How to apply for the International Studio & Curatorial Program residency
Deadline for applications
31 October 2026 at 23:59 Finnish time (GMT+2).
Scholarship and spaces
The six month long residency starting on 1 January 2028 is fully funded with the support of Saastamoinen Foundation in partnership with the Uniarts Helsinki’s Academy of Fine Arts. At the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) the artist is provided with a private and furnished studio space and 24-hour access to all communal facilities. The residency includes an apartment accommodation in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. An artist grant for living costs is granted for the six month period. The stipend should also cover costs for visa, pension and insurance, as well as all travel expenses in connection to the residency. In addition, the artist will receive a single instalment grant for production costs.
The selected artist will receive:
- A studio workspace at ISCP
- Apartment accomodation in Brooklyn
- A stipend of 2 000 euros monthly, 12 000 euros in total
- A 1 200 euro production support
- Participation in ISCP’s program activities
As an International Networks in Fine Arts grantee, the selected artist commits to share their processes in the form of a blog or another open digital platform during the residency and talk about the opportunity to fine art students at the Academy of Fine Arts in events agreed upon in advance. The shared material can be used in the final report from the residency period.
Eligibility
MFA and DFA graduates from the Academy of Fine Arts having at least 5 years of professional experience are welcome to apply. There is no age limit. Only artists who have finished their studies at the time for applying are considered.
How to apply
Please read about the alumni residency programme objectives in the call announcement and in the description below. More information on ISCP’s facilities, support and possibilities can be found on their website. To apply, applicants must fill out a basic form (link below) and submit the following in one single PDF file:
- A cover letter with full contact details (including telephone, email, mobile number and address) and a short presentation.
- A project proposal stating goals and purpose of your stay: max. 500 words. In the proposal, please include a section on how this residency will fit within your practice and why this is a good time for you to be applying for it.
- Description about the synergy and contacts you would gain from the residency: max 500 words.
- Documented examples of recent work (max 20 works dating back no longer than 5 years). Please include the basic information about each work (year, technique, materials, measures / duration etc.) Note that a website link alone will not be accepted, a PDF portfolio is required. For voluminous files (like videos), please insert a link to the server/website/YouTube/Vimeo where the file can be viewed.
- Your resumé (max. two A4 pages).
Please make sure that the files can be opened and that all the links to external sites work at least up to two months after the deadline.
Selection process
All applications will be reviewed by an international panel who will create a shortlist of three (3) applicants. The panel is formed by one Uniarts Helsinki Academy of Fine Arts representative and two invited international experts. The final decision will be made by the executive director and a selection committe at ISCP. All applicants will be notified about the outcome of their application within two months after closing the call. We will offer short overview feedback based on the decision-making framework, on request by phone at specific time slots.
All applications will be treated confidentially, only the staff and the jury concerned will have access to the information received. For further information on the handling of personal data, read Uniarts Helsinki’s data protection statement for scholarship applicants.
About ISCP
Founded in 1994, International Studio & Curatorial Program is a laboratory for the world’s most promising artists and curators, a place for innovation and experimentation.
ISCP’s mission is to:
- support and enhance the professional development of emerging to mid-career artists and curators from around the world
- introduce New York audiences to exceptional international art practices
- engage communities of Brooklyn and the New York City area through public programs that enrich the appreciation and understanding of contemporary art
ISCP supports the creative advancement of contemporary artists and curators, and promotes cultural exchange through residencies, exhibitions and public programs. Housed in a former factory in East Williamsburg, with 35 light-filled work studios and two gallery spaces, ISCP is New York’s most comprehensive international visual arts residency program, and the fourth largest worldwide. In addition, ISCP organizes innovative exhibitions, engaging public talks, and offsite projects, which are free and open to all, and offers the public access to important practices and ideas in the visual arts.
Tailored for professional growth, the programs serve as an active mediator, creating visibility and immersion for all of its residents in New York City. ISCP’s programming is conceived to facilitate rich dialogue, community-building, and collaboration. While in the program, all residents are invited to participate in a number of activities in and outside of ISCP including the four core program activities: Visiting Critics, Field Trips, Artists at Work talks and Open Studios which make for an unparalleled platform for producing, presenting and contextualizing contemporary art through an expansive range of international perspectives. ISCP connects residents to a diverse global network of colleagues to build lifelong professional relationships. With over 2,000 alumni from more than 105 countries including the United States, ISCP hosts more than 105 residents each year.
Visiting Critics
The Visiting Critic Program is a hallmark of ISCP’s residency program, connecting residents with curators and arts professionals from museums, galleries, alternative spaces, and publications. Through a minimum of one, one-hour studio visit each month, residents receive critical feedback and engage with a diverse range of perspectives and professional practices.
Field Trips
ISCP organizes monthly visits to museums, galleries, alternative spaces, foundations and other cultural organizations. Often, a curator or arts professional leads a tour of the institution. Past Field Trips include The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Guggenheim, Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Queens Museum as well as institutions outside the city such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Dia:Beacon, and MASS MoCA. Other trips include visits to conservation studios, print shops, and sculpture parks as well as to art spaces in downtown Manhattan like the Drawing Center and the Brant Art Foundation.
Artists at Work
Residents at ISCP are invited to present their recent work in monthly public “Artists at Work” or “Curators at Work” presentations. These programs feature conversations with interviewers, lectures, screenings and performances, and introduce the work of ISCP artists and curators to the New York art community.
Open Studios
Twice a year, in April and November, ISCP hosts two days of Open Studios, presenting work by the 35 ISCP artists and curators in residence, accompanied by performances, panel discussions and exhibitions. During Open Studios, residents present recent projects, work in progress, site-specific installations and their archives to thousands of professionals and art enthusiasts from New York and beyond. In the summer, ISCP hosts a one-day Open House.
Further information
Information about the residency program:
application@iscp-nyc.org
Information on the call and grant:
Ulla Kallakivi, Project Coordinator, Development services Academy of Fine Arts, Uniarts Helsinki Academy of Fine Arts
ulla.kallakivi@uniarts.fi