Sansusī Wellbeing Residency
Born from the spirit of the alternative chamber music festival “Sansusī,” our residency center “Susēja” has grown from a home for festival-specific creations into a versatile, year-round platform for creative processes. Surrounded by the inspiring landscape of Sēlija, Sansusī offers a sanctuary where artists can fully dedicate themselves to research, experimentation, and meaningful exchanges of ideas. We believe that art thrives outside traditional institutional walls, and by fostering an active, respectful dialogue between contemporary artists and the community, we can directly contribute to individual and collective well-being.
The Sansusī Wellbeing Residency is a socially engaged contemporary art residency program operating since 2018. The residency is implemented in close cooperation with local social and healthcare institutions, including the Aknīste Health and Social Care Center and the Aknīste Psychoneurological Clinic.
Duration of residency
60 days (January 25 – March 25, 2027)
Accommodation
Free lodging at the “Susēja” residency center and access to shared workspaces.
Disciplines, work equipment and assistance The residency welcomes contemporary artists working in performing arts, music, visual arts and interdisciplinary practices. Artists have access to shared workspaces at the Susēja residency centre, while specific equipment requirements should be discussed in advance. Curatorial support and a residency assistant are available throughout the stay, including interpretation, translation, practical guidance, and assistance in working with local partner institutions and target groups. Studio / Workspace Activity Hall – 70 m², equipped with basic sound equipment, a grand piano, a projector, and a printer. Suitable for various indoor activities, seminars, and concerts. Fees and support
• Professional Support: Ongoing curator and assistant support to ensure a safe, respectful, and meaningful collaboration.
• Daily Allowance: €30 per day per resident (totaling €1,800 for the 60-day duration) gross.
• Travel Allowance: €400 (for travel distances under 5,000 km) or €800 (for distances 5,000 km and above).
• Additional Top-ups (if eligible): Green mobility top-up (€400), family top-up (€200 per child), visa top-up (€120), and tailor-made accessibility support based on individual needs.
(Please note: Artists are expected to cover their own food and personal expenses).
Expectations towards the artist
We invite international artists from Creative Europe countries (other than Latvia) who:
• Are interested in socially engaged art practices and working outside traditional art institutions.
• Are ready to collaborate with our local community and target groups (elderly residents, healthcare clients and staff).
• Are capable of leading and facilitating creative workshops, sessions, or activities tailored to the chosen target group.
• Are open to working with the support of a residency assistant, who will act as an interpreter/translator to overcome language barriers and provide practical advice and guidance when needed.
• See the creative process as an active dialogue and are willing to spend at least 8 hours per week interacting with their chosen target group.
• Will present their creative process, ideas, or work-in-progress at the end of the residency (which can stem from their own individual project or a collaborative co-creation developed together with the target groups).
Application information
Applicants should submit a creative CV, an artistic portfolio or a link to their website, and a motivation letter explaining their interest in socially engaged art and their proposed approach to working with the residency’s target groups. Documents should be combined into a single PDF of no more than 10 MB and written in English. Applications must be sent to rezidences@sansusi.lv with the subject line “Sansusī Wellbeing Residency Application_Applicant’s Name”.