Circolo Scandinavo - Scandinavian Association in Rome

What the residency offers

You’ll be staying at a place to live and work in central Rome for at least 2 months, a historic building dating from 1936 on the Aventine Hill. Each resident has their own room with a bed, desk, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. Shared kitchens, a laundry room, a library and workspaces are also available; bed linen and towels are included in the price. The programme offers you the time and space to develop your own artistic work and to get to know other cultures and disciplines. It is run by the Circolo Scandinavo, a Nordic cultural association in Rome, and is partly funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and private Nordic foundations. You pay a subsidised weekly fee, which ranges from around 700 EUR to around 1,000 EUR per month depending on the room type, with lower rates applying from the second week onwards.

Who can apply

• Who it is for: Professional artists and cultural practitioners with links to the Nordic region (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland).
• Field: Open to all artistic and cultural fields, including the visual arts, literature, research and journalism.
• Your project: You have a clearly defined project, and it is an advantage if the work has a connection with Italy or Rome.
• Language: You can apply in English, Swedish, Norwegian or Danish.
• Practical limits: Children under 14 and pets are not permitted, and this historic building has limited level access.

How to apply

You apply by submitting a description of your project. A panel of art experts selects the scholarship recipients based on the quality of the project and its relevance to Italy. You will receive a response 3 months after the application deadline. The application deadlines are usually on 01.02 and 01.04 each year. Please therefore check the current call for applications before planning your stay.

How realistic are your chances?

The residency programme is aimed at professionals with a connection to the Nordic countries and a clearly defined project, meaning the scope is narrower than that of an open scholarship. Nevertheless, it attracts applicants from all artistic disciplines across five countries. A strong, concrete project with a genuine connection to Rome is what sets applicants apart, as the jury also aims to assemble a diverse group in terms of background, age and discipline. Please note that you will be responsible for covering your own living expenses, which are subsidised; please factor this into your application.