THEME: Practices of resistance, acts of repair
This residency invites participants to explore the interconnected ideas of resistance and repair — not as fixed categories, but as evolving, relational practices that shape how we respond to the world around us.
To resist is often to repair. It is to hold together what threatens to fall apart, to create continuity in the face of disruption. To repair is also to resist — to reject disposability, to value what has been fractured, to insist that restoration is possible even when perfection is not.
These actions are not linear. They do not follow a script. Sometimes they are visible: a reconstruction, a reconfiguration, a deliberate withholding. Other times they are quiet and ongoing — embedded in repetition, maintenance, memory.
We welcome a wide range of interpretations and encourage cross-disciplinary approaches. This residency is not looking for answers, but for engaged, thoughtful exploration — through making, reflecting, and being in process.
Platform is an art organization based in Vasa, a relatively peripheral Finnish town. We run an art space and a residency to offer live experiences of different perspectives in a location where this would otherwise be limited.
We offer Accommodation, studio, travel expenses (one return trip, cheapest possible) and a working grant (based on per diem, approx. 300 € per week). We also offer a small production budget of 1000 €, which the artist may reimburse by presenting original receipts of purchases, specifically connected to the project produced during the residency.
The apartment is located near the city centre in Vaasa and is not shared with anyone else.
Platform holds a studio space in the city centre, directly connected to our project space. The studio is dedicated to the artist and can be used any time during the day.
The artist is given a contact person who will help the artist get familiar with Vasa, assist with the project, help get in touch with people, find material for their project, find the best restaurants and saunas etc. If any additional assistance is needed it has to be agreed upon well in advance.
There is a bike, a set of tools and equipment available for the artist. Wifi is available in both apartment and studio.
We ask the artist to give a public talk, performance, workshop or presentation* about their work or an introduction to themselves at the beginning of the residency. We expect the artist to be able to communicate in English, Swedish or Finnish. We require the artist to spend at least 80% of the residency’s duration in Vaasa as the working grant is proportional to days spent in Vaasa. The artists are required to submit documentation of the produced project to Platform, as well as a short report/ text about their experience in the residency that can be published on the website.
*Platform does not run a gallery, so we cannot offer exhibition times at the end of the residency. However, we will help the artist arrange a final presentation/studio visit/performance or other if the artist wants to present their work at the end of the residency.
HOW TO APPLY
Please follow these instructions closely. Applications not following these requirements will not be considered. We require the artist to send a digital application to with the subject ‘Residency Application 2026’ by the 30 June 2025. The application should be sent as ONE Pdf document with your full name as the title of the document. Don’t paste any relevant information in the email that is not part of the PDF.
Please include the following in the PDF (one pdf in total!):
1.An informal project plan and motivation letter, max 1 page. The aim of the letter should be describing the kind of project you imagine doing in Vaasa, your motivation to apply for this residency, your expectations and how your project or previous projects relate to this year’s theme. The project plan should also include your preferred period of time and how many months you want to stay during 2026. Also state if the time period is relevant for the project as well as clearly state what time/ times that aren’t suitable.
We are looking for artists that can stay up to 3 months, but 1-2 months requests will also be considered. Duos are also welcome to apply.
2.Descriptions and images of 5 previous projects or artworks. For videos, please add direct links to websites in the PDF.
3.A CV of max two pages, including: name, date of birth and current location.
The application shall occupy no more than 12 pages and 5 mb.
All artists will receive a notification about the selection in the autumn of 2025.
The board of Platform will make the selection. The board is under no obligation to justify the selection. If you have questions about the residency please ask them well before the deadline.
Termin: 30. Juni 2025