Apply to the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten residency programme 1 Jan–1 Feb 2026
The application period for the Rijksakademie residency programme will run from 1 January to 1 February 2026. You can find the online application form on the Rijksakademie website.
The two-year residency will start in January 2027.
If an Academy of Fine Arts alum is selected for the programme through the Rijksakademie open call, they will be awarded a grant made possible by a collaboration between Uniarts Helsinki’s Academy of Fine Arts and the Saastamoinen Foundation. The foundation supports the selected graduate with a total grant of €100,000. Additionally, the foundation will cover the artist’s travel expenses.
The Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten is one of the most respected artist-in-residence programmes in the world. Founded in 1870, the institution is known for its commitment to innovation, critical thinking and interdisciplinary exploration across different art forms. The programme provides residents with private studios, access to advanced technical workshops, a library and expert guidance by a diverse network of artists and professionals. It encourages experimentation and dialogue across diverse artistic practices.
Works by former residents have been featured in leading international art events, including the Venice Biennale, documenta and the Gwangju Biennale. Some works have been included in the collections of institutions such as the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, MoMA, Tate Modern and Centre Pompidou. The programme’s alumni include Jennifer Tee, Otobong Nkanga, Monira Al Qadiri, Kendell Geers, Remy Jungerman and Rineke Dijkstra.
Each year, the Rijksakademie selects around 23 artists for the residency programme, half from the Netherlands and the other half from other countries. Academy of Fine Arts alum Priss Niinikoski will start her residency period in January 2026 with support from the Saastamoinen Foundation. Other former residents of the Rijksakademie from Finland and alumni of the Academy of Fine Arts include Artor Jesus Inkerö (resident in 2019-2020), Pilvi Takala (2009–2010) and Erkka Nissinen (2007–2008).