Photo: Station Narva / Anna Markova
Narva Venice Embassy, a unique summer residency programme held in Narva, Estonia, is looking for artists! Held amidst the boat garages near the Narva reservoir which functions as a natural border between Estonia and Russia, the residency invites all types of creative practitioners to engage with the local community.
This public competition is for self-funded creative residencies. Selected artists will be invited to stay at the Narva Venice Embassy for three weeks during July. This year, the artists-in-residency will also be given the opportunity to reflect on their experience and practice in the Narva Venice in a documentary film.
Narva is a unique, predominantly Russian-speaking city, next to the Russian border, offering a rich cultural blend. This residency offers selected artists a three-week stay in Kulgu, affectionately known as Narva Venice. This cluster of canals and boat garages is more than a space to store boats – it’s also a place where people of Narva come to rest from the city life, to tend their garden plots, fish, hold parties or simply enjoy an evening with friends in their sauna. Although the area has garnered interest from visitors, the community is often viewed from a distance, akin to observing life in an aquarium.
To promote cultural exchange which would benefit both the locals and visitors, the Narva Art Residency launched their Venice Embassy in 2022. Following its success, the project has been returning every year since. To get a glimpse of the Narva Venice Embassy 2024 see the brochure “Late Night Kulgu”.
Note regarding filming:
During the Narva Venice Embassy 2025, a young film crew led by director Alexandra Pärn will document interactions and creative processes between international artists and the local community. This filming is part of an Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) documentary, “Venice of the East”. We hope artists feel comfortable sharing their creative processes and experiences on camera, and kindly ask artists applying to this residency to acknowledge the possibility of the film crew’s presence.
The documentary crew will hope to follow at least one selected artist who will appear in the film, but participation in the documentary is an opportunity, not an obligation. The film aims to capture the unique atmosphere of Narva Venice and emphasises community interaction and collaboration. Filming will always be conducted respectfully, discreetly, and with minimal interference, ensuring that artists remain fully supported in achieving their creative goals.
Residency Details:
► Duration: Artists will stay at the Narva Venice Embassy for three weeks within the period of 30.06-10.08 (exact dates will be agreed upon with selected artists)
► Support: The residency is self-funded, but we encourage you to search for external funding and will be happy to provide a letter of confirmation. A grant to cover production costs may be available.
► Engagement: Artists are expected to create works that stay on the territory or can be used over a longer time, and engage local people.
► Accommodation: Artists will be accommodated in a mobile setting in the Narva Venice area. The accommodation will have basic amenities, including electricity and modest cooking facilities and toilet facilities nearby. For more extensive meal preparation and showering, artists will have access to additional facilities a short distance from Narva Venice.
How to Apply:
► Interested artists are invited to submit their applications by 4.05.25 at 23.59 EEST (UTC+3).
► Submit your applications here: https://forms.gle/Qtd21Bihyzr6uXb9A
► The application information should be in English and submitted in one PDF file, max 10MB.
An application must include:
- Applicant(s) information (name, country, birth date, and contact details)
- Applicant(s) CV(s) and a short biography
- Portfolio (description of 3-5 works; max 10 MB)
- A proposal for the project you intend to develop during the residency, including how you plan to engage the local community.
- Drawings/visualization of the planned artwork
- A note acknowledging the presence of the film crew and, if applicable, willingness to participate in the film
The competition is organized by the Narva Art Residency (NART).
For any inquiries or further information, please contact Narva Venice 2025 project coordinator Saara Mildeberg: saara.mildeberg@gmail.com.