Örö is a 2 km² island in the southern outskirts of the Finnish archipelago. Used as a military fortress from the early 1900s until the end of 2014, the island has since been opened for the general public, developing into a popular travel destination. Örö is a part of the Archipelago National Park, administered by the state via Metsähallitus.

Due to being closed for over 100 years, the island’s nature is unusually pristine and home to many rare species. With one side of the island facing the open Baltic Sea and the other side being sheltered by the picturesque lattice of the archipelago, Örö is a concentration of diverse habitats and geotypes. The military history and the ongoing conversion towards nature tourism add more layers to the scenery.

See a comprehensive introduction to Örö on the island’s official pages.

Our main focus is visual artists working in media, video and experimental fields of art, art-science collaborations and other interdisciplinary projects such as bio art and human geography. We also encourage researchers in humanistic and social sciences with an interdisciplinary approach to apply.

Due to the remote location of the island and the quietness of the winter months, the residency programme is more retreat-like and works on a self-service basis. Though not having staff on the island, we are happy to offer the artists help and advice in practical matters and can arrange meetings, contacts and presentations.

The long-term goal of the programme is to develop into a collaborative platform, emphasizing project-based approach and coordinating projects between multiple organizations in the fields of art and research. Currently we are collaborating in residency exchange and exhibition projects with peer AiR organizations in Finland and abroad.

Since 2019 the residency is located in a russian era officer’s house, built in 1914 and renovated in the 80’s and 2019. The house has two apartments, both having two work/bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom with shower. Apartment #1 is larger and is generally shared by two artists or a workgroup, while apartment #2 is more geared for single artists, couples and small families.

Both apartments are equipped with basic furniture, necessities and tools for living and working. Normally the apartments function as a combined work and living space. Upon request, temporary extra working space may be arranged in the nearby buildings.