The theme for the 2018/19’ residency program is Buffer Zones: Buffer zones have various purposes, political or otherwise. They can be set up to prevent violence, protect the environment, protect residential and commercial zones from industrial accidents or natural disasters. The organisers invite the artists to contemplate the theme from various angles. Emphasis on the local context through the artistic ideas and plans presented are greatly appreciated. As the organisers do not have a studio at the moment the plan must include a vision of the space or environment the project will be carried out in. If properly motivated a studio space may be rented or borrowed for the project. During this residency period, Platform will focus on longer residencies up to 4 months. They hope that the possibility of spending time in the local setting will give depth to the outcomes of the projects realized.

The organisers accommodation, travel expenses (one return trip, cheapest possible) and a working grant (approx. 300 € per week). They 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 center in Vaasa. There is a bike, a set of tools and equipment available for the artist.

The organisers ask the artist to realize a project, which can be presented either during the residency or at a later stage. The artist is expected to give a public talk about his/her work at the beginning of the residency. We expect the artist to be able to communicate in English, Swedish or Finnish. The organisers require the artist to spend at least 80% of the residency’s duration in Vaasa and 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 press release / information text / informal report or equivalent.

Deadline: 10 December 2017