WHERE THE SEA MEETS THE FOREST

SV/EN

We are looking for artists at every stage of their artistic life for various programs

As long as you are passionate about the art, willing to be vulnerable and listen as they learn.
Most our artist in residence comes from visual or performance art this does not exclude other forms. We can also host duos or
groups. Up to 9 artists at the same time. If larger group we can assist with finding accommodation in the area.

NEW CALLS >>>

 
 STUDIOS / RESIDENCY / PROGRAM 

The main objective of BKN is to provide an opportunity to, within the stay, focus on, the aristic practice and experience life in the Northern Archipelago of Stockholm - where the sea meets the forest, fields, and lakes - a peaceful rural milieu. Proposed project should relate to site-sensitve exploration, argue why the residency site is of interest or entail working with strands of various communitiesEstablished in 2020,  AiR BKN supports artists of diverse ages, backgrounds, and disciplines in the exploration and expansion of their creative practices and the production of new bodies of work. The program aims to foster the development of each artist’s voice, providing an environment that actively supports experimenting, taking risks, and pursuing new ideas. Providing the critical components of time, space, and community, the Program encourages significant creative, intellectual, and professional growth. Or house motto is "thinking together learning together".  

During 2020-2022 we have offered more than 100 studio grants in addition we are constantly working towards finding complementary grants. We have had collaborations on directed residences with suport from  Swedish Arts Grant Committee, Region Stockholm and SWAN. Some artists have come on grants that they arranged themselves. Since 2022 we are also part of Nordic Analog Network. For info on calls >>>

  MISSION  

  • Our mission is to provide affordable project studios and at the same time create a vivid community on the island and amongst our visitors and artists. We are even exlploring the format of Fair Studios (at all times thing what could be made better for our artists).
  • The not for profit Björkö Konstnod/BKN was established as a not-for- profit in 2020.
  • To explore rural costal region in Sweden as site for contemporary art and photography.
  • Education & exhibitions for professionals and local community.


  RESIDENCY 

  • The residency is predominantly self directed with in the focus of the open call. We honor a helpful and socially inclusive policy. Our house policy is "Thinking together, learning together". BKN aims at being able in the future to provide a directed residency. AiR BKN directed calls have included "Out of Rock" and in 2022 "Nature Nurture"
  • Artists participate in maintaining a well functioning workpace.
  • Often artists meet up for meals prepaired jointly or separately. As artists arrive or leave there can also be occations due to transit where you are alone for a day or two.
  • In total there are in total 7 studios (12-76 sqm) 3-4 of them are residency studios, the in addition to a crafts studio/wood workshop, basic pod/vlog/video/photography also used as co-workingspace/conference room.  Artists use the same kitchen and showers and is assigned a semi private toilet.
  • Accomodation the artist rent cabin on the island or basic in studio arrangement.

  LOACATION  

  • The small island, Björkö, is situated in the north part of Stockholm archipelago, in the municipallity of Norrtälje, Sweden. In the area there are several natural nature trails, national parks, lakes and the Åland Sea
  • Björkö together with Arholma has less than 400 people living year around. July is the peak summer holliday season with lots of art and craft events as well as fleamarkets.
  • You reach BKN by the larger Stockholm public transportation system. In the summer its also possible to get here by boat  from Stockholm and then a buss on the island.
  • Address: BJÖRKÖ KONSTNOD, Simpnäsvägen 739, SE-764 53 Björkö SWEDEN
  • The island has primeval forests with freshwater lakes, secluded beaches and a quarry for granit (was in use 1907-1923/24)



 COST OF STUDIO 

  • For 2020-2022 we provide a studio grant. Each artists pays a development fee of 500 sek and a membeship feer of the not for profit the 100 sek/calendar year.  The studio grant  is made possible with support from Leader Stockholmsbygd and The European fund for countryside development in close collaboration with the municipality of Norrtälje. The aim is to be able to continue this praxis post 2022.
  • BKN is happy to provide document for grant application or travel support, please consider to do so in a timely manner. In some cases we can offer a stipend in addition to studio grant, the call will clearly state if this is the case.


 PREMESIS 


Bulding 1927
  • Studio 1,  2 rooms  20 sqm (can be joint to studio 1 or 3 if needed)
  • Studio 3, 67 sqm
  • Studio 35, 76 sqm 
  • Studio Kamchatka - Lounge for Artists and Other Stranded Creatures.
  • Studio 5,  12 sqm 
  • Studio 15, 12 sqm 
  • Workshop, wood/crafts
  • Loom (need to be assembled)
  • Darkrooms >>>
  • Kitchen, shower, toilets and laundry room, wifi

Building 1917

  • Studio 28, 20 sqm
  • Studio 22 50 sqm separate bedroom. Studio is a walk through for Studio 28 to go to bathroom.
  • Studio Björkö - at times used as AiR Studio and at other times as presentation/workshop space.


They yard:
  • Soccer field (small) can be converted into field for volleyball or badminton
  • Basket ball court (junior, asphalt)
  • Bikes
  • One shed (not heated workspace)
  • Flagpole
  • Lawn, cusping bedrock and forest
  • Parking lot (gravel)
  • Pre-school with separate yard ( @ 3-5 kids)
  • Wifi
  • BBQ/grill area
  • Temporary sulpture park
  • Summer gallery (July only)

Exhibitions & Performances:
The exhibition program at BKN goes by the name HYBRID. It is a transformative, dynamic space for art that engages with life and nature; a space for developing concepts of community and poetic investigations. HYBRID seeks to explore and interpret possibilities beyond the violence of algorithms, egoism, deforestation, narrowmindedness and repression. From its core HYBRID extends to sites indoors and outdoors on or off the island.


Close by:
Other community organizations. Visiting artists have used them for recording, performances etc. See "other useful info".
 

Above pdf of floor plans of , names are not matching the listing above as they go under  old names. Sqm and other meassures are acurate. All studios not marked.

 

Support us become an annual member of the not for profit organisation BKN  >>>

 
Artist: Aurike Quintelier Title: Friendly Parasite  Material: Pir based mediaplayer, chicken wire, clay, wool, hemp string

Video on bilyana furnadzhieva work produced at AiR BKN. Music: Viktor Benev


WAP 23 artists  >>>

Artists 2023 >>>

Artists 2022 >>>
Artists 2021 >>>


Artists 2020 >>>

MAGNITUDE  artist booklet >>>

SWAN  >>>

Example projects developed at BKN,

"Friendly Parasite" >>>

"What Is This Place" >>>


 

 RESOURCES 

  • Wood/crafts workshop (limited tools)
  • Darkrooms/Lightroom/Presentation space >>>
  • 1 Loom @ 90 cm wide
  • Wifi  (fiber based broadband)
  • Shared kitchen (2 stoves with ovens, 2 refrigerators/freezers, toaster, food processor, drinking glasses,  mugs, pots and pans, plates, coffee maker, utensils, blender etc)
  • Self maintained bikes
  • BKN works closely with the local community (people and gathering spaces)

We are members of the following networks:

 USEFUL INFO 

  • Cost of living presented in an index for students, with specification of various foods and activities (2020, prices has gone up since) >>>
  • Airports >>>
  • Airport buss to Central Stockholm >>>
  • Public transportation Bus ( ) >>>
    From Central Station Stockholm to buss stop "Björkö-Arholma Skola"
    Make sure to write as above (you will transfere buss in Norrtälje same station, from 676 to 636) Best is to download SL app (black layout).
  • Learn some Swedish >>>
  • Nature trails (year around), in costal and forest areas, all over the island
  • Fishing, swiming (lake/ocean), all over the island (summer and winter)
  • Public Sauna on island Arholma next to Björkö.
  • Local grocery store, 7 km or order food for delivery over internet
  • Museum of seafarers (community), 3 km
  • Kunsthalle (Norrtälje konsthall), 47 km
  • For supplies (arts, crafts, construction) one need to pre-order via internet, or go to Älmsta or Norrtälje)
  • At times we have curated calls but in general it is self directed
  • BKN curator Anna Viola Hallberg has her art studio at the premesis and Jesper Nyrén BKN boardmember has his studio in the area. Rolling schedule Stockholm based artists (PROD BKN)
  • Link list, organisations/museums on Björkö (swe & en links) >>>
  • Link list of art supply stores >>>

 BKN  PART OF RESARTIS 

  • Enable sustainability by providing tools for professional development
  • Respect the regional, cultural and structural diversity of the arts residency field through adherence to our core values
  • Actively engage with and be responsive to needs and changes
  • Ensure transparency through clear communication, the cultural sector and wider public
  • Connect and promote

  • Professionalism
    BKN is committed to continuous professional development and enhancement of knowledge and skills. We listen to each other and are responsive to artists’ needs and changes in the field.
  • Diversity
    BKN actively work towards a diverse definition of the arts and welcome artists complying with a safe and inclusive work atmosphere.
  • Transparency
    We believe in the value of clear, accurate and proactive communication
  • Sustainability
    We strive to improve the resources available and to map out a ways of limiting or ecological foot print.

 ACCESSiBILITY BKN STUDIOS AND YARD 
You come to a safe space. Let us know if you are in need of any assistans or have questions. Depending on where on the premises the performances or studios are located or happen accessibility varies.  Hence we are located on the country side we keep the indoors animal free.
Up on arrival each artist will have a walk through of safty and security procedures.

In light of the global COVID-19 developments, we are monitoring the situation and adapting our practices accordingly. We are dedicated to prioritizing the health and safety of our artists, visitor and staff. Short deadline might appear due to Covid travel restrictions/bans


Prior to applying please update yourself on Swedish national policies, and how they relate to policies of the country you are in.


The organization is not in a position to refund membership/development fee nor to help the artist financially due to canceled flights, hotel etc or other incidents.

BKN including artists and all visitors respects all national, regional or municipal Covid regulations.



. . .

Föreningen Björkö Konstnod         BKNs GDPR policy

BJÖRKÖ KONSTNOD
Visiting/delivery: Simpnäsvägen 739 SE-764 53 Björkö SWEDEN
curator @ bjorkokonstnod.se