As one of the oldest ironworks in Finland, international exchange and community engagement has always played a natural part in Fiskars Village. Call for applications for Fiskars Village Artist in Residence programme 2014.

Today the village hosts hundreds of Artisans, Designers and Artists forming a unique, vivid community of creative professionals. Formed in 1996, the Cooperative of Artisans, Designers and Artists in Fiskars' arranges international, high-quality exhibitions in Fiskars all year-round presenting crafts, design and art. Numerous nationally noticed events such as the antique, wood, slow food and knife happening are also arranged in the village. For more information on events and services in Fiskars Village: www.fiskarsvillage.fi

Our mission is to stimulate the professional exchange and networking between creative professionals in Fiskars Village and overseas. The village surroundings is characterized by an exceptionally rich flora, many peaceful lakes and ample forests. Fiskars nature serves as an endless and accumulating source of inspiration for both local and visiting artists.

Fiskars AiR offers two separate, fully furnished apartments with private kitchen, bathroom and work space in a traditional, newly renovated house in the heart of Fiskars Village. The residency is mainly self directed with one-month summer periods for research and social networking and two-month winter periods for in depth research and production.

The residence is open to professionals from all creative businesses, nationalities and ages. This includes working craftspeople, designers, visual artists, architects, industrial designers, performing artists, composers, musicians, curators, producers, journalists, writers and researchers. We like to prioritize international guests however Finnish artists may be considered. Families and work groups are also welcome to apply. It is our wish that the visitor donates an art piece or product to the AiR collection at the end of his/her residency.

The next application deadline for residencies during 2014 will be 15th September 2013. Please check under Application for instructions on applying.