SAFE RESIDENCIES
Residence program
Safemuse organises safe residencies for artists that are censored, threatened or persecuted. We offer residencies with a focus on artistic development and cooperation, for artists within all artistic disciplines. Safemuse currently has two permanent residencies, Oslo Art Haven and Hvitsten Art Haven. The residency program promotes artistic freedom of expression, artistic solidarity and cooperation. The residencies usually last up to six months and are run in collaboration with our local partners, and with financial support of local and regional authorities.
The aim of the residency programme is to provide the artists with a possibility to get out of difficult situations, censorship or persecution, and to facilitate safe and professional environments in which the artists can concentrate on their creative processes, develop their artistry, collaborate with artists based in Norway or neighbouring regions, as well as build their networks for professional exchange and support.
Zhanna Gladko / Photo: Sakib Saboor
Safe Haven / Sentralen
Oslo Art Haven
Oslo Art Haven was established in 2021 and has since hosted a handful of talented artists from various countries. The Norwegian capital has a thriving cultural scene and a broad artistic community working in all art disciplines and genres. The residency is funded by the Municipality of Oslo and is organised in collaboration with Nordic Black Theatre.
Safemuse has its office in the center of Oslo. The residence artists in Oslo live in apartments in the city center or a short metro-ride away from the center. The artist living in Oslo have a team close by, but are living on their own.
Hvitsten Art Haven / Photo: Akari Izumi Kvamme
Screenshot from Whose voices film / Photo: Kristoffer Archetti
Hvitsten Art Haven
Hvitsten Art Haven was established in 2022 together with the art festival- and institution Hvitsten Salong. Hvitsten is a small coastal town just 45 minutes outside Oslo and is idyllically located along the fjord. It is the home of many local artists, and the international artists who stay here are welcomed into a close-knit community. The residency is funded by the County Municipality and Arts and Culture Norway.
Hvitsten is a small community with approximately 300 inhabitants. The residency is situated beautifully and quite isolated by the sea, with 6 km to the nearest store. As is traditional for a Norwegian cottage it has both an outdoor toilet and an outdoor shower. The residency in Hvitsten will be between April and October, as the cottage is not isolated for winter living. In Hvitsten our artists live closer to a Network and the coordinator of the program. The residency will also host several small events during the year. The art festival Hvitsten Salong is also held on the property.
Check out these beautiful short films from Oslo Art Haven and Hvitsten Art Haven:
Application process
Once a year, Safemuse announces an open call for artists who are interested in participating in our Art Haven residence program. All applications must be submitted through our online application form.
The application process is strictly confidential.
The application must include:
• Documentation of your work
• A thorough description of your situation regarding censorship, threats, or persecution as a consequence of your artistic practice.
Remember to indicate your preferred location
If you have a strong preference for one of the two residences, we ask applicants to please indicate this in the application form.
The selection process
The selection process will be carried out by a committee consisting of artists, representatives from art and cultural institutions, human rights advisors and the Safemuse team. Once the applications have been assessed and processed, interviews will be carried out. When the final decision has been made, all applicants will be notified. Thereafter we will begin to prepare the plans for the residence together with the selected guest artists.
Program costs and visa process
The program covers all costs connected to the artist’s travel and stay in Norway, including insurance, accommodation and living expenses. Safemuse will also assist in the visa-application process. Be aware that the visa and permit application process to Norway often takes months, sometimes five months or more.
Planning the residency
Safemuse has set up a team to coordinate and facilitate the residencies and projects. This includes a residency coordinator, advisors from the organisation as well as mentors.
Prior to arrival, we will create a plan together with the individual guest artist that describes both the content and the goals for the residency. We will prepare for relevant cooperation with selected artists and institutions in Norway and explore opportunities for presenting the artist’s work. If possible, the guest-artist will participate in our outreach programs (that centres around art and society), but participation is not mandatory.
Safemuse will work closely with the artist when it comes to how much exposure the artist wants, and can have, during the stay, and do a risk assessment together with the artist.
Our partners:
Nordic Black Theatre
Nordic Black Theatre is our partner in the Oslo Art Haven program. Nordic Black Theatre is a self-run theatre foundation established in 1992. The core activity is theatre production, but they also work with a wide range of partners in Norway and abroad. From humble and challenging beginnings Nordic Black Theatre has grown into a well-respected theatre institution that receives funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Oslo City Council. They also run the theatre school Nordic Black Xpress (NBX) through which they work with developing young transcultural actors.
Hvitsten Salong
Hvitsten Salong is our partner in the Hvitsten Art Haven program. Hvitsten Salong is an artist driven project that seeks a site specific- and historical approach. Hvitsten has been a place where several of Norway’s most important artists have lived and worked at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Painters and illustrators as Edvard Munch, Theodor Kittelsen, Christian Krogh, Oda Krogh, Oscar Wergeland and Hans Jæger lived and, or worked here throughout their careers. Hvitsten Salong organises an annual art festival, in addition to several smaller happenings and creating a platform for professional dialogue with contemporary artists. Their vision is to give artists an opportunity to put themselves in the periphery of Norwegian art history and to compliment the national and international art scene with an exciting, progressive and innovative environment in Hvitsten.