NART, Narva
Narva Art Residency (NART) is located on the Estonian–Russian border, and hosts an international residency programme open to artists as well as other creative professionals working across a wide range of disciplines. In addition to its residency programme, NART organises exhibitions, workshops, seminars, public events, and educational activities to offer a connection between artists and local communities.
You may apply for:
- two three-month working grants for individual artists or a partnership of two artists
- working periods: May 1st to July 31st and October 1st to December 31st
- the working grant amounts to €8,000 per three-month residency
- the amount of travel grant depends on the selected means of travel; see further information from the application guidelines.
- Narva Art Residency webpage
Narva Art Residency (NART) was founded in 2015 as a collaboration between the Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonian Ministry of Culture and Narva Gate OÜ. NART is situated in Narva’s historic Kreenholm district at a Neo-Gothic villa originally built for the director of the nearby 19th-century textile factory.
Annually, NART hosts about 30-40 artists-in-residence. The collaboration with the Estonian Academy of Arts brings partners, cultural and art professionals to the border town, and creates opportunities for networking, studio visits and meetings.
Narva is a predominantly Russian-speaking city which is characterised by post-industrial heritage and the unique border location. NART assists and facilitates learning about the local context and meeting local communities. Staff can help with introductions, translation during workshops, and finding potential local collaborators. Applicants are encouraged to outline how they aim to connect with the local community during their residency.
For the artists-in-residence, NART provides private accommodation, shared co-working spaces , as well as support for the artists’ research and exploring the Ida-Virumaa area. Accommodation is communal in nature with a shared kitchen and bathrooms. NART has modest technical facilities, so the residents are encouraged to bring with them what they need for their artistic process. NART can offer bicycles for local travel.
One of NART’s special resources is access to the vast former Kreenholm manufacturing complex. The site currently stands vacant, and artists may use it for research, exploration, exhibitions, and artistic development. Residents also have access to Narva Venice, a network of canals and boat garages that is most alive during the summer months. NART has a small rowboat for exploring and engaging with the area.
Artistic duos may apply for the grant as a working group (with one application). Both members of the partnership are provided with separate working grants, and they share one bedroom.
