DIVA, (Danish International Visiting Artists Exchange Programme), an artist-in-residence-programme in Denmark, was established in 2009 by the Danish Arts Council to encourage the exchange between Danish and foreign artistic life. The programme was developed from the positive experiences from a similar programme, which at first was established within the area of the visual arts. DIVAÕs residency program expanded this model to invitee artists working acriss the fields of visual arts, music, literature and performing arts.

The Danish Arts Foundation handles all secretarial functions of the Danish Arts council regarding applications for the DIVA-programme. For further information about the DIVA-programme, potential residents can contact the Danish Arts FoundationÕs specialist staff.

DIVA’s main aim is to further dialogue within the arts, by introducing foreign artists to Danish artists and the Danish arts scene, and encourage them to actively contribute to the development of the arena.

The programme makes it possible for art and culture institutions, municipalities and other relevant professional players acting as hosts, to invite foreign artists and artistic groups within the sphere of the Danish Arts Council (i.e. visual arts, music, literature and performing arts) to stay and work in Denmark for a longer period of time, typically 1-6 months.

Only Danish institutions and other professional players can apply. Therefore potential residents, working in the field of visual art, must contact a Danish art institution or other art professionals in order to enter into the DIVA-programme. The Danish host will act as a collaborative partner during the resident’s stay, and will work out a clear scheduled programme as well as introduce the foreign artist to the Danish art scene.

The DIVA-programme is a great opportunity for foreign artists to explore and enter into the Danish art sphere. The outcome of the residency, involving exhibitions, talks, performances and other artistic projects, often have an extending character that goes beyond the length of the scheduled residency. Often residents establish contacts during theit stay in Denmark that furthers a continuing dialogue between the foreign artist and Danish collaborative partners.

The DIVA-grant covers travelling expenses, accommodation, and pays the artists a monthly fee of DKK 10,000. The grant furthermore pays a monthly amount of DKK 5,000 to those institutions hosting the artists to cover administrative expenses in connection with the programme.

Each year, approximately 25-30 foreign artists come to Denmark with financial support from the programme.