Värnamo 33197
Sverige
Hours: Monday–Sunday 10am–4pm
Applications are now open for the fourth edition of the Bruno Mathsson Design Residency in Värnamo, Sweden. The purpose of the residency is to offer an internationally working designer time for research, development, networking, and focus in a stimulating architectural environment, within the context of Vandalorum Museum of Art and Design and the extensive manufacturing industry of the region.
All international designers based outside Sweden are welcome to apply. The resident is offered the opportunity to stay for a month (May 2027) in a groundbreaking house designed by the influential architect and furniture designer Bruno Mathsson (1907—88). The house, from 1955, is located in Bruno Mathsson's hometown of Värnamo in Småland, and was originally commissioned by Sven Lundh (founder of Källemo and initiator of Vandalorum).
The Bruno Mathsson Design Residency is run by the Region Jönköping County and Vandalorum Museum of Art and Design. During the residency period, the designer is offered visits to the extensive furniture and manufacturing industry in the Jönköping region, based on the designer's choices and interests. The designer is also offered a tour of Bruno Mathsson's private home and the Mathsson Center, and is invited to give a public lecture at Vandalorum during the residency period.
Information about the Bruno Mathsson Design Residency
Location: Värnamo is a town situated in the middle of Småland, about 390 km from Stockholm and 230 km from Copenhagen. The region features a mix of forests and lakes. / Language: English, Swedish / Founded: 2023 / Previous recipients: Maria Jeglinska-Adamczewska (2026), Maria Bruun (2025), Stephen Burks (2024) / Duration: One month. The dates for 2027 are May 1–June 1.
Who can apply
All international designers based outside of Sweden can apply. You need to have completed your studies and work professionally in the field of design.
What is included
Included in the residency are travel to and from Värnamo, Sweden, a month-long stay at the Bruno Mathsson house (as the only occupant), and a stipend of 20,000 SEK to cover living expenses, additional travel, and other personal or professional expenses.
Deadline: The application deadline is October 30, 2026. The selected designer for the 2027 residency will be notified within 8 weeks from the application deadline.
Application guidelines
Please send the following application documents, as a single PDF to bildochform@rjl.se
–Project outline specifying why you want to take part of the residency and what you hope to achieve during the residency period (300–500 words)
–CV
–Portfolio (10–15 images)
Jury: Dr. Mateo Kries, Director, Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein / Maria Bruun, designer and Bruno Mathsson Design Residency recipient 2025, Copenhagen / Lennart Alves Gernes, Art and Design Developer, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping / Elna Svenle, Museum Director, Vandalorum, Värnamo.
Quote from former residency recipient Maria Bruun: “For me, the Bruno Mathsson Residency was a unique opportunity to immerse myself in a significant chapter of furniture design history. It offered me the chance to explore the Swedish and Scandinavian approach to form, light and materials by experiencing Mathsson’s unique vision firsthand in Värnamo. It is an opportunity for designers to delve into history in order to shape the future.”
About Vandalorum: Vandalorum Museum of Art and Design opened in 2011 and is located in Värnamo, Sweden. The museum was built according to an original architectural concept by Renzo Piano, and has a garden by Piet Oudolf. More info about the residency here.
Questions: Questions regarding the residency can be emailed to lennart.alvesgernes@rjl.se.
The Bruno Mathsson Design Residency is run by Region Jönköping County and Vandalorum Museum of Art and Design, with support from Region Jönköping County and Värnamo Municipality, in collaboration with the entrepreneur and collector Johan Sjöberg, Bruno Mathsson International, and the Karin and Bruno Mathsson Foundation.
