ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE OPEN CALL 2026 | uppsalakonstnarsklubb.se

Call for Applications: International Artist-in-Residence 2026

The Open call is now closed for this time. We thank the 145 applicants for their time and effort! Your answers will be sent soon. We hope to continue our residence-project next year.

Theme: The Walmstedtska Cultural Quarter, Uppsala, Sweden

Uppsala Konstnärsklubb (Uppsala Artists’ Association) is pleased to invite international artists to apply for a two-week immersive residency in Uppsala, Sweden, from October 12 to October 26, 2026. This pilot project explores the historical, social, and cultural layers of the Walmstedtska Cultural Quarter—a "hidden gem" in the heart of the city. We are looking for an artist who is eager to engage with a site-specific history, interact with our local creative community, and translate their findings into a public artistic process and exhibition.

The Context: The Walmstedtska Quarter

The Walmstedtska Quarter is a unique cultural environment by the river, characterized by historic buildings and a vibrant mix of contemporary activities. Our studio and gallery space, located in the former residences of historical artists, serve as the hub for this residency.

About Walmstedtska Gården A central element of your research will be an immersive visit to Walmstedtska gården. Built between 1855 and 1860, this estate stands as a testament to 19th-century academic life in Uppsala. It was commissioned by the professor of geology and mineralogy, Lars Peter Walmstedt, and completed by his son and successor, Lars Edvard Walmstedt (who also served as the University Rector).

The estate is a fascinating site where science and domesticity once converged. While the main house served as a residence, the property also included smaller outbuildings, such as a laundry and bakery cottage, which notably housed the family’s private laboratory and mineral collection.

Today, part of the estate is preserved as a museum—the Professorshemmet—a meticulously kept 19th-century bourgeois home. It is a reconstruction of the home of Professor Herman Rydin, professor of Law, and his household. By exploring this space, you will gain a profound understanding of the historical layers that sit at the very heart of the area. It offers a rare, intimate look at the environment of the university elite of the time, providing a compelling contrast to the contemporary art and literature activities that define the quarter today.

The Residency & Exhibition

Residency period: October 12 – October 26, 2026.
Working space: A dedicated studio at Uppsala Konstnärsklubb.
Exhibition: The residency culminates in an exhibition in Galleri 2, opening on October 24 and running through November 8, 2026. The format is open—it may result in a finished work, a documentation of the process, a performance, an installation, or other forms of artistic expression.

What we offer

Artist Fee: 30,000 SEK.
Accommodation: 14 nights provided.
Per Diem: 300 SEK/day.
Travel: Travel expenses covered (up to 10,000 SEK).
Materials: 3,000 SEK

• Networking: our artist members will contribute with opportunities for dinners, professional exchange, and social gatherings.

This residency is made possible by the support of:

Region Uppsala and Uppsala Kommun

Engagement with the Public

We value the meeting between the artist and the public. During your stay, you will participate in:

Artist Talk: A presentation at the beginning of the residency.
Open Studio: A public event mid-residency to share your ongoing process.

• Vernissage: Presence during the opening weekend (October 24–25).

Who can apply?

We invite professional artists (not Swedish) working in any medium who are interested in site-specific research and collaborative processes. We are particularly interested in applicants who can bring an "outside perspective" to our local environment, exploring the history and contemporary life within the Walmstedtska Quarter.

Application Requirements

Please submit the following in English as a single PDF file (max 5 MB):

CV (including contact information).
Portfolio (max 5 pages, documenting previous relevant work).

3. Letter of Intent (max 500 words): Tell us why you are interested in this specific site, how you intend to approach the theme, and what you hope to achieve during the residency.

Deadline

Submit your application to [gijs@gijsweijer.com] no later than [7 June 2026].

Selected artists will be notified by [15 june]. A contract will be established upon selection.

About Uppsala Konstnärsklubb Uppsala Konstnärsklubb is a local artist association working to promote contemporary art and strengthen the role of artists in society. This residency is a pilot project, with the ambition to establish a recurring international exchange program. https://uppsalakonstnarsklubb.se/

For any questions regarding the residency, please contact: gijs@gijsweijer.com

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