Queer Residency at Heima

a residency and cultural exchange for LGBTQIA+ artists and activists in Seyðisfjörður, Iceland
Information available in black and white here (PDF)

timeline

Residency period: 19 September — 31 October 2025

who

Applications are welcomed by all artists and activists from the LGBTQIA+ community that wish to deepen their practice within a collective living environment
In each programme we have 6-7 artists - you can apply as an individual or as a duo
The programme is hosted by Ra Tack (they/them), Ju Canon (they/he) and Bella Podpadec (they/them)

what

A flexible, largely self-guided residency programme, that emerges from the collective input of participants, with emphasis on care and world-building
An opportunity to live and work alongside other LGBTQIA+ artists and activists in a beautiful, remote town in Iceland
We have weekly check-ins, can support exhibitions, film screenings, parties, performances, crits (etc.) and together with you, will run workshops for local Queer youth

where

Seyðisfjörður, is a small town in the east of Iceland, known for its vibrant artistic community, mountains and enduring spirit
The residency is held in Heima - a collectively owned and artist-run, house and studios in the centre of town

when

Seyðisfjörður, is a small town in the east of Iceland, known for its vibrant artistic community, mountains and enduring spirit
The residency is held in Heima - a collectively owned and artist-run, house and studios in the centre of town

why

To give LGBTQIA+ artists and activists the opportunity to live and work alongside each other - to work on their art, projects or research and practice world-building, in community, in a place known for being relatively accepting for LGBTQIA+ folk
To generate dialogue and cultural exchange between international and local members of the LGBTQIA+ community, understanding that our struggles are connected and our liberation bound together
To foster positive representation for LGBTQIA+ people in the East of Iceland, particularly for Queer youth
To build bridges, explore solidarity, allyship and connection: to each other, to our bodies, to the wider world, both within the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond

The residency supports participants in to sharing work via exhibitions, screenings, performances,
lectures, workshops, parties and collaboration with a local and global audience - enriching culture
not only for LGBTQIA+ people but for everyone, not just here, but everywhere

costs

A fee of 120.000 ISK (Icelandic Krona, roughly 820EUR) - for housing and studios space for the full 6 weeks and flyers/ posters for events - is to be paid in advance to Heima Collective to secure your space and is nonrefundable
Participants are responsible for their own travel, food, materials and miscellaneous expenses

accessibility

The hosts can speak English, Flemish, French and basic Icelandic
Unfortunately the house is not wheelchair accessible - bedrooms are located up one flight of steep stairs, studios are mostly on the ground floor, with a low and narrow door to enter
The town can get get very icy / snowy
We aim to have at least one supported, low income space available - please indicate if you require this - or if you would be open to paying more to help support an artist who might not otherwise be able to join please indicate
Families, carers and people in need of support workers are welcome to apply - please
The hosts are neurodivergent and aim to make the residency accessible in this respect
Please let us know any further access needs and how we might better support you in joining us!

the town

Seyðisfjörður is a vibrant, port town and community of about 600 people in the East Fjords
Historically known as a fishing town, the main industry is now tourism but also famed for the number of artists passing through, living and making work
The town has a large number of amenities for a place this size, including: a pool, gym, cinema, school, general store, community centre, pharmacy, art centre, art school, print workshop, wellness centre, wood and metal workshops, town hall, bank, sports hall, library and ski slope
There is a bus that runs regularly over the mountain to the larger town of Egilsstaðir
You can fly from Reykjavik to Egilsstaðir, there is also a ferry from Denmark that docks in town
Occasionally the mountain pass - Fjarðarheiði - is closed due to exceptionally bad weather, cutting Seyðisfjörður off from the rest of the country
Some parts of town can be evacuated after heavy weather due to avalanche or mudslide risk (the residency is in one of the safest zones so this is unlikely to impact the programme)

the house

Heima is an independent, non-profit, artist-run, collective house founded in 2013
The space is a 350m₂ - living and studios
The living space: downstairs there is a living room, dining room, shower room and fully equipped kitchen. On the floors above there is another shower room and 6 bedrooms - single and double occupancy (all linens and towels provided)
Soundproofing is minimal - you can hear everything!
In the past participants have created cooking and cleaning rotas, sharing most meals and household chores
On the east side of the house is the studio space: three small private studios, two bigger communal studios, a cozy hang out space with a fireplace, a work-and tool space, a laundry room and a small storage cave
We have a small garden with a big tree and a rose bush and a big terrace on the south side of the house

how to apply

Please submit one PDF document titled LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_QRH_Application
If you would rather submit in audio or video format you are more than welcome!
In this document include the following

500 words max. - letter of motivation: why you want to take part and your experience with collectivity
500 words max. - project, practice or research description: what you want to do here
500 words max. - short biography including any information you find relevant for us to get a sense of who you are (you could include: age / nationality / language(s) / pronouns / education / experience etc.)
Documentation of your work (images / links / websites etc.)
Extra information (an emergency contact, access needs, if you need the financially supported space or if you are up for paying more to support someone)

Please send applications to queer@h-e-i-m-a.com
Any questions please feel free to reach out to us at the same address
We look forward to hearing from you!

Design by: Ju Canon and Dæja Arndis Ýr

This residency is supported by Austurbrú and Múlaþing