Apply for the Swedish History Museum’s Artist-in-Residence 2026

The Swedish History Museum in Stockholm is seeking a professional artist for a four-week residency in autumn 2026. The assignment is to carry out an artistic exploratory project inspired by the museum’s Gold Room, resulting in a contemporary artwork. The work will then be presented and exhibited at the museum during autumn/winter 2026–27.

Historiska museet

The Swedish History Museum is Sweden’s museum of history and archaeology. The collections contain more than ten million objects, from the Ice Age to the present day. Here you’ll find Sweden’s oldest preserved garments, Viking treasures, relics, altarpieces, unique Madonnas, and much more.

The museum is part of the government agency National Historical Museums.

About the Gold Room

Discover the museum’s treasury. The collections include 52 kilos of gold and more than 200 kilos of silver, much of which is displayed in the Gold Room. Here you can see three rare gold collars from the Migration Period, silver jewellery from the Viking Age, and reliquaries set with precious stones from the Middle Ages. Sweden has one of Europe’s richest collections of prehistoric gold and silver.

Why we invite an artist

The residency is part of our work to develop the museum’s public engagement. Through art, we aim—together with an invited artist—to open up new ways of encountering and reflecting on history. We especially welcome artistic work that builds bridges between past and present.

About the open call

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a professional artist with a degree from an art academy or equivalent education
• Wants to explore objects and stories from the Gold Room through their artistic practice
• Wants to contribute to the museum’s public programme by exhibiting the work and participating in activities for adult audiences

The Swedish History Museum offers:

• A four-week residency in autumn 2026 (28 September – 23 October)
• Workspace in the museum’s workshop/studio and an office space
• Free access to exhibitions, audio guides, and programmes
• Guidance and support from the museum’s public engagement and curatorial teams
• Taxable grant: SEK 25,000
• Production support: up to SEK 5,000
• Exhibition compensation according to the MU Agreement (current levels, approx. SEK 5,900 per week)
• Exposure and promotion through the museum’s digital channels

Please note: Travel, accommodation, and meals are not included. The museum will not purchase the completed artwork.

The artist is expected to:

• Create a work during the residency inspired by objects and stories in the Gold Room
• Exhibit the work at the museum from 3 December 2026 to 10 January 2027
• Participate in at least one public programme for adult audiences (e.g. artist talk, guided tour)
• Contribute content to the museum’s social media
• Possibly lead an internal workshop for National Historical Museums staff
• Submit a short written reflection after the residency
• Approve documentation of the artwork for use in external marketing

How to apply

Your application must include:

• Name, address, personal identity number
• A short statement of motivation (max 2,500 characters), a proposed approach, and a description of the ideas you wish to develop and your expectations of the residency (max 4,500 characters)
• CV describing your artistic background
• Max. 3 examples of previous work, with links to sketches, images, or artworks where applicable

Note: Do not exceed the character limits. Overlong applications will not be reviewed.

Practical information

• Application period opens: 13 April
• Deadline: 4 May
• Email your application as a PDF to: registrator@shm.se
• Subject line: Konstnärsresidens på Historiska museet, Dnr: 4.2.0-00282-2026. no.: 4.2.0-00282-2026

Contact person: Anna Westerberg Davidson, anna.westerberg.davidson@shm.se or +46 (0)8-519 556 48

Selection criteria

• Practical and financial feasibility
• Artistic quality
• Relevance to the Swedish History Museum and the Gold Room

Selection process

• The selection is made by an internal jury consisting of representatives from museum management, collections, and public engagement departments.
• The decision will be announced no later than 16 June and cannot be appealed.
• All applicants will be notified once a decision has been made.

We look forward to your application!