The residency program at Skaftfell creates an environment for inspiration, focus, and experimentation. It allows artists to experience life and work in a unique community where creativity is applied to the everyday and offers conditions that enrich the dialogue between art and life. Almost 300 artists have come to Seyðisfjörður through the Skaftfell residency program since it started. Some have left a physical trace behind, or a trace in someone’s memory. Some have returned many times, and some have stayed for good. Skaftfell is far from the busy centers of contemporary art, and offers a refuge, a hiding place, and a thinking space for artists and other creative practitioners. We encourage artists in residence to embrace the idea of a slow residency, and to allow themselves time for contemplation, preparing the ground for a shift in their practices. The program is suited to visual artists, artists with interdisciplinary practices, curators and art writers. Skaftfell offers two types of artist residency: „self-directed“ and „thematic“.

Self-directed Residencies: The self-directed residencies are for individual artists and artistic collaborators. They offer quiet time and space for independent research, reflection, and experimentation. Artists are encouraged to use their stay for in-depth inquiries into their work processes and conceptual interests, to enjoy the magnificent nature of Skaftfell’s surroundings as a source of energy and inspiration, to share thoughts with other residency artists, and to work at the interface of art and life, embedded in a small but vibrant rural community. The program is best suited for visual artists, but artists with interdisciplinary practices, curators and art writers are also welcome to apply. The self-directed residency program hosts up to 4 artists at the same time, for 1–3 months within the winter, spring or autumn term. They encourage artists to stay for 2 months or longer, in order to get deeper into the place and their practice here. The program is closed in July and December.

Thematic Residencies: Skaftfell’s thematic residencies create platforms for exchange, discussion, and collaboration amongst fellow artists from various disciplines, who share a professional interest in the residency’s topic, both on a practical and a conceptual level, and who wish to deepen their knowledge and expertise. They are developed and led by experienced professional artists invited by Skaftfell. The thematic residencies offer a 3-week intensive program for 6-8 artists, including group workshops, presentations, individual working time, and professional advice and support according to the residency’s topic and structure.