Cooperation with HIAP ends

Residential area HIAP Suomenlinna, Helsinki/Finland

Photo: Sirja Moberg / Frame Contemporary Art Finland

The KH Künstler:innenhaus Bremen ended its collaboration in accordance with the cultural authority with the Helsinki International Artist Program HIAP on 12.12.2024. The former partner organization’s accession to the BDS Movement (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) makes it impossible to continue the cooperation.

Künstler:innenhaus Bremen stands for diversity, tolerance and equality. These values shape our understanding of free art and society. Open and respectful cooperation forms the basis of our work. We oppose all forms of discrimination and see ourselves as a meeting place, both locally and internationally. We offer space for exchange - anti-Semitic and Islamophobic positions have no place here.

The “Helsinki Artist Residency”, which took place annually from 2019-2024, offered Bremen artists a three-month residency in Finland. The collaboration with HIAP was extremely well received by the artists and enabled them to deepen their artistic work and network internationally. We regret the end of the very successful funding - this professionalization offer for Bremen artists will be missed.

You can find HIAP’s full statement on becoming an Apartheid Free Zone here ↗.

  • FAQ

    Why is Künstler:innenhaus Bremen ending its collaboration with HIAP?
    The HIAP has decided to join the BDS Movement. BDS calls for an international boycott of Israel, Israeli goods and services, Israeli artists, scientists and athletes. The blanket call for a boycott brands Israeli citizens and people of the Jewish faith as a whole and is classified as anti-Semitic.

    More on anti-Semitism in the BDS movement explains the Federal Agency for Civic Education ↗.

    What is the Künstler:innenhaus Bremen’s position on the HIAP members’ vote?
    Künstler:innenhaus Bremen stands for freedom of expression. We accept HIAP’s decision to join the BDS Movement, but this is the end of our cooperation. Künstler:innenhaus Bremen and HIAP are in a transparent exchange.

    Why does the residency at HIAP appear in the list of projects funded by the Senator for Culture for 2025?
    The jury meeting for the 2025 project funding allocation took place before HIAP joined the BDS Movement. Künstler:innenhaus Bremen is trying to find an alternative international residency cooperation for 2025 and is in consultation with the Senator for Culture to reallocate the funding accordingly.

    Last update 20.12.2024

  • //

    On this page ↗ we inform about the residents of the Helsinki Artist Residency from 2019-2024.

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