Photo: KOKO Architects
The Narva Art Residency (NART), in collaboration with the Narva municipality’s department of architecture and urban planning (ALPA), is launching its second open call for a large-scale public art installation or sculpture. This year it will be placed near the Narva Town Hall building, adjacent to Stockholm square. The installation will also serve as a platform for outdoor exhibitions, offering opportunities to engage and highlight various communities in Narva.
NART will host the selected artist in Narva for a one-month residency from 15 August to 14 September 2025. The artist will be able to be present during the production process of the installation and engage in meaningful exchanges with local people. The selected artist will receive a creative grant of 2,000 euros, and the production of the installation will be supported with a minimum of 8,000 euros. The application deadline is 15 May.
The installation is not intended as a temporary artwork, but it will become part of the urban space long-term, shaping the city environment and daily experience of its people. It will be in a public location and accessible to everyone.
We welcome proposals for installations that can also accommodate outdoor exhibitions. In addition to their visual and sculptural qualities, the installations should be able to support exhibitions consisting of posters or similar formats. This opens the door to highlighting Narva’s communities and development projects, turning the installation into a dynamic, evolving site of dialogue in public space. The idea could be inspired by the open frames in Tammsaare Park in Tallinn or the Kultuurilaev sculpture on Küüni Street in Tartu.
Who are we looking for?
This open call is for artists, architects, and creatives from Estonia and abroad. We are looking for applicants who are ready to lead the process hands-on, from sketch to final installation. The grant is awarded to one individual, and the residency is open to one or two participants, though the broader team of authors may be larger.
How to apply
The application requires a concept for a spatial installation or sculpture. The proposal should include visualisations and sketches that help convey the idea, along with a description of the materials and techniques envisioned. A draft production timeline and a preliminary budget calculation should be included.
► Deadline: 15 May 2025 at 23:59 (UTC+3)
► Submit your application via this link: https://forms.gle/oHvar85khDv8HGgu9
The application must include:
- Applicant’s name, country, age, and contact information
- CV and a short bio
- A concise portfolio (up to five relevant creative projects)
- Concept and description of the installation (max 800 words)
- Visualisations of the proposed work, including at least three views and a site plan for one of the three proposed locations
- A production budget (the initial budget limit is 8,000 euros, though this may increase with additional sponsors or partners)
- A timeline for production
- A proposal for a participatory workshop the artist is willing to lead
Applications must be submitted as a single PDF (max 10 MB). Applications may be in Estonian or English.
Conditions
- The installation must be made of durable materials, with a lifespan of at least five years.
- Light and other technical elements may be included, subject to feasibility and further discussion with ALPA and the artists.
- The work must function as an independent sculpture, but also serve as an exhibition platform capable of supporting at least ten posters or similar formats.
- The jury reserves the right to propose changes to the location, concept, or technical aspects.
- The project must align with the principles of high quality public space and/or inclusive design. These include purposefulness, aesthetic appeal, sensitivity to local context, diversity, social connection, environmental sustainability, economic value, a sense of place, and being the result of a consciously led design process. These principles are also known as the Davos Quality Criteria. Inclusive design values include respect, safety, health, functionality, clarity, and beauty.
- The artist is asked to lead a couple of workshops during their residency. This gives local youth and others in the community a chance to take part in the creation of the installation and to contribute personally. Through this, participants will not only witness the process but also feel their own involvement in shaping the city.
Where?
The 2025 installation will be located in Stockholm Square, a historically and symbolically important area in Narva’s Old Town. Once surrounded by buildings that were destroyed during World War II, the square today is a wide, underutilised space. The goal of the project is to help revitalise the square by introducing new functions and cultural meaning. The installation is not only an artwork but also an architectural intervention aimed at making the space more inviting and usable for locals.
The place also carries a strong historical layer. The site of the future installation was once home to old Narva’s street grid and architecture. One of the aims of the installation is to bring this historical layout back into public awareness, offering a contemporary interpretation of Narva’s layered past. In this way, the project builds a bridge between past and present, contributing to the city’s cultural continuity.
The location is also linked to Narva’s Jewish history. One of the significant buildings lost during the war was the Narva Synagogue, once a central site for the local Jewish community. In 2023, a memorial plaque was installed in the square to commemorate the synagogue and its role in Narva’s history. Today, the only surviving historical building in the area is the Town Hall, which was restored in 2023.In recent years, the area has seen important developments, including the construction of the University of Tartu Narva College and the renovation of Stockholm Square.
Stockholm Square today:
When?
► April–May 2025
Open call runs from early April to mid-May. The jury will announce results by the end of May.
► June–July 2025
The planning phase includes refining the design, preparing drawings, obtaining permits, coordinating with suppliers and the city, and preparing the community workshops.
► August–September 2025
The residency runs from 15 August to 14 September. During this time, the installation will be built, workshops will be held, and the project will conclude with a public opening.
The Jury
The jury will include representatives from ALPA, NART, and independent experts from the field of architecture. Proposals will be evaluated for their artistic quality, technical feasibility, and compatibility with Narva’s urban environment.
Local input is important. Before the final jury decision, we will conduct a survey with 10 Narva residents, including local artists, art educators, and citizens from various walks of life to ensure diverse perspectives are considered.
Budget and Support
The production budget is supported by the City of Narva and the Cultural Endowment of Estonia with a minimum of 8,000 euros. Additional sponsors and partners may join before the residency begins. In that case, the budget will be reviewed and adjusted in collaboration with the artist(s).
Artists are expected to cover all direct production expenses from the budget: materials, construction, drawings, transport, services, installation, and labor. Travel costs must be covered by the artist either from the grant or personal funds.
NART has a limited selection of tools, and any additional equipment or resources must be rented or sourced by the artist and accounted for in the budget.
The NART team will support artists throughout the production process, such as helping to connect with local institutions or coordinate workshops.
The Department of Architecture and Urban Planning can provide guidance on urban planning or technical aspects, review drawings, and assist with permit applications and other administrative matters.
If needed, larger working spaces can be arranged nearby, or the installation may be built outdoors on NART’s grounds. We also encourage collaboration with local partners for access to workshops or alternative workspaces. NART can help identify and connect with these partners.
Organised by Narva Art Residency (NART).
For any additional question please contact us via email residentuur@artun.ee.