The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes is pleased to announce the open call for its artist residency in Helsinki in spring/summer 2025. Artists are invited to submit proposals that aim to produce collaboratively new ways of knowing microbes with researchers and various publics, opening to non-textual, embodied, and practice-based knowledges.
The CSSM
The CSSM is a hub for social scientists and artists conducting research on human-microbial relations. We aim to develop theory and methods to better make sense of the complex relations between humans, nonhumans, microbes, and their environments. Microbes are not only biological entities but also shape, and are shaped by, social worlds. The Centre explores the profound challenges that relationships with microbes raise for social theory, and which demand new ways for describing and explaining these complex and entwined relations. Not only is this work theoretically motivated, it is critical for developing sustainable methods of planetary co-existence in the Anthropocene. Art has a crucial role in exploring and experimenting with the ways in which these relationships can be known.
Recognising that innovative knowledge requires inclusive and egalitarian ways of knowing, both in relation to microbes as well as scholars and artists, the CSSM puts a strong emphasis on decentralised collaborative practices. The Centre is organised as a network with regular activities. It hosts international research fellows and organises social theory and methodology workshops, academic seminars, and a yearly PhD School. The artist-in-residence will collaborate, influence, and be influenced by ongoing CSSM activities and will take active part in the methodological and conceptual developments at the Centre.
Who can apply
All lines of artistic work that have a microbial focus are eligible. The CSSM adopts a broad understanding of the term artist, inviting individual projects across any art-related discipline. Proposals can engage a wide range of artistic work, including conceptual work, and need not be limited to any media. We welcome applications from emerging, mid-career, and established individual artists, based anywhere in the world, who demonstrate a commitment to the Centre’s intellectual and societal aims. The proposed project could be part of an artistic research dissertation or can also be seen as a possibility to develop the artist’s skills at joining art and science.
Offered by the CSSM
The residency will be 6 months full-time and starts ideally in February or March 2025.
The residency offers artists economic support to work at the CSSM in Helsinki for 6 months at 2.500€ per month, which is meant to cover accommodation and living expenses. If applicable, we will assist you with any necessary visa and travel arrangements prior to the residency. Travel expenses can be covered for artists living outside Finland.
The support can either be paid as a grant that is negotiable with regard to extra costs such as health insurance, or the artist can be employed by the University of Helsinki as non-academic staff with employee benefits such as access to occupational health services. Material and production costs can be discussed depending on project requirements and as needed.
The selected applicant is expected to work in Helsinki, Finland, in order to participate actively in the intellectual and social life of the CSSM, as well as the wider artistic-scientific community across, and beyond, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the University of Helsinki. The working language will be English.
During their stay, the artist will gain access to office space and other university services like libraries and online resources. The residency is especially suitable for research activities related to artistic practice, as the working space we can offer is limited to an office desk space and not an art studio. Participants are expected to acknowledge the CSSM in any output arising from their stay in Helsinki and give an internal demonstration of their work at the end of the CSSM residency. We further expect an artistic outcome of whatever format which can be presented at the art exhibition of the CSSM conference 2026.
How to apply
Please submit your application as a single PDF to cssm@helsinki.fi by 1st of December 2024.
Your application should include:
- a short motivation letter (max. 1 page),
- a draft project proposal (1-2 pages) including a description of intended forms of engagement with the CSSM aligned with the What and the How of the CSSM,
- a portfolio of previous works,
- a CV.
Interviews with short-listed candidates will be held approximately 2 weeks after submission date.
Our selection criteria are commitment, creativity, collaboration with CSSM and engagement with microbes in your practice prior to the call, which we use both for academic and artistic recruitment.
We seek to create a diverse team. In line with this policy, eligible applicants can be of any nationality and gender. The CSSM particularly invites applications from artists from the Global South.
We are looking forward to your applications and aim to get back to you with our decision before Christmas 2024!
