1. Kuš! Comics Residency

    Illustration: Rebeka Lukošus

  2. Open Call February-December 2023

    Illustration by Zlata Novikova (UA)

    Open call for comic artist residencies in Riga from February - December 2023.

    The kuš! Comics Residency is open for applications from February - December 2023! Organised in collaboration with ISSP, kuš! will continue to host comic artists in our residency apartment in the centre of Riga. This is a wonderful opportunity for artists to focus on their personal projects in an inspiring environment away from home. In addition, ISSP is hosting photographers, which creates extra opportunities for interdisciplinary interaction between the residency participants. 

    This time we only have 6 places left to offer, as we already filled the rest with previous applicants, who had to cancel because of covid restrictions.

    Who can apply?

    Comic artists and other professionals working in the field of comic books may apply. This open call is for artists from all around the world. Artists from the Baltic Sea region may be prioritized, in case they have the same qualifications.

    Duration 

    One or two months. The residency calendar is based on full month slots, fromt the first to last day of the month.

    What we provide:

    - A private room in a comfortable apartment in the center of Riga; 
    - A part-time staff member to provide local support;
    - Individually we can agree with the residents to set up an exhibition, a public talk, or a workshop to meet with the local art scene;
    - Promotion of your project on our social media accounts;
    - The possibility to use the library and extra equipment at the kuš! office;
    - Invitation letter so that you can apply for public funding.

    What we expect from you:

    - You work on your own comic book project (no relation to kuš! needed!);
    - To be open to present your work to the local audience 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

    One month at the residency costs 350 euros. A partial advance will be payable to confirm the participation. 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.

    Nordic Grant

    One selected artist from a Nordic country will get to stay free of charge and receive a stipend and travel costs covered by Nordic Culture Point.

    Accommodation and facilities

    The artists-in-residence will reside in a spacious apartment located in the city center, which will be shared with two other residents in the field of comics and/or photography. Facilities: private bedroom, table, shared living room, fireplace, 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.

    Covid-19

    In order to make most of your residency and keep everyone safe, we currently only accept applicants that are fully vaccinated and have a valid Covid Certificate. Official information on the current entry regulations and the situation in Latvia you can find here: https://covid19.gov.lv/en

    Project Partner ISSP

    ISSP is an international platform for contemporary photography, based in Latvia. ISSP offers top-quality education and networking programmes for photographers, organises residencies, exhibitions and events, and creates new ways to promote the cross-border exchange of ideas in the art of photography.

    Support

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

    https://www.nordiskkulturkontakt.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Culture_ENG_SMALL.jpg

    Apply!

    Please submit the APPLICATION FORM by 5 December 2022. The results will be announced in the end of December.

    Questions?

    Write us to komikss(at)gmail.com

  3. Previous Residents

    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. 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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