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WHERE THE FOREST MEETS THE SEA
LOCATION & STUDIOS
Most our artist in residence comes from visual or performance art this does not exclude other forms. We can also host duos or groups. Up to 9 artists at the same time. If larger group we can assist with finding accommodation in the area.
We have had nearly 200 artists since the start in 2020. At BKN you will always meet Stockholm based artists in addition to international. You need to be willing to communicate in English.
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Host organization is a not for profit artist run organisation: Björkö Konstnod (est 2020)
Name of studios: BKN
Exhibiting practice: Special programs on an off the island
Address: Björkö Konstnod, Simpnäsvägen 739, 764 53 Björkö, Sweden
Digital address/Plus Code:
V26Q+R3 Skeninge >>>
Public Transportation:
Metro redline/Bus 676, Bus 636 - the trip fro central station Stockholm takes about 2 1/2 hours.
Bus stop: Björkö-Arholma Skola (Björkö-Arholma School) is the name of the bus stop. It is right on the doorstep of BKN. (sl.se, Stockholm-Norrtälje bus 676, Norrtälje-Björkö 636)
BKN is embedded in a rural costal area during the winter months this means no light pollution and almost a silent zone. 300 people live through out Björkö. In the extended month of July (midsummer to mid August its about 5000)
More about BKN and Björkö >>>
BKN transcend the mere provision of production spaces; they offer participants the freedom to explore and experiment across a range of disciplines. By welcoming multiple guests at once, these programs create fertile ground for creative exchange, where artists can connect, share their processes, and unlock new directions for their work. This collaborative environment fosters continuous feedback, helping participants refine their practices, acquire new techniques, and elevate the quality of their production. By the program's end, artists not only experience personal and professional growth but also broaden their networks and gain exposure across diverse platforms.
Fair Studios is a concept that places the artist at the center, promoting a responsible social, economic, and environmental impact. BKN provides a unique opportunity for artists to focus on their practice while experiencing life in the serene Northern Archipelago of Stockholm, where the Forest meets the Sea, fields, and lakes in a peaceful rural setting.
BKN cultivates a peer-based environment built on the idea of "thinking together, learning together," fostering this atmosphere through informal sessions and public outreach. It serves as a resource and public forum for exploring and experimenting, encouraging participants to engage with site-sensitive exploration or focus on specific conditions unique to BKN. As part of the program, artists are required to meet with a curator during the assessment process to ensure the project's alignment with BKN’s ethos.
BKN encourages experimentation and creative development in a nurturing environment. With a strong focus on collaboration and artistic growth, BKN facilitates community engagement through exhibitions, workshops, and artist talks, providing valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration. Committed to sustainability and inclusivity, Fair Studios offers a welcoming environment where artists can flourish and expand their creative practices.
During your stay at BKN, you'll have access to a range of facilities, including a wood workshop, darkroom/photolab, loom, yard, nature areas, and presentation/workshop spaces, along with some video equipment, in addition to your personal studio.
2024 BKN Studios Grants:
AiR BKN provides a number of studio grants per year. BKN covers cost for studio, accommodation, and shared spaces artist become member 100 sek + pay 500 as a development fee, total 600 (regardless duration)
In some cases we expand studio grant with a stipend. We are happy to support artists application for funding. AiR BKN usually duration: 1-2 months
In addition we offer AiR BKN stay at a reasonable cost:
Cost for a studio per week: Visiting artists cover rental (studios vary in size the cost for 2024 is between 500 sek and 2000 sek per week) and 100 sek membership + 500 sek as a development fee, total 600 (regardless duration). We do give studio grants then each artist pays 600 sek.
Curatorial meetings/studio visits and darkroom use in addition to costs above. If you want to apply coming in on your own funding first write to curator@bjorkokonstnod.se
Concept of Fair Studios: Regardless weather its a directed or self directed residency BKN practice FAIR STUDIO experience with support from fellow artists and dedicated time with the curator. The rural location and embeddedness in nature calls for vigilence towards the environment we kindly ask artists share knowledges, skills and approaches towards each others practices.
BKN is a safe space working towards a sustainable practice. We keep the premises as friendly as possible for people with allergies there for no pets allowed. For other accessibility please write to info@bjorkokonstnod.se
AiR BKN ARTISTS, SELECTION
Since we opened up in July 2020 we have had more than 140 artists that stayed with us for 2 weeks or more. In addition we have had guest artists and curators for shorter sessions.
Some of the artists: Rebekah Dean (uk), Monika Tobel (uk), Antonia Aitken (au), Belinda Morén (se), Mai S Keldsen (dk), Aurike Quintelier (be), Sibylle Feucht (de), Melissa Vandenberg (us), Zoey Hart (us), Inga Manticas (us), Klara Waara (se/nl),Thomas Wågström (se), Gerhard Kowald (au), Bilyana Furnadzhieva (fr/bg), Katarzyna Łukasiewicz (pl), Ami Skånberg (se), Renn Simmons (usa), Scott Hunt (uk), Zoey Hart (us), Christoph Mügge (se), Louise Shaw (uk), Katarzyna Łukasiewicz (pl), Juanma González (se), Mark Rautenbach (sa), Naheli Chavoya (ir/me), Cecilia Hedlund (se), Fernanda Branco (no/ b), Alex Hawthorn (us), Janice Jensen (de)
RESOURCES
BKN
Many of the projects created at BKN interlinks with new materialsim - artists come from a number of fields including, photography, drawing, painting, performance, walking and walking practices and critical, ecology and socially engaged approaches.
We are looking for artists at every stage of their artistic life willing to be vulnerable and listen as they learn. We are most often not asking you to produce work but to expand your practice. We often do share sessions over joint meals or walks at times we do studiovisits, invite the community to interventions or simply take part of our practice.
BKN offers studio grants in return you help keeping BKN at its best by donating about an hour a week during your stay to things that needs to be done. Together we are BKN.
The residency is situated in a silent zone, during the darker half year you can really see the starts as the light solution is very low.
Professionalism
- BKN is committed to continuous professional development and enhancement of knowledge and skills. We listen to each other and are responsive to artists’ needs and changes in the field.
Transparency
We believe in the value of clear, accurate and proactive communication
Sustainability
We strive to improve the resources available and to map out a ways of limiting or ecological foot print.
Member of the networks:
Made possible in 2024 with support/in collaboration with:
Previous support from:
WE ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR
DEC 2024 -JAN 2025
OPEN CALL:
WINTER ARCHIPELAGO GRANT
Dec 2024 to Jan 15 2025 form >>>
INFO ON RESARTIS.ORG >>>
July 1-August 15 Summer rent open to all artists, process of selecting starts Jan 15th, 2025.
OPEN CALLS/STUDIO GRANT
SAA/Stockholm Area Artists - BKN. Send email us
Studio minimum 2 weeks.
AiR BKN email: info@bjorkokonstnod.se
Left row: View Kamchatka Lounge for Artists and Other Stranded Creatures.
Right row: View entrance and main building
Left: View Studio 3, main building
Right View landing to studio 22, annex
Studio 1
Photo: Ami Skånberg
Björkö various seasons
. . .
contact: info@bjorkokonstnod.se