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We’re opening applications for the first annual Arctic Canvas Open Call.

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Arctic Canvas is an independent, artist-run creative retreat and residency on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland — a place where glacier, ocean, and lava fields meet.

This two-week residency is for writers, visual artists, performers, botanical & environmental artists, and interdisciplinary creatives whose work connects with nature.

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Key Dates

📅 Applications open: 1 October 2025 for newsletter subscribers, and 7 October 2025 for everyone else.

📅 Deadline: 1 November 2025

📅 Shortlist announced: 1 December 2025

📅 Selected Artist announced: 12 January 2026

📅 Residency dates: 13–27 March 2026 (fixed, not flexible)

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Who Can Apply

- Writers

- Visual artists (painting, illustration, photography, textiles, sculpture, design)

- Performing artists (dance, music, performance)

- Botanical & environmental artists

- Interdisciplinary & experimental projects - including those blending art and science

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What's Included

We cover:
🏡 Two weeks in our live/work studio

 

You cover:
✈️ Travel (flights and car if coming from abroad)
🍲 Food & personal expenses
🎨 Materials and tools (if needed)

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How to Apply

Email hello@arctic-canvas.com with subject line:
Open Call Application – [Your Name]

 

Written answers to the questions below in a total of max. 500–600 words (approx. 1 A4 page - no need for long texts, short and clear is enough).

 

Supporting Material — this can be a mood board, images, sketches, short video or audio piece, previous project documentation, or anything that helps us feel the atmosphere or intention of your project. Links are preferred. If links aren’t possible, please send one PDF (max 10 MB) with images and information combined.

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Application Questions:

 

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

2. Project you’d like to work on during your residency
 

3. Connection to Iceland — how the Icelandic or Snæfellsnes landscape inspires or relates to your project
 

4. Goals for your residency — what you hope to achieve during your stay
 

5. Links to your work (website, online portfolio or socials)
 

6. Please confirm that you have read and agree with the “Must-Know Before You Apply” points below

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Opportunities

Depending on the art form and project, we may also offer:

 

- Sharing your work through a talk, interview, or press coverage

- Connecting you with an Icelandic gallery or venue for a future show or event

- Featuring your work in a future Arctic Canvas book or group exhibition

 

All opportunities are subject to the nature and timing of the project, venue availability, and what aligns with the artist’s vision as well as the gallery’s or venue’s focus. While we cannot guarantee these opportunities, we will always do our best to support you in sharing your work.

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Selection Process

We select artists whose work is in dialogue with our place — where raw nature sets the tone, strong elements meet, and the wild beauty of the land invites a creative response.

 

The shortlist is created with our curator, Pontus Silfverstolpe — co-founder of Barnebys, the world’s leading search engine for art, design, antiques, and collectibles.

With over 25 years in the art world, Pontus brings invaluable insight to this open call. Together, we select the projects that most resonate with the spirit of Arctic Canvas — and that have the potential to make an impact.

 

From this shortlist, the final artist is selected with the help of our Instagram community through a poll.

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Must-Know Before You Apply 

To take part in this residency, the selected artist must:

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Confirm understanding of costs — including travel (flights if coming from abroad, car rental + fuel), materials, shipping of artworks if needed, food (self-catering), and personal expenses

 

Confirm that you understand a car is essential — there is no public transport, the nearest grocery shop is a 30-minute drive away, and a 4x4 vehicle is essential at that time of year
 

Arrange your own travel — flights and car rental (if applicable)
 

Bring your own materials and tools (if needed)
 

Take all artworks with you at the end of the residency (or arrange/cover shipping)
 

Agree to the fixed dates — these cannot be changed or transferred
 

Share your experience — via social media (min 3 posts)  and write a short review for our website afterwards. Optionally, we may invite you for a brief interview about your work or project for our website and socials
 

Follow Arctic Canvas on Instagram

 

Optional: You’re welcome to bring one guest — the studio has one double bed

 

Note: Any stage of your process is welcome here — to begin, explore, research, gather inspiration, or complete a project.

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We can’t wait to discover your ideas — and we’re so grateful to everyone who takes part.

 

Warmly,

Hedi & Birgit
Founders of Arctic Canvas

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Terms & Conditions

Eligibility: Applicants must be 25+ years old.

 

Responsibility: Travel, health, and accident insurance are the responsibility of the artist. Arctic Canvas cannot accept liability for personal injury, loss, or damage to property during the residency.

 

Weather & Travel Delays: Icelandic weather can be highly unpredictable. Arctic Canvas cannot accept responsibility for travel delays, missed connections, or early departures caused by weather or other external factors. In the event that severe weather conditions prevent safe travel and require overnight accommodation off-site, any additional costs incurred (such as hotel stays or meals) are the sole responsibility of the artist.

 

Intellectual Property: Artists retain full copyright of their work. By participating, artists grant Arctic Canvas the right to share images of their work or time at the residency for non-commercial PR, documentation, and promotion (always with credit).

 

Selection: The selection process is final. No individual feedback on applications can be provided.

 

Application Limit: Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be considered. As Arctic Canvas is a small team, a maximum of 100 applications will be reviewed. Once this limit is reached, applications will close — even if this is before the stated deadline.

 

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

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