Liepāja 2027 is inviting two visual artists for a summer residency taking place from July 22 to August 19, 2026. The works created during the residency will become part of the programme of the project “Lāčplēša Garden Festival,” a partner of Liepāja 2027.
The residency theme is ecological restoration, aimed at accelerating environmental transformation and reshaping public perception of Karosta as a place marked by the scars of Soviet occupation in the urban landscape.
Covering roughly one-third of the city, Karosta (War Port) was originally constructed on the Baltic Sea coast in the late 19th century as a formidable naval base. For a century, it remained a heavily restricted military zone, completely cut off from the residents of Liepāja.
When the Soviet Union collapsed and the Russian army withdrew to Kaliningrad in 1994, they left behind elderly relatives and civilian personnel. This population found themselves isolated – unfamiliar with and disconnected from the laws and systems of the newly independent Latvian state – turning Karosta into a socially segregated neighborhood for many years.
The military departure also left a vast landscape of abandoned facilities, many of which fell victim to looting and vandalism. Today, these decaying structures – juxtaposed against forested marshlands, dunes, and wild grasslands – are slowly being reclaimed by nature, creating a unique backdrop that draws curious tourists.
Currently, Karosta is experiencing a modern revival as part of the Liepāja Special Economic Zone. Industrial development is actively reshaping the streetscape and community spaces, bridging the area’s harsh military past with a progressive future.
As a result of the residency, artworks are expected to contribute to changing public perception of Karosta by transforming a degraded former military area into an ecologically healthy, socially safe, and attractive territory. The placement of works outdoors in Lāčplēša Garden requires an environmentally responsible approach. The use of eco-friendly materials and sustainable exhibition methods is encouraged in the creation and display of artworks.
The proposed artworks may be interactive, engaging viewers as active participants, or sculptural, serving as visual anchors in the park’s outdoor environment. Artworks should be designed to allow easy dismantling, transport without heavy machinery, and simple recycling or reinstallation elsewhere.
During the first week of the residency, the artist is expected to give a short presentation (up to 20 minutes) about their previous creative practice and/or their planned artistic concept for Karosta, followed by an open discussion with local residents and art enthusiasts.
The expected life cycle of the artworks is as a pop-up exhibition (for several weeks). After the exhibition ends, the artworks are not intended to be preserved or transported back to the artist’s home country.
Visual artists whose creative practice focuses on installation, spatial objects, sculpture, mixed media, performance (including participatory performance), as well as community participation and engagement projects are invited to apply.
The artist residency is offered to two artists who meet one of the following criteria:
The selection criteria aim to reflect the quality and diversity of visual art presented in outdoor public spaces. There is no age limit for participation; however, candidates are expected to have higher education in an art-related field or equivalent professional experience, demonstrated through their artistic career.
Grant Conditions
In a single PDF document include:
The Committee is not obliged to justify the selection decision.
The contact person for all questions is Zanda Bitere, zanda.bitere@liepaja2027.lv.
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The Liepāja 2027 Foundation is inviting everyone regardless of age or place of residence to take part in the creation of “Fabrics of Reality”, a new work by the internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota (塩田千春), by writing a personal letter that will become part of the finished installation. Letters will be accepted until 30 November 2026.