Open Call for KulttuuriKauppila Residency Programs in 2026!

KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre, located in the municipality of Ii in Northern Finland, offers a residency program that allow artists to explore and develop their artistic practice, collaborate with locals and get inspired by the surrounding environment. The residency is located in an idyllic cultural heritage site by the river Iijoki and we are surrounded by an active village community.

Ii is part of the Oulu2026 ECOC year! During the Oulu2026 year we celebrate the Iijoki river and the landscape.  European Capital of Culture year in Ii will present a unique blend of contemporary art and northern landscape alongside with events that showcase the living cultural heritage of the region.

RESIDENCY PROGRAM AND APPLICATION PROCESS FOR 2026

We are looking for artists to attend the KulttuuriKauppila residency program in 2026. We offer artists a slot in the Oulu2026 -program in Ii. The 2026 residency program invites socially engaged art projects and gives the artists an opportunity to work with the local community and co-operate with relevant local actors.

We are looking for artists who can work within the framework of Art Ii /// The Winter edition in February 2026 and the Celebration of Light in November 2026 (Artists working with light/video/media/sound are welcome to apply).

Available periods: January-February 2026 and October-November 2026.

The chosen artist is eligible for an artist fee, based on a production plan tailored for the artist before the beginning of the residency period.

Art Ii /// The Winter edition

The Art Ii Winter edition is the opening event of the Oulu2026 year in Ii. Ice sculpting and snow installations, light shows and performances, in the Environmental Art Park in Ii. Communal workshops for all ages. Eco-Art Discussions. The event focuses on the exceptional seasons of the north, especially our beautiful winter. It also addresses the effects of climate change on our surroundings. When: End of February 2026.

Celebration of light /// Ii

The Festival of Lights is celebrated in Ii during National Mental Health Week. The celebration will spread across Ii, bringing light to the darkness from 18 to 22 November. The program includes light art, workshops and community art in unexpected places. The main event area in 2026 will be the Environmental Art Park and Vihkosaari beach. The Ii Festival of Lights is organized by the Ii Municipality Welfare Services in cooperation with local cultural operators.  When: end of November 2026

The residency will be tailored for each artist or artist group according to their own project plan. We are happy to facilitate interaction with the local community, but with keeping a keen eye on the current regulations of social interaction. On the application form the applicants may let us know about their interests, such as having an exhibition or hosting a master class.

The fully furnished residency space includes two private rooms with a shared studio space and a kitchen, making it comfortable for individual artists as well as artist groups. The location is far enough from traffic for peace and quiet, yet near enough to public transportation, so that the cultural events in Oulu may be reached conveniently.

HOW TO APPLY?
Fill out the application form and attach your CV and portfolio in PDF format. Please note that the size of individual attachments must not exceed 20 MB. All mandatory questions are marked with an asterisk *.

The questions on the form are in English, but you may also complete the application form in Finnish if you wish.

Application form: https://bit.ly/Residency2026

More information: www.kulttuurikauppila.fi/residency
Contact: kulttuurikauppila@gmail.com

For more information, please visit www.kulttuurikauppila.fi/residency

or contact: kulttuurikauppila@gmail.com