Think outside the box: Russian artist residency programmes
Although a normal life looks far off for many of us, we (and many others) are still dreaming of what the future looks like. Art doesn’t stop, and some time in the future, we will be able to travel again (somehow). Creative or artist residencies can be a way to animate a space, a building or a city, and to engage with local populations who you normally might not encounter as a tourist or visitor. They are also fantastic opportunities to explore outside of the main cities and find inspiration in landscapes you never expected.
We review a long-list of residencies across Russia to see what is available for international artists dreaming of experiencing life in Russia, or for Russians, interested in getting inspired by a different part of their country. We find a huge variety, so buckle up. These residencies might be long or short, paid or unpaid, for all art forms or only for one. We want to show the diversity of what’s there, and encourage you to explore more...
If maps are your thing, and if you aren’t so sure of Russia’s huge geography, you can also check this Google Map to see where each residency is located.
Some themes from our mapping
Where information was available, most of the residencies mapped were established in the last 10 years. Therefore this is an area of huge potential for Russia.
Promotion of the art residency format is increasing, and an association is being established to do this (read our interview with Kristina Gorlanova, Director, Ural Branch of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts and Ural Branch of National Center for Contemporary Art).
Making the connection between art residencies and local communities and/or social issues is an increasingly important theme.
It’s rare to find a fully resourced residency. Artists should expect to find additional or complete funding for the opportunity.
There are a lot of opportunities open to international artists. Only a few seem focussed on Russian-speakers (i.e. have information only in Russian). Some residencies have a specific international geographic focus (see, for example, our interview with Mariana Gogova, founder of the Gogova Foundation art residency, whose residency welcomes artists from Russia, CIS countries and the Middle East).
For international artists
Arctic Art Residency
Where: Murmansk, wider North Russia
Length: unclear
Art form(s): artists and musicians
Experience: since 2015
Criteria: unclear
Resources available: they can support with letters of support for funding
Costs or expenses: all expenses paid by the resident
Good to know: welcomes interaction with the local community through workshops, lectures, exhibitions, etc
Link: https://residency.arcticartinstitute.com/
Image by Arjan Mook (2019) CC BY-SA
Design Residence FLACON1170
Where: Rosa Khutor, one hour from Sochi
Length: one week to one month
Art form(s): musicians, artists and performers
Experience: since 2015
Criteria: unclear
Resources available: technical equipment (projector, a sound system, microphone, access to theater lights etc), exhibition space. Visa support given if necessary
Costs or expenses: this varies according to different formats. If no exhibition fee is charged, some costs including transportation (unsure if international costs) are covered
Good to know: this is an interesting format, because it could be a commercial opportunity, depending on the format chosen. Expected to organise lectures, workshops, etc
Link: http://flacon1170.com/artresidenceeng
Image from FLACON 1170 on Instagram
CCI Fabrika
Where: central Moscow
Length: one week to three months
Art form(s): visual arts, sculpture, media, theater, contemporary dance, criticism
Experience: since 2008
Criteria: artists at any career stage, especially young artists and those involved in socially-relevant art practice
Resources available: work studios for visual artists and sculptors
Costs or expenses: artists must cover all costs.
Good to know: the result can be research findings, exhibition or presentation
Link: http://fabrikacci.ru/en/
Image from CCI Fabrika on Instagram
Gogova Foundation residency programme
Where: Karachay-Cherkess Republic
Length: 1 - 2 months
Art form(s): contemporary art
Experience: since 2017
Criteria: artists from Russia, the CIS and the Middle East up to 35 years old
Resources available: uilding of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Science
Costs or expenses: 1000 euros bursary including materials. Accommodation provided. Artist pays travel to/from the location
Good to know: projects are selected by an expert council consisting of leading experts on contemporary art
Link: https://gogovafoundation.org/residency
Image of the Observatory from the Gogova Foundation
Read more in our profile of Mariana Gogova and the Gogova Foundation art residency!
Gridchinhall Gallery
Where: Dmitrovskoe village, Moscow region
Length: one week to one year
Art form(s): contemporary art, photography, etc
Experience: unclear
Criteria: unclear
Resources available: exhibition spaces, development space
Costs or expenses: unclear
Good to know: very well connected private hosts, who offer to make connections between the resident and the wider art scene. Space also in central Moscow. Not a public institution (visits appear to be by appointment)
Link: https://gridchinhall.com/ru/about/
Image from Gridchinhall Gallery on Instagram
Karelian Art Residency
Where: Petrozavodsk
Length: between 1 - 3 months
Art form(s): visual arts, new media, graphics, curatorial design, art research
Experience: since 2015
Criteria: unclear
Resources available: media workshop equipped with professional cameras, sound equipment, audio mixing console, special lighting, PC. Graphic studio, equipped with an etching press; opportunity to take part in the master-class by professional graphic artists.
Costs or expenses: unclear
Good to know: guests are expected to give a talk, masterclass or exhibition, etc.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/KarelianArtResidence/
Image from the Karelian Art Residency Facebook page.
NCCA Kronstadt
Where: near St Petersburg
Length: about a month
Art form(s): wide range welcomed relating to contemporary art - photography, film and video art, installation, easel graphics and painting, sculpture, public art and landscape projects, with artistic, sociological and archival research
Established: 2002, artists from 31 countries have participated
Criteria: none known
Resources available: working studio, event PR support, logistical support including visa invitation
Costs or expenses: Not much is covered. The artist pays for travel and visa costs, meals, working materials or any other expenses connected to the stay
Good to know: must include an artist talk, exhibition or masterclass. This seems well established and there are many international residents each year
Link: http://kronstadt.art/art-residence-eng#!/tab/122097143-3
Image: Street art in Kronstadt (CC BY-SA), Alexey Dushutin on Flickr
Art Residency Nickel
Where: Nickel (Никель, Murmansk Oblast)
Length: twice a year, around 2 weeks for Polar Night, three weeks for Polar Day
Art form: artists, musicians, creatives, urbanists (they are open to a lot)
Experience: since 2017
Criteria: must produce an art object/project to be exhibited or performed, must respond to theme of the residency programme
Resources available: exhibition halls, studio, dancing studio, contemporary coworking
Costs paid by residency programme: unclear
Good to know: this is the Northernmost residency in Russia. For the last edition, a collective in Murmansk curated the residencies, so there was no open call
Link: https://www.facebook.com/the2school
Image: the Second School on Facebook
Norilsk Polar Art residency
Where: Norilsk
Length: 14 - 60 days
Art form(s): artists and curators
Experience: since 2016
Criteria: artistic research on and response to the urban environment
Resources available: equipped studio-workshop in the art-residence, use of museum Arctic Museum of Contemporary Art
Costs or expenses: 50,000 rubles (approximately 560 euros at the time of writing), plus airfare, accommodation, materials covered
Good to know: proposals accepted all year, reviewed in August and February, activity can take place in two seasons. Norilsk is exceptionally polluted and it is a closed city (not open to foreign visitors without a permit)
Link: http://polart.tilda.ws/
Image: ‘People live here’, by Nina (2006) CC BY
St Petersburg Art Residency (SPAR)
Where: central St Petersburg
Length: varied
Art form(s): individual artists and artistic groups working in all fields of contemporary art, curators and art researches
Experience: since 2012
Criteria: unclear
Resources available: library, dance and performance practice space, sound recording studio, presentation and exhibition spaces
Costs paid by residency programme: no costs covered but living and working space provided, fundraising support available
Good to know: apply at any time through the year
Link: https://artresidency.ru/Apply
Image by Arjan Mook (2018), CC BY-SA
Polenovo Artist in Residence
Where: POLENOVO museum, Tula Oblast
Length: 3 weeks to 3 months
Art form(s): artists
Experience: since 2006
Criteria: artists working with site-specific and site-conditioned landscape or eco-art, with an emphasis on the issues of preserving pure nature and unspoiled scenery. Possible from Sept - May each year. No age limit
Resources available: studio premises onsite
Costs or expenses: the residency provides travel within Russia, accommodation, food and part of the costs of art materials and production. Travel to Russia is not covered
Good to know: regular open workshop/studio, collaboration with museum staff in terms of developing programming relating to the residency expected
Link: https://vassilypolenov.com/founders/our-projects/residencies/programma-polenovo-a-i-r/
Image of the artist Polenova by Ilya Repin (public domain)
Art site Stantsia
Where: Kostroma
Length: flexible, opportunities throughout the year
Art form(s): professional directors, choreographers, dancers and actors
Experience: since 2012
Criteria: unclear
Resources available: development space (100m2), technical and PR support
Costs or expenses: international artists pay for their own flight/travel. Accommodation is covered
Good to know: they’re flexible about the type of work that can be developed or performance/initiative held
Link: http://www.stantsia.com/residence
Image: kostroma 046, Aliona Boico (2012) CC BY-SA
Ural Industrial Biennial - Artist-in-Residence program
Where: Ekaterinburg and the Ural region
Length: summer
Art form(s): contemporary art
Experience: extensive, international, 20 artists from 9 countries since 2012
Criteria: unclear; multiple artists involved
Resources available: unclear
Costs paid by residency programme: unclear
Good to know: Curated, unsure if it involves an open call
Link: https://fifth.uralbiennale.ru/en/program/artist_in_residence_program/
Image taken from the Ural Biennial AiR programme Instagram
Vinzavod residencies
Where: central Moscow
Length: two months
Art form(s): contemporary art
Experience: unclear
Criteria: from 21 years old, living outside Russia
Resources available: working space
Costs or expenses: opportunity to give a public talk, have an excursion and lecture on Russian contemporary art
Good to know: hosted in a space with a lot of other working artists
Vyksa artist in residency
Where: Vyksa, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
Length: 3 - 8 weeks
Art form(s): diverse
Experience: since 2017
Criteria: preference given to artists who are interested in creating and developing ideas in Vyksa city and working with the local context and population
Resources available: unclear
Costs or expenses: accommodation provided as well as a grant for the project, travel from Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod or St. Petersburg and expenses for materials (unclear how much)
Good to know: the output can be varied: theatrical performances, creative evenings, exhibitions, master classes and other creative events
Link: https://artovrag.com/en/vyksaair
Image from Art Ovrag festival’s Facebook page
ZARYA Artist-in-Residence
Where: Vladivostok, Far East
Length: 1 - 2 months
Art form: contemporary art: artists, curators and researchers
Experience: established December 2014, more than 50 artists from Russia and overseas have participated
Criteria: site-specific focus on local context of the Far East and Vladivostok; strong conceptual framework of the project; proper understanding of the project development process
Resources available: development space (for joint use with others), accommodation, invitation letter
Costs or expenses: artist pays material, transportation and living expenses
Good to know: should provide an introduction lecture and an additional event e.g. masterclass, seminar. Special connection with Helsinki and Asia. Zarya’s project is evolving at the moment so check their news before contacting them.
Link: http://zaryavladivostok.ru/en/page/a-i-r
Image from Zarya artist residencies on Instagram
Russian-speaking residencies
While this doesn’t mean the residency is exclusively for Russian artists, it may be that there is no information in English or no visible history of international residency participants.
Artkommunalka
Where: Kolomna, Moscow region
Length: unsure
Art form(s): mixed, contemporary art, theatre
Experience: unclear
Criteria: unclear
Resources available: unclear
Costs or expenses: unclear
Good to know: 2021 residency competition launching in October 2020
Link: https://artkommunalka.com/ru/content/usloviya-konkursa
Image by Denis Sk on Instagram
Nikola Lenivets and Archstoyanie
Where: Nikola Lenivets, Kaluga
Length: unclear
Art form: for an artist, architect, designer, musician, or anyone creatively minded
Experience: unclear
Criteria: few, must be over 18. Must meet the yearly residency theme
Resources available: the resources of the park (no specific mention of studios, etc)
Costs and expenses: residency provides travel from Moscow/Kaluga, meals, tools and equipment
Good to know: no requirement for a project to be completed during the stay. Must provide a welcome lecture, and report on how ideas have been formulated during the residency. Multiple residency participants per year. No information on the art residency in English and no reference to providing a visa invitation letter
Link: http://nikola-lenivets.ru/residence
Image from Nikola Lenivets on Instagram
Typografia micro-residencies
Where: Krasnodar
Length: unclear
Art form(s): contemporary art
Experience: unclear
Criteria: none
Resources available: workshop, exhibition opportunity
Costs or expenses: they provide accommodation, no other costs covered
Good to know: no information available in English and no mention of visa support
Link: http://typography-online.ru/micro-recidenseprogram/
Image from Tipografia on Instagram
Perm Art Residency
Where: Perm
Length: unclear
Art form(s): artists, musicians, contemporary art forms
Experience: since 2015
Criteria: available for creative teams, individual performers, authors, groups of authors, producers, art managers, curators from Russia only
Resources available: unclear
Costs or expenses: unclear
Good to know: the output can be varied: theatrical performances, creative evenings, exhibitions, master classes and other creative events
Link: http://p-a-r.ru/contact.html
Image from Permm on Instagram (check out the video)
That’s all for now! But you should also keep an eye on:
A forthcoming open air art residency programme from Peace Square/Ploschad Mira in Krasnoyarsk, launching in 2021. The programme will welcome international artists, and have a special role for local artists. The focus will be on exchange between local and invited international artists, and artists and the local population (for example, teenagers).
Art Guslitsa, a creative working space in the Moscow Oblast, who used to host residencies, but have no info at the moment.
ArtGunib, Dagestan, which looks like an incredible space to spend some time. No up to date information about residencies since 2018.
Arkhangelsk AiR (Artist in Residence) looks dormant now, but it ran between 2014-2018 and welcomed internationals.
NCCA Kaliningrad, Ekaterinburg, and other branches can host residencies but the publication of these opportunities can change. We recommend following them on Instagram for up to date information.
We’ll be adding to this list as we go, so let us know if there are any residencies we should highlight, or if some of the information is no longer up to date. Enjoy, and get out there!
Thanks to Daria Sazonova for her helpful additions to this list!
Lead image by Dmitry Gorbas, from his Polar Day residency at the Second School, Nickel, in the Murmansk Oblast, in 2018.
Explore our Google Map of art residencies in Russia
