Call for Fellows: 2020 ArkDes Fellowship

In 2020 the ArkDes Fellowship offers practitioners, researchers, educators, artists and communicators operating in or around the fields of architecture and design an opportunity to undertake interdisciplinary research at ArkDes, the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design. The second ArkDes fellowship explores the theme Our Living Environment, providing three Fellows with space and resources to conduct exploratory work for a duration of six months in Stockholm.

Architecture and design affects us all, and the power of a well-designed living environment is undisputed. The responsibility of creating these environments is shared by many. And yet the inherent complexity of spaces, places and cities makes this a difficult task. How can conflicting interests be organised as a whole? How can old and new interests meet in a mutually beneficial way? What kinds of spaces can accommodate both artistic quality and a feeling of belonging for citizens? ArkDes invites Fellowship proposals that challenge preconceived ideas both in terms of topic and in research methodology.

In 2018 the inaugural ArkDes Call for Fellows (Projecting the Future) attracted over 200 applications. Three Fellows were selected by an internal and international jury: Karin Reisinger, Sandi Hilal, and Sara Brolund de Carvalho with Action Archive.

Apply!
While the Fellowship application process requires a stipulated or tangible outcome, we expect any possible result of the programme to develop during the Fellows’ time at ArkDes and from conversation with our curators, researchers, and guests. We are excited by the unconventional, experimental and contextually rich; proposals that can concisely advocate for an original position while, at the same time, offer convincing methodologies for research, communication and dissemination.

Information
Fellows will have access to resources within ArkDes, including the library, collection, workspaces, and staff members. A full-time equivalent monthly salary of SEK 33,000 (before taxation) will be made available to successful applicants for the six month Fellowship period, along with one round-trip travel from their country of residence. Fellows will be responsible for finding their own accommodation in Stockholm. Full information about the application and selection process can be found at arkdes.se.

Key Dates
Deadline for applications (online): December 8, 2019, 23:59 (Stockholm time)
Public announcement of Fellows: February 10, 2020
2020 Fellowship: March to November 2020 (six months, full-time, with a formal start and end in March and November 2020, respectively, and flexibility to work in between these dates)

About ArkDes Research and Development
In accordance with the Swedish Government Bill, "Policy for Designed Living Environments" (Politik för gestaltad livsmiljö (Prop. 2017/18:110)), ArkDes has been assigned the task to follow-up and evaluate, strengthen knowledge on, and promote interest in, architecture, form and design values and significance for both individuals and social development at large. The objective of this policy is to facilitate a sustainable, equal and less segregated society through carefully designed living environments, where everyone is given good opportunity to influence the development of the built environment.

About ArkDes
Located in central Stockholm, ArkDes provides an arena for debate and discussion about the future of architecture, design, citizenship and public life. Concurrent to our role as a museum, ArkDes is also a government authority with a unique mandate to advise, impact, and imagine future urban policies in Sweden. We care for and work with a significant national architecture collection and support a research platform dedicated to studying and responding to contemporary urban challenges.