults or small families.
For more information about the application process and selection criteria please check HIAP's official website.
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Image: Suomenlinna by Julius Jansson on Unsplash
