Open Call for Residencies

Helsinki International Curatorial Programme 2025 – Open Call for Residencies

The Helsinki International Curatorial Programme (HICP) offers one-month residencies for contemporary art curators, co-organised by Frame and HIAP – Helsinki International Artist Programme. This open call invites curators with at least 2–3 years of professional curating experience to live and work at HIAP’s international residency site on Suomenlinna, just a 15-minute ferry ride from central Helsinki. Selected curators will receive a combined workspace and accommodation, a €1200 working grant, and a travel allowance, along with tailored assistance and networking support.

Residency Details

• Duration: One-month residency
• Dates:
  • Option 1: 19 August – 19 September 2025
  • Option 2: 23 September – 24 October 2025
• Location: Suomenlinna, Helsinki (15-minute ferry ride from the centre)
• Support Provided:
  • Combined workspace and accommodation
  • €1200 working grant
  • Travel allowance from and to the curator’s residence
  • Individual assistance and networking support from HIAP and Frame

Programme Aims

• Connect internationally active curators with the Finnish contemporary art field.
• Enable curatorial research and collaborative project planning (exhibitions, public events, publications, etc.) in partnership with local artists and organisations.
• Foster diverse and emergent curatorial practices that have a meaningful impact on the local art scene.

Application Guidelines

• Eligibility:
  • At least 2–3 years of professional curating experience (formal education is not obligatory).
• Submission:
  • Applications must be submitted via the online application form. Applications or supporting material sent by email without using the form will not be considered.
• Required Materials:
  • A short biography and statement about your curatorial interests, supported by visuals and documentation of previous activities.
  • A motivation letter for the residency.
• Deadline:
  • Sunday, 16 March 2025 at 11:59 pm (GMT+3)
• Notification:
  • Selected residents will be notified by the end of March 2025.

Selection Criteria

• Motivation: Does the applicant present a strong argument for undertaking the residency?
• Relevance: Would the residency have a potentially meaningful impact on the local art scene?
• Topicality: Does the proposal resonate with current topical issues?
• Diversity: Does the applicant consider diversity within their practice and contribute to the overall diversity of the HICP programme?
• Quality: Overall quality of curatorial practice based on originality, rigor, presentation, vision, and impact.

Inclusion, Diversity and Access

• People from the global majority*, who are LGBTQIA+, disabled** and/or from working class or low socio-economic backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.
  • *Global majority refers to people of Indigenous, African, Asian or Latin American descent.
  • **Disabled includes individuals with long-term health conditions, deaf/Deaf, neurodivergent persons, or those with other health-related access requirements.
• Accessibility information for HIAP Suomenlinna residency apartments is available here.
• There is no additional access budget; however, applicants can include details about their access requirements in the application form or upload an Access Rider separately (these will be treated confidentially).
• If further information or support is needed, please contact office@hiap.fi.