The aim of the initiative is to strengtening the residency field for crafts and design across the Nordic region, and facilitate access to specialised knowledge and skills at production sites for practitioners. Through mapping and analysing relevant existing production sites in the region, and establishing new residencies, the initiative will support artistic development and innovation. In this context, the term 'production site' covers everything from large, specialised factories to smaller workshops with individuals or groups that have expertise in a specific area. This can be a specific craft, material knowledge, production method, technique, or the like.

Open call in 2024: Mapping of specialised knowledge and skills

In order to strengthening the residency field, there is a need for more insight tino the type of production sites that exist and what kind of specialised knowledge is still to be found in the Nordic region. In 2024 Danish Arts Foundation and Norwegian Crafts gathered knowledge about relevant production sites through two rounds of open call in 2024. Practitioners within craft and design could apply for a residency stay at a production site throughout the Nordic region. Examples of types of stays or residencies in the open call was:

• A duojár from the Norwegian side of Sápmi wants to learn a specific making technique from a duojár/duojárat on the Swedish or Finnish side of Sápmi who possesses professional expertise and experience in the specific technique.
• An emerging textile artist wants to learn a weaving technique from a more established artist who possesses professional expertise and experience in the specific technique.
• An existing residency program that gives access to a production site with specific knowledge of production techniques that the applicant will use for further artistic development, research, dissemination, etc.
• A ceramic artist wants to spend time at a production site that can offer insight and education in specific production methods relevant to the artist's project (e.g. an exhibition). In such cases, the artist may have been granted a spot in a residency but lacks funding for fees for teaching and transport of finished works.
• A curator or researcher wants to delve into the archives of a production site to develop an exhibition or dissemination material on a specific theme from the research.
• A curator or writer wants to gather in-depth knowledge about a specific production method or technique through a stay with an artist collective with specialist expertise, to develop an exhibition, publication, or other dissemination material.

The applications for the open call will set the foundation for a research study conducted by The Danish Institute for Cultural Policy Analysis. In this way, applications to the open call will influence what kind of residencies are to be established in the region. A substantial report will be disseminated within the arts and culture sector in the Nordic region in collaboration with the Nordic Culture Fund. Based on this knowledge, new residencies that meet the needs of the craft and design field can be established in the Nordic region.

Grant recipients in 2024

• Ole Morten Rokvam, Firefly in Århus, Denmark
• Imi Maufe, Vingaards Officin in Viborg, Denmark
• Lillian Ulverud, Helle Bovbjerg Studio in Viborg, Denmark
• Rosanna Vibe, Marie Ekstedt Bjersings Vevestudio in Mölndal, Sweden
• Amalie Risom Nyrup, Vild Hvede in Veflinge, Denmar
• Siri Skjerve, Kittat in Nuuk, Greenland
  
• Victoria Rowena Browne, Ulrichehamns Tapetfabrik in Ulrichehamn, Sweden
• Pei-Han Lin, Artibus in Malmö, Sweden
• Lydia Soojin Park, Arabia Art Department Society in Helsinki, Finland
• Mette Paalgard, Nordiska Neon & Diod in Västerås, Sweden
• Matilde Gaustad, Witchcraft Whips in Sundsvall, Sweden
• Marit Brandsnes, Vinegaards Officin in Viborg, Denmark

The report will be launched in Spring 2025