Applications are now open for this year’s Arctic Canvas Open Call.

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We’re honoured to welcome Robert Raths, founder of London-based independent record label Erased Tapes, as this year’s guest curator.

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With Robert joining us, this year’s Open Call will focus on sound and music, welcoming artists working across all genres and formats.

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Key Dates

Applications open: 11 October 2026
Deadline: 8 November 2026
Selected artist announced: Around 8 December 2026
Residency: 18–31 March 2027 (Residency dates cannot be changed or transferred.)

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Who Can Apply

We welcome applications from musicians, composers, producers, sound artists and interdisciplinary artists working with sound and music.​

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You can apply as an individual artist or as a duo. A maximum of two artists can take part in the residency.

Any stage of a project is welcome — you might use the residency to begin something new, write, compose, record, experiment, research or develop an existing body of work.

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What's Included

We cover:
Two weeks in our private live/work Arctic Canvas Studio

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You cover:
Travel, including flights and car rental if coming from abroad
Food and personal expenses
Equipment, materials or tools you may need

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The residency is self-directed and self-catered, giving you the freedom to structure your time and work in the way that suits you best.

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How to Apply

Email hello@arctic-canvas.com with the subject line:

2026 Open Call Application – [Your Name]

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Please include:

• Written answers to the questions below (max. 500–600 words in total, approximately one A4 page).

• Links to supporting material — music, recordings, video, previous projects or anything else that helps us understand your work and project. Please send links only — no file attachments.

 

Application Questions

1. A short introduction to you and your work/practice.

2. Tell us about the project or idea you would like to work on during your residency.

3. Why would a residency at Arctic Canvas be valuable to you and your work?

4. What would you like to explore, develop or achieve during the two-week residency?

5. Please confirm that you have read and agree with the Must-Know Before You Apply section and Terms & Conditions.

 

Opportunities

Depending on the artist and project, we would love to share something from the residency through an Instagram Live — whether that's a performance, conversation or work-in-progress session, co-hosted with Arctic Canvas.

The format would be discussed and agreed with the artist, based on what feels right for their work.

Where possible, we’ll also look for ways to connect the artist with local or Reykjavík-based venues, organisations and collaborators. We aim to support opportunities that may extend beyond the two-week residency.

We’ll also share the artist and their work through Arctic Canvas channels.

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Previous Open Call

Last year’s selected artists, filmmaker and photographer duo Merel Klomp and Elmar Janse, came to Arctic Canvas to further develop their ongoing Glacier Project.

Their time in Snæfellsnes extended beyond the residency, leading to an exhibition and artist talk at the Snæfellsjökull National Park Visitor Centre.

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Selection Process

Our guest curator Robert Raths founded Erased Tapes in 2007. The London-based independent record label is known for its genre-defying artists and distinctive approach to contemporary music, with artists including Ólafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm and Rival Consoles.

 

Robert will help us select this year’s artist, with a focus on originality, artistic vision and creative potential.

 

A shortlist of finalists will be selected and contacted individually. We would also love to introduce the shortlisted artists through Arctic Canvas social media.

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From the shortlist, one artist or artist duo will be chosen for the residency.

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Must-Know Before You Apply

• Travel: Artists arrange their own travel, including flights, car rental and any necessary visas.

• Getting around: A car is essential, as there is no public transport in the area and the nearest grocery shop is around a 30-minute drive away. A 4x4 is required in March due to possible snow and winter road conditions.

• Equipment: The Studio is a creative live/work space, not an equipped recording studio. Artists must bring their own instruments, recording equipment, materials and anything else needed for their project.

• Shipping: All belongings, equipment and work must be taken away at the end of the residency. Any shipping must be arranged and paid for by the artist from Reykjavík.

• Documentation & Sharing: The selected artist will be asked to document and share aspects of their residency through images, video or social media, and provide a short reflection for our website afterwards. The format can be agreed with the artist.

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Over to You

We're looking forward to seeing what you're working on and discovering new projects.

Hedi & Birgit
Founders of Arctic Canvas

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Terms & Conditions

Eligibility: Applicants must be 25 years or older.

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Application Deadline: Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be considered.

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Selection: The selection is final. As we are a small team, we are unable to provide individual feedback on applications.

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Responsibility: Artists are responsible for arranging appropriate travel, health and accident insurance, including cover for personal belongings and equipment. Liability for injury, loss or damage is subject to applicable law.

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Weather & Travel Delays: Icelandic weather can be unpredictable. Arctic Canvas cannot accept responsibility for travel delays, missed connections or changes to travel plans caused by weather or other external factors. Any additional travel, accommodation or meal costs are the responsibility of the artist.

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Property & Conduct: Artists are expected to respect the Studio, property, surroundings and local community, and to follow Arctic Canvas house rules. Artists are responsible for any damage caused beyond normal wear and tear. Arctic Canvas reserves the right to end the residency early in cases of serious misconduct, unsafe behaviour, significant damage to the property or repeated disregard of the house rules.

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Documentation & Use: Artists agree to provide Arctic Canvas with a selection of images and/or video documenting their time and work at the residency. Arctic Canvas may share this material on its social media, website and newsletter, always with credit to the artist. Artists retain full copyright of their work.

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Residency Credit: When work created or developed at Arctic Canvas is shared publicly during or after the residency, artists agree to acknowledge Arctic Canvas and, where relevant, tag Arctic Canvas on social media.

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Political & Religious Activity: Arctic Canvas welcomes artists from different backgrounds and perspectives. The residency may not be used for political campaigning, religious recruitment or promotional activities on behalf of political or religious organisations.

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No Cash Alternative: The residency cannot be exchanged for money or transferred to another time period.

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