1. Kuš! Comics Residency

    Illustration: Marco Quadri

    Between 2019 and 2024, we hosted 77 artists from all around the globe. It was an incredibly inspiring time, leading to exciting new comics, collaborations, workshops, artist talks, exhibitions, and many new friendships.

    In May 2025 the residency continues thanks to the funding of Latvian State Culture Capital Fundation (SCCF). 

    Find info about applying for the free December 2025 slot below.

     

  2. Open Call December 2025

    Illustration:  Rebeka Lukošus 

    Open call for the Kuš! Comics Residency in Riga in December 2025

    There is one free spot at the Kuš! Comics Residency in December 2025! Organised in collaboration with ISSP, and TUR telpa, Kuš! continues to host comic artists in our residency apartment in Riga, Latvia. This opportunity is aimed for artists to focus on their personal projects in an inspiring environment away from home. 

    Who can apply?

    Comic artists and other professionals working in the field of comics are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to artists from the Baltic Sea region and Central and Eastern Europe.

    Duration 

    One month. The residency calendar is organized in full-month slots, typically running from the first to the last day of each month.

    What we provide:

    - A private room in a comfortable apartment in the center of Riga; 
    - A residency coordinator to provide local support;
    - Promotion of your project on our social media accounts;
    - The possibility to use the library and extra equipment at the kuš! office;
    - An inspiring environment among the residents of ISSP and TUR telpa;
    - Invitation letter so that you can apply for public funding.

    What we expect from you:

    - You work on your own comics project (no relation to kuš! needed!);
    - To be open to present your work to the public in the form of an artist talk or other public event; 
    - Please bring one of your zines/books to leave at the residency library.

    Costs

    The residency is funded by State Culture Capital Fundation and you can stay  for free. Applying for the residency is free of charge.

    The selected participants will need to cover their travel and production costs themselves. You'll get an official invitation letter from us, which you may use to apply for funding.

    Accommodation and facilities

    The artists-in-residence will reside in a spacious apartment close to the city centre (Brīvības Street 190, Riga), which will be shared with two or three other residents in the field of photography and contemporary art. Facilities: private bedroom, table, shared living room, bathroom, kitchen, wi-fi, scanner, black/white DeskJet printer, light box, bicycle.

    Host town

    Riga is the capital of Latvia, a country in the North-East of Europe next to the Baltic Sea. The city hosts an active cultural scene with plenty to discover. The countryside, with beautiful forests and beaches, can easily be reached by public transport.

    Apply!

    Please submit the APPLICATION FORM by 12 October 2025. The results will be announced as soon as possible. 

    Questions?

    Write us to kushmens(at)gmail.com

  3. Previous Residents

    2025
    etchingroom1 (UA)
    Ruei Yi Fang (TW)
    Henna Räsänen (FI/DE)
    Yulia Vus (UA)
    Harukichi (JP)
    Ivo Puiupo (PT/BR)
    Ula Rugevičiūtė Rugytė (LT) 

    2024 
    Eric Kostiuk Williams (CA)
    Bim Eriksson (SE)
    Carlo Carnevale (IT)
    Caroline Cash (US)
    Giovanna Fabi (IT)
    Hadeer Ali (US)
    James Collier (CA)
    Jonas Fischer (DE)
    Luise Schaller (DE)
    Malwine Stauss (DE)
    Giulia Cellino (IT)
    Yina Kim (US)

    2023
    Alyona Yekimova (UA) 
    Antony Reznik (UA)
    Anu Ambasna (UK)
    Asuka Okajima (JP)
    Bohdana Zaiats (UA)
    Chris Sperandio (USA)
    Ciara Quilty-Harper (ES)
    David Krančan (SI)
    Gina Wynbrandt (USA)
    Jakub Plachý (CZ)
    Joonas Sildre (EE)
    Keith Kavanagh (IE)
    María Victoria Rodriguez (ARG)
    Mia Oberländer (DE)
    Michelle Kwon (USA)
    Sui Lam (HK)
    Susanna Kesänen (FI)
    Valentin Verron (FR)

    2022
    Ana Margarida Matos (PT)
    Greta Alice (LT)
    Tim Ng Tvedt (NO)
    Omar Cheikh (IT)
    Magdalena Kaszuba (DE)
    Viktorija Eziukas (LT)
    Zody Burke (USA)
    Disa Wallander (SE)
    Marco Quadri (IT)
    Tereza Šiklová (CZ)
    Janne Marie Dauer (DE)
    Zlata Novikova (UA)
    Jordan Troy Biko (UK)
    Evangelos Androutsopoulos (FI/GR)

    2021
    Anastasia Stročkova (CZ)
    Aapo Rapi (FI)
    Chiara Dal Maso (IT)
    Cristina Pirvu (RO)
    Emma Roulette (USA/ES)
    Jyrki Nissinen (FI)
    Klára Zahrádková (CZ)
    Mila Yaneva (BG)
    Zsófi Rumi (HU)

    2020
    Amanda Vähämäki (FI)
    Chika Annen (JP/UK)
    Emil Friis Ernst (DK)
    Greta Alice (LT)
    Hans Lichtenwagner (DE)
    Jurijs Tatarkins (LV)
    Matei-Ioan Monoranu (RO)
    Milena Simeonova (BG)
    Ward Zwart (BE)
    Weng Pixin (SG)

    2019
    Bailey Sharp (USA/AU)
    Nathan Cowdry (UK)
    Scott Travis (USA/UK)


    Illustration: Mārtiņš Zutis

  4. Support

    In the period from July 2021 - December 2023 the residency was supported by Nordic Culture Point (project "United Riga Residency for photographers and illustrators").

  5. Testimonials

    - Bailey Sharp, cartoonist from Georgia, USA, living in Melbourne, Australia. Co-art editor of The Lifted Brow and part of GLOM PRESS, kuš! resident in December 2019.

    "The accommodation itself was generous, I had plenty of working space and the apartment was well looked after. Grocery stores, art supplies, cafes and cheap food spots were just a few minutes walk away, as was the tram into the city (though I usually found it possible to walk everywhere I wanted to go). It was the ideal place to be shacked up, even in the notoriously cold Latvian winter. Overall I loved it, 10/10! Go if you can."

    .

    Illustration: Oskars Pavlovskis

     

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