Narva Art Residency's OPEN CALL | Sensing the Border

SENSING THE BORDER 2027

OPEN CALL PERIOD
29.09.–25.10.2026

APPLICATION DEADLINE
25.10.2026

RESIDENCY PERIODS

January 4–March 14
April 26–July 4
July 5–September 12
September 13–November 21
October 11–December 20

NART invites five Nordic or Baltic artists to explore the theme of borders and border landscapes through artistic interventions in Narva, a city at the visible edge between Estonia and Russia. Each artist will focus on one of the five human senses—sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste—transforming the geopolitical reality of the border into a multisensory experience to foster deeper understanding, sensitivity, and new perspectives beyond existing stereotypes.

The residency is organised by the Narva Art Residency and funded by the Nordic Culture Point. If you have any questions, please contact residentuur@artun.ee.

BORDER CONTEXT

Narva lies at Estonia’s eastern edge on the western bank of the Narva River. Across the narrow river stands Ivangorod in Russia, once a suburb of Narva. As a town on the border of the European Union and the Schengen area, Narva carries strong symbolic weight. For residents, the border is everyday reality; for outsiders, it often becomes a warning sign. This residency begins by examining the gap between lived experience and external projection.

In recent years, Narva has often been framed by the question “Is Narva next?”, referring to the war in Ukraine. Such narratives flatten the city’s complex social fabric and its largely Russian-speaking population. The programme counters this through presence, listening, and direct engagement. We welcome Baltic and Nordic artists who bring experience of borders—physical or metaphorical—into their practice.

THE PROJECT

Five artists will each work with one of the five senses, approaching the border as something seen, heard, touched, smelled, or tasted. Shifting from geopolitics to embodied experience, the project explores the river, shared sounds, urban textures, atmosphere, and traditions as entry points. Through research, dialogue, experiments, and public outcomes, artists translate the border’s complexity into forms audiences can physically and emotionally encounter. The aim is not to provide answers, but to widen perception and foster lasting dialogue.

Five artists will be supported through this grant, with each residency lasting 10 weeks. We consider this an optimal period for artists to become familiar with the context of Narva while having sufficient time to develop and produce a new work. The residency period also provides artists with the opportunity to explore other parts of Estonia and engage with the wider cultural context of the country.

WHAT WE OFFER

– 2000€ creative grant
– 1000€ production budget
– 300€ travel reimbursement

Non-monetary support:

• Free private accommodation, common working spaces, shared kitchen and washing facilities
• Access to the Kreenholm Manufactory and the Narva Venice Embassy in Kulgu
• Bicycles (deposit) and a small boat during warmer months
• Support connecting artists with local communities, production assistance, translation support, communication and event launching
• One-to-one sessions with visiting experts, networking opportunities in Tallinn/Tartu, weekly meetings and mentoring
• Possibility to propose exhibitions or events in NART’s gallery spaces
• A chance to give a lecture/seminar at the Estonian Academy of Arts
• A collaborative environment with exhibitions, workshops, students, visitors and other residents
• Support for organizing public/community activities
• A letter of confirmation for artists seeking external funding

WHO CAN APPLY?

• Professional artists permanently residing in Nordic or Baltic countries: Denmark, Finland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Åland, Latvia, or Lithuania. Artists from Estonia are not eligible for this grant.
• Artists working in any discipline, not only visual arts.
• The programme is meant for individual artists
• Artists should be available for a 10-week residency in Narva

HOW TO APPLY?

Download and submit the application on the Narva Art Residency website.