2010 FINUS-HIAP RESIDENCY PROGRAM - Deadline: August 15, 2010

Spend your Summer in Helsinki, Finland... on the picturesque island of Suomenlinna... Travel expenses and housing granted. Experience the vibrant arts scene of one of Europe's most progressive city, visit the land where arts and design permeates culture... Take part in a cultural exchange between Washington DC and Helsinki.

The Finland + United States Cultural Alliance (FINUS) is partnering with the Helsinki Artists in Residency Program (HIAP) [www.hiap.fi] to create an Artist Exchange and Residency Program between Washington, D.C. and Helsinki.

In the first phase of this program, one artist residing in the District of Columbia will be selected to travel to Helsinki for a one-month paid residency. During the residency the artist selected will be expected to:

• Develop and explore artistic concepts of their choosing
  
• Develop educational component to complement his/her concepts. (This is a key element and all applications are expected to have strong educational/knowledge-sharing possibilities.)
  
• Actively participate in the arts and cultural scene while in Helsinki (i.e. galleries, artist talks, museum trips etc.)
  
• Collaborate with Finnish artist or local personalities where possible.
  
• Document their creative, educational and cultural activities through a daily electronic journal for later presentation in Washington, D.C.

Artists interested in this opportunity should visit www.finus.org for application and program details

TIMELINE

July 1, 2010 - Open Call
August 15, 2010 - Application Deadline
August 20, 2010 - Accepted applicant notified
September 2, 2010 - October 2, 2010 - Duration of residency
November 2010 - Journal presentation in Washington, D.C.

PROGRAM DETAILS

This opportunity is open to all artists living and/or working in Washington, D.C. Emerging artists are strongly encouraged to apply

FINUS and HIAP will select one artist from an open call to receive financial support in the amount no less than $750 (living/travel stipend).

FINUS will arrange for travel to and from Helsinki, Finland.

HIAP will provide artist accommodation and residency on Suomenlinna Island (www.suomenlinna.fi/en), Helsinki, Finland. Access to facilities and technical assistance will be granted with residency.

Artists interested in this opportunity may submit applications in 3 ways:

1) Email:
Send an electronic version (.pdf or .doc) to exchange@finus.org (please write "YOURLASTNAME - EXCHANGE" in the subject

2) Online Form:
Fill out the online form here >>

3) Mail four collated copies of the application documents to:
FINUS - Exchange
c/o Ayodamola Okunseinde
416 H St. N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002

• Submissions must be received by 9:00 p.m., August 15, 2010 for consideration.
  
• Submissions will be reviewed, and winner selected by Board members of FINUS and Curatorial Board of HIAP
• Applicants must make their own travel visa perparations if not US citizens
  
• Mailed materials will not be returned to applicant
  
• Please call 202-643-8114 or email exchange@finus.org for questions or information regarding this program

Your proposal MUST include the following information for consideration
1) First and last names
2) Your email address
3) Your mailing address
4) Your phone number
5) Your website URL (if applicable)
6) 2 pages (max) CV / resume
7) 1 page (max) artistic statement
8) 2 (max) pages of previous work samples / or 1 CD/DVD
9) 1 page on how your works/concepts can further Finland/US cultural relationships

ABOUT FINUS

The mission of the Finland + United States Cultural Alliance (FINUS) is to promote & produce intercultural exchange and learning opportunities through the arts between the countries of Finland and the United States. FINUS fosters mutual learning, social, creative and personal development through shared experience.

We operate under three main goals:

• Expanding the understanding of Finland's diverse art culture in the United States through the promotion of Finnish arts and artists in the United States
• Supporting the cross-fertilization between the art and culture worlds of the United States and Finland
• Promoting the broader aspects of Finnish culture in the United States and American (USA) culture in Finland

Our mission is accomplished by bringing together artists from the United States and Finland on a regular basis to learn from each other and benefit from their respective artistic and cultural experiences. Through collaborations with participating schools, galleries and museums FINUS provides educational programs and events open to the public. These shared networks and opportunities ultimately form and strengthen unique relationships and collaborations among artists and cultural entities in both countries.

www.finus.org

ABOUT HIAP
HIAP - Helsinki International Artist-in-Residence Program is the largest international residency centre in Finland. The program is focused primarily on the Visual Arts but is open to artists from various disciplines. Residencies are offered for artists, curators, critics and researchers within several special programs.

Every year between 40-50 art professionals from around the world are offered a working period of 1-3 months in the program. The program is developed in close collaboration with a network of art specialists and cultural organizations in Finland and abroad.

The main objectives of the HIAP residency program are:

• To provide international arts professionals with an opportunity to undertake creative work, conduct research, and carry out special art projects in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
  
• To present the creative work of international artists to audiences in Helsinki.
  
• To offer, through collaborative exchange programs, opportunities for artists based in Finland to work at residency centers abroad.
  
• To foster international collaboration, exchange, and dialogue in the arts.

The program gives precedence to artists whose interests lie within contemporary culture. HIAP encourages artists-in-residence to carry out collaborations with local artists and arts organizations and to realize projects accessible to a wide range of audiences. While working on their projects during the residency, guest artists have access to HIAP administrative and curatorial support and to contacts with local arts professionals and organizations. The public events organized for and by the artists-in-residence include exhibitions, screenings, presentations, workshops, talks, Open Studios and other special events.

www.hiap.fi