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Fljóstunga Farm: The Artistic Residency

The first night of my road trip in Iceland, I stayed at the Fljótstunga farm. Truly something out of a magazine or off the cover of a post card. Though I was blown away by the location and scenery, I was even more blown away by The Fljótstunga Artistic Residency. A farm in Iceland host artist to work on a creative project and experience nature and be inspired by the land. Wait huh? I don’t know about you, but I draw A LOT of my inspiration from the beauty of mother nature. Something about being in a scenic place that gives me the belief and confidence that I can dream and achieve anything. Everybody needs that in their life! Definitely one of the main reasons, I love traveling to see the wonders of the world. It’s good for my mental health.

Any who, the residency is a young project interested in the relation between nature and travel as a way to reflect on our own social/artistic role and practice. This residency is intended for creative process work and its objective is to support artistic research, with an awareness on the working environment. The residency gives the artist the opportunity to focus on his or her individual work in an isolated place. At the same time it offers a personal and professional exchange between the residents that share this isolation.

The residency is interested in hosting national and international artists and promoting connections to the Icelandic nature, culture and art scene. The residency is a eco-friendly establishment and is surrounded by exotic nature. The residency offers private cottages for each artist or artistic group and has communal working spaces. The residency is FREE of charge. Yes, FREE! So what are the details?

• Artist can come either by invitation, a selection through an application process or by cooperation between other organizations
• Foreign artists are expected to have their own funds to arrive to the residency, but can be offered up to full living and travel expenses during their stay depending on the program
• Throughout the year, different programs are offered
• There is currently an OPEN CALL for Artistic Residency for the Fall Period of 2014 (September 8th-November 9th)
• Duration of each residency is 2 weeks
• Type of Residency: Beginning or middle of the creative process of any art discipline. This residency is mostly intended for concept development and does not provide working tools, therefore is not suited for final stage production projects.
• Logistics

1. Each artist or artistic group receives a private cottage and a basic common working space
2. Each artist must bring their own working material
3. Transport and food expenses are the artist responsibility
4. Transport to the farm can be arranged for a fee
5. Linen and towels can be rented at Fljótstunga for a fee

• AVAILABILITY: 15 spots available/ 5 spots that include food and transportation cost during the residency stay
• Application Requirements

1. The residency is for professional artists.
2. Send an introductory email with a CV, web page or samples of your work.
3. Include information about the project you would like to develop during your stay
4. Artists can be asked to leave a sample of their work or give a workshop.
5. Include contact information.

TO APPLY: Contact lilian@fljotstunga.is

You should receive a response from them up to a week after submitting your application. There is a 6,000 ISK/$52USD acceptance fee.

What artist must cover:

1. Transport to Iceland and to Fljótstunga
2. Approximately 20,000 ISK/$175USD to get to Fljótstunga and back from the international airport.
3. Approximately 20,000 ISK/$175USD for food expenses for a 2 week stay (recommended)
4. Working material

If you decide to apply, shoot me an email and tell them I sent ya!

Here are pictures of the cottage I stayed in. All of the pictures were captured by Arní of @Absolute_Iceland. Definitely got some of the best sleep ever.