In partnership with Acme, we are pleased to open applications for a three-month residency for a Finnish or Finland-based artist, from 2 June to 29 August 2025.

Hosted by Acme as part of their ongoing international residency programme, the opportunity is intended for a Finnish or Finland-based artist whose practice would benefit from time in London to explore and research new ideas, and who feels that they face additional barriers in pursuing their artistic practice.

The residency is research focused and no outcome is expected. We hope that the selected artist will develop their artistic practice, take inspiration or learnings from the art scene in London, and/or establish new networks during their stay. Our aim is to nurture co-creation, dialogue, care and sustainability, both psychologically and ecologically.

About the residency

• A 3-month work/live residency in a furnished, self-contained studio at Acme’s Fire Station building in Poplar, London.
• An artist fee of €4,800 (€1,600 per month), provided by the Finnish Institute UK and Ireland.
• Support from Acme and the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland’s teams for the artist to develop their creative and professional networks in London.

Eligibility

• You are over 18 and can demonstrate a professional artistic practice;
• You are not currently in full-time formal education (school, further education college, university);
• You are a Finnish national or a Finland-based artist, eligible to stay in the UK for the duration of the residency (2 June – 29 August 2025);
• You are in financial need (i.e. the residency will provide a significant opportunity otherwise unavailable to you);
• You are facing additional barriers to your artistic practice that mean you would not otherwise be able to undertake a residency in London;
• You can demonstrate the transformative impact the residency would have on your artistic practice.

How to apply

• Applicants are required to complete an expression of interest using this online link.
• Deadline for applications: 11am, Monday 24 February 2025
• We will notify all successful expressions of interest by Thursday 20 March 2025
• Shortlisted artists will be invited to a video interview on Thursday 27 March 2025
• The selected artist will be informed week commencing Monday 31 March 2025
• The residency will run from Monday 2 June to Friday 29 August 2025

Supporting documentation

You may include documentation of your work in one or both of these forms:

• A PDF portfolio (max 5MB) with a maximum of 5 items (i.e. 5 images, or 2 images and 3 video links). Please include titles, dates of work and passwords for video links. Video must be max 5 minutes, or if longer the panel will watch the first 5 minutes.
• A link to your artist website or other weblink (for example, gallery website)
• CV (max 2 sides) with details of education, qualifications, recent exhibitions, commissions, awards, publications and employment.

Please find more information on Acme’s website here.

Photo: Acme’s Fire Station building, London, 1999 (c) Acme