OPEN CALL 2026 / WAVES OF CREATIVITY / FOR THE UKRAINIAN PHOTOBASED ARTISTS
PROJECT SHORT OVERVIEW
Under the leadership of OKAPI NPO and with the support of the Creative Europe programme, an international European cooperation project and residency programme for Ukrainian photographers will begin in 2026, implemented in cooperation with partners in Finland, Germany, and Ukraine. The project helps to intensify international cultural cooperation, strengthen Estonia's role as a supporter of the Ukrainian cultural sector, increase the international visibility of Estonian culture, create new long-term cooperation networks, and support the international integration of Ukrainian creative individuals. The residency programme, running from May to October 2026, includes studio visits, artist talks, and other public events, and each residency group's work period ends with an exhibition in all partner locations. The project concludes with a larger and comprehensive exhibition of the works created during the residencies at two locations in Tallinn: the OKAPI Gallery and the Balti Jaam Art Street. Participants in the project include the Haihatus Art Center and Residency operating in Joutsa, Finland; the arts association Kunstverein Wagenhalle e.V. operating in Stuttgart, Germany; and the Ukrainian partner Odesa Photo Days, which focuses on developing international contacts for Ukrainian photographers and organizes the country's only contemporary photography festival.
Through an open call, nine Ukrainian photographers will be selected who have worked on the front lines or otherwise documented war events during the ongoing war, and who will stay in each residency for six weeks, totaling 18 weeks across the three locations. In addition to creative work, the programme offers artists a professional network, support from local experts and mentors, and regular therapy sessions, as providing psychological support is particularly important for participants coming from difficult circumstances.
/EXPLORE PARTNERS
PROJECT SHORT OVERVIEW
Under the leadership of OKAPI NPO and with the support of the Creative Europe programme, an international European cooperation project and residency programme for Ukrainian photographers will begin in 2026, implemented in cooperation with partners in Finland, Germany, and Ukraine. The project helps to intensify international cultural cooperation, strengthen Estonia's role as a supporter of the Ukrainian cultural sector, increase the international visibility of Estonian culture, create new long-term cooperation networks, and support the international integration of Ukrainian creative individuals. The residency programme, running from May to October 2026, includes studio visits, artist talks, and other public events, and each residency group's work period ends with an exhibition in all partner locations. The project concludes with a larger and comprehensive exhibition of the works created during the residencies at two locations in Tallinn: the OKAPI Gallery and the Balti Jaam Art Street. Participants in the project include the Haihatus Art Center and Residency operating in Joutsa, Finland; the arts association Kunstverein Wagenhalle e.V. operating in Stuttgart, Germany; and the Ukrainian partner Odesa Photo Days, which focuses on developing international contacts for Ukrainian photographers and organizes the country's only contemporary photography festival.
Through an open call, nine Ukrainian photographers will be selected who have worked on the front lines or otherwise documented war events during the ongoing war, and who will stay in each residency for six weeks, totaling 18 weeks across the three locations. In addition to creative work, the programme offers artists a professional network, support from local experts and mentors, and regular therapy sessions, as providing psychological support is particularly important for participants coming from difficult circumstances.
/EXPLORE PARTNERS