青楼传媒

In 2027, two major renovation projects will take place at Saari Manor, affecting both the number of residencies awarded and the working conditions.

During the individual residencies, there will be no separate studio spaces; artistic work will take place in the apartments. The facilities are primarily suitable for desk-based work. During the two-month residency periods, it will not be possible to work on projects that require extensive space for movement or the use of large-scale or messy materials.

Due to renovations affecting the accommodation, only five residency places will be available for each individual residency period.

The Saari Residence?is located in?a natural rural setting in Southwest Finland, 30?kilometres?north of Turku. The?Residence’s unique?and beautiful?manor setting?offer?residents the opportunity to work in a creative and peaceful atmosphere.?Read more about the environment

The residency is open all year round. The two-month periods for individual artists and work partners are January-February, March-April, September-October and November-December. We do not award residencies longer or shorter than two months,?nor do we offer individual residencies during the summer months. Working and living at the Residence for the duration of the individual residency period (42 days) is a prerequisite for receiving the grant.

Groups of 3–10 people can apply for the group residencies taking place from early June to mid-August. In 2027, only two types of workspace are available for groups: an unheated outbuilding suitable for a variety of space-demanding projects, or a group work space on the upper floor of the main building. It is not possible to rehearse performances or work on material-intensive projects in the main building.

Read more about what the residency includes

Accommodation and workspaces

The main building of the Saari Manor, built in 1779, serves as the offices for the Residence’s staff. The apartments for the residents are in the separate Kitchen and Footman wings, as well as in the Farmhand’s Cottage in the park area. Please note: The Farmhand’s cottage is not in use in 2027 due to the building’s renovation.

The manor buildings and their surroundings are of cultural and historical interest and  protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency and The Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres).

The Residence has nine furnished apartments of different sizes. The larger apartments are intended for literary artists, researchers and artists with families.

During the summer group residencies, workgroups share accommodations, but each group generally has its own dedicated workspace. Workgroups can work in one of the manor’s outbuildings (an unheated space) or in the meeting room in the main building, which is suitable for collaborative and seminar-type work. 

Each apartment and workspace has wired internet Ethernet (LAN) access (fibre optic). There is no wireless network (Wi-Fi) at the Saari Residence. 

Read more about accommodation and working spaces

Residency brings together artists from different disciplines

The Saari Residence offers artists of all disciplines the opportunity and freedom to develop their work and practice. In Saari Residence, you can immerse yourself in your work and interact fruitfully with other artists in residence. Artists living in Finland and abroad can apply for the residency. 

The shared language of the international artist residence is English. 

The Saari Residence also gives artists a platform to meet each other and share their thoughts and ideas at the Saari Well, which is one part of the residence that makes it unique. The Saari Well is a metaphor for the shared residency experience for the Saari Fellows.?Read more about the Saari Well?

As part of Kone Foundation, the Saari Residence fosters research and artistic work in Finland by granting residencies so that about half of the recipients are artists living in Finland, regardless of nationality. For?each residency, the aim is to select artisti living in Finland and foreign artists from a wide range of disciplines, as well as artists at the start of their career and more established artists.?Read more about who can apply?

The weekly routines of the residency include, for example, joint meetings at the beginning of the week, where each resident, in turn, presents their work and receives and gives affirmative feedback. In addition, the residents meet with the staff almost every week for lunch. During the individual residency period, the Residence organises events on topics such as ecology and sustainability, and the possibility of participating in the community artists’ workshops. 

Participation in events organised by the Residence is voluntary. 

An agreement is made with residents before the start of their residency period.?

The rules for?eveeryday?life at the Saari Residence include principles for?maintaining?a safer space.?

Work pairs, families and pets

You can also attend the residency as work pairs or partners. The duos apply together and share a workspace. Work pairs can stay in different apartments.

We do not recommend applying for an individual residency in 2027 with a spouse or family, as work takes place in the apartments, accommodation is limited, and the residency is primarily intended for the artists working there. If you do decide to apply for an individual residency with a spouse or family, please indicate this already in your application.

You can also stay at the Recidence with a dog; one of our apartments is dog-friendly. Please tell us about your pet when you apply so we can ensure room for your dog.

Return to the residency applicants’ main page