Open Call for: Field-based Residency in Art-Science integration on Svalbard 2026
Artica Svalbard is pleased to announce a unique opportunity for artists working at the intersection of art, science, and ecology. In collaboration with the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), we will host a new Field-based Artist Residency embedded within ongoing biological research on Svalbard reindeer.
Project Overview
Artica Svalbard is offering a field-based artist residency at a remote cabin in the high-Arctic tundra of Svalbard. This is a part of an art-science integration project, in collaboration with the University Centre in Svalbard. Artist residents will assist with biological data collection that contributes to their artistic research in a unique and inspiring setting. The scientific focus will be related to ongoing research on Svalbard reindeer, entailing direct observation of reindeer behavior and sampling of their environment. The aim of this project is to provide both artists and scientists with the opportunity to share perspectives on observations while immersed in nature, creating a platform for art-science integration that fosters interdisciplinary learning.
This residency is designed to support artists whose practice engages deeply with landscape, ecological processes, climate change, or the relationships between human and non-human species. The aim is not simply to place artists in a scientific setting, but to create conditions where artistic research and scientific research inform one another through shared observation, embodied knowledge, and sustained presence in the field.
Description of Residency and Field Conditions
This artist residency will be based in a remote field cabin (Tarandus) located ca. 40 km south of Longyearbyen. There are no roads to the cabin, so access is by foot in summer and ski or snowmobile in winter. There is no running water, no cellular service, and extremely limited electricity (through a wind and gas generator). Most food provisions are stored at the field site, but some will be carried out by the artists and researchers. For artists joining in the summer months, all supplies and equipment must be carried out in backpacks. Each residency period will be ca. three weeks. The cabin will be shared with other researchers, including students and field assistants.
While in residency, the artists will be field assistants to the scientific research being conducted. The research focus will shift throughout the year, and in accordance with scientific inquiries relating to the different phases of the annual reproductive cycle of Svalbard reindeer. Much of the research is aimed at understanding how climate change alters the landscape and how reindeer are coping with such rapid environmental shifts. Thus, field work entails assessing environmental conditions, including measuring snow and ice conditions, maintaining equipment for soil temperature and moisture monitoring, and collection of plant and fecal samples. Additionally, artists will assist with direct observation of reindeer behavior including watching foraging strategies and video recording calving and breeding behavior. Other research objectives may develop throughout the year, so artists are expected to maintain flexibility in the types of field work they will be assisting with. Similarly, field work can be shaped by objectives of the artistic research of visiting artists and data collection can be designed to support interests of the visiting artist.
Located in the high Arctic, it can be extremely cold (as low as -40 C, with prolonged periods of -20 C in winter). Summers are cool with only a few weeks exceeding 10 C. Also, Svalbard has long periods of 24-hour light, midnight sun (April-August), and 24-hour darkness, polar night (November-January). Working days in the field will be long and in all weather conditions. This residency is located in polar bear country, so related safety measures apply, including carrying of firearms and use of dogs for polar bear protection. Artists will be provided with necessary training for polar bear safety but will not be responsible for handling firearms. There are no trails in the field site, so all walking is on uneven terrain, including loose rocks, ice, steep slopes, and river crossings.
Periods of Residency in 2026 - 2027
We will welcome residents at 8 different time periods between May 2026-April 2027. Summer and autumn dates are largely fixed, but winter and spring dates are more flexible. We will consider both solo and paired artists for each period.
Summer and autumn periods include:
July 3-24, 2026
July 24-August 14, 2026
August 25-September 15, 2026
September 25-October 15, 2026
November 1-22, 2026
Winter periods include*:
January 10-31, 2027
February 7-28, 2027
March 7-21, 2027
*Note: winter periods are flexible
Basic Skills Needed
Ability to take detailed notes and data recording
Ability to endure monotonous tasks for many hours
Basic backcountry navigation skills
Comfortable around firearms
Comfortable around dogs
Ability to withstand extremely cold temperatures (-30 C) and under all weather conditions—such as rain, snow, and wind—for prolonged periods of time
Ability to cope with 24-hour daylight or darkness
Flexibility with schedule changes or tasks performed
Ability to communicate openly
Cabin and Living Conditions:
Ability to live in tight corridors with several people
Comfortable living without running water — no shower, sink, or toilet — for up to three weeks!
Comfortable sharing a bedroom with all genders
Comfortable being in a remote, isolated location for up to three weeks
Summer Residency requirements:
Ability to hike 25-30 km in one day, while carrying a heavy backpack (up to 25 kg)
Comfortable walking on uneven mountainous terrain with no trails
Comfortable crossing swift-water rivers
Winter Residency requirements:
Familiarity with moving by-foot across snow-covered terrain—e.g., cross country skiing at a beginner level
Comfortable riding snowmobiles, preference given to those who can drive a snowmobile
Resources Provided:
All food (accommodating to vegetarian, gluten, and dairy preferences, with previous arrangements).
Accommodation at the field site (in a remote, off-the-grid cabin)
Snowmobile transportation to the field site when possible
Basic safety equipment—e.g., inReach, first-aid kit, satellite phone, polar bear protection
Technical equipment—e.g., skis, spikes, high-powered headlamps, pulk, backpack
Art materials and supplies up to 3000 nok
Polar bear and basic Arctic safety training
Shared studio space while in Longyearbyen
Four nights of accommodation in Longyearbyen
Resources NOT Provided:
Return travel costs to/from Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Any additional special dietary needs
All personal gear—e.g., clothing, footwear, toiletries, sleeping bag
Application details and how to apply:
This residency requires resilience, curiosity, and comfort with rugged, communal living in remote conditions. Applicants must have strong interest in working alongside scientists and contributing to hands-on environmental monitoring. Prior field experience is beneficial but not required.
Application deadline: December 8, 2025
To apply please send a cover letter, CV/portfolio, and responses to application questions below to:
residencies@articasvalbard.no and samantha.dwinnell@gmail.com
Application Questions:
Describe your artistic interests and how a residency in Svalbard would contribute to your artistic objectives?
What do you envision a three weeks field-based residency to be?
Why are you interested in integrating science into your creative work?
Describe a similar experience you have, based on the description of this residency.
Which period are you most interested in joining, and why?
Do you have funding to cover travel and material costs? If not, will you require a letter of intent from Artica?
If you have any further questions, email: samantha.dwinnell@gmail.com or info@articasvalbard.no
This residency is supported by the Svalbard Environmental Fund
All images by Maggie Coblebtz