Frame Contemporary Art Finland and the Finnish Cultural Foundation announce a call for applications for a study trip to Brazil in September 2025. The application period is from 30 January to 28 February 2025.
Frame and the Finnish Cultural Foundation launch joint study trips for Finnish and Finland-based contemporary art professionals.
The study trips aim to familiarize participants with the art scene in the destination countries, visit international contemporary art events, build networks, and identify potential partners. They are targeted at contemporary art professionals, such as curators or other professionals in art museums, art organisations, or the independent art scene. Read more about the study trips.
Frame has been organising study trips with various partners since 2016.
What and when
This year, the study trip is organised to the 36th São Paulo Biennial and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The trip will take place during the opening week of the Biennial, approximately 1–10 September 2025 (São Paulo 1–6 September, Rio de Janeiro 7–10 September). The dates will be confirmed once the Biennale announces the preview programme.
In addition to the Biennial, the itinerary planned by Frame includes meetings and visits to local contemporary art organisations. Part of the programme will take place in the evening. Participants are also expected to arrange personal meetings according to their interests.
The São Paulo Biennial is the largest contemporary art exhibition in Latin America. The trip enables participants to explore the Biennial and build networks with international contemporary art practitioners.
Who can apply
The call is open to Finnish and Finland-based contemporary art professionals, such as curators, and other professionals in art museums, art organisations, or the independent art scene.
Four participants will be selected through the Open Call and their travel costs will be covered by the organisers.
In addition, professionals who can cover the costs of the trip themselves or through their organisation may also join the programme. In this case, please contact us to indicate your interest within the application period.
The group will be accompanied by representatives of Frame and the Finnish Cultural Foundation.
Travel costs and information
Those selected for the trip will be offered accommodation at the destination. In addition, they will receive a grant of €2,000 to cover other travel costs.
The grant can be used for travel to and from Brazil, local transport, and other immediate travel costs such as vaccinations and insurances. Participants are responsible for booking their trips. The grant will be paid in April 2025 and participants will be required to report on its use after the trip. Participants are responsible for paying for their meals and other personal expenses during the trip.
Participants must have the required vaccinations to travel to Brazil and valid travel insurance. Participants must be able to travel to Brazil and have the necessary valid travel documents. For more information, please check the Brazilian Embassy in Finland.
How to apply
To apply, please submit your application and CV as a single PDF file containing the following information:
1. A letter of motivation (max 1 page) in English or Finnish, explaining why the trip would be beneficial to the applicant’s work and/or organisation; what kind of actors the applicant would be interested in meeting; and what interests the applicant about the São Paulo Biennial.
2. A concise CV showing the applicant’s professional or curatorial experience.
Send these as a single PDF file to applications@frame-finland.fi. The closing date for applications is Friday 28 February 2025.
Selection process
The applications are evaluated by Frame and the Cultural Foundation representatives. In their selection, they assess the applicant’s motivation and the usefulness of the trip for their work and/or organisation. Applicants will be informed of the selection by the end of March, and the results will also be announced on organisers’ websites.
Accessibility
The travel programme includes daily activities and transfers by public transport. The trip will entail plenty of social situations. The working language is English. Please contact us in advance if you have any questions about the accessibility of the trip.
Frame promotes equality in its activities. We welcome applications from people of different ages, genders, languages, cultures and other minorities. In your application, you can indicate that you belong to one of these groups. Any information you provide will be treated confidentially.
For more information:
Juha Huuskonen
CEO, Frame Contemporary Art Finland
juha.huuskonen@frame-finland.fi, +358 40 570 9617
Johanna Ruohonen
Senior Advisor, The Finnish Cultural Foundation
johanna.ruohonen@skr.fi, +358 40 516 3475
Exhibition view of the 35th Bienal de São Paulo – Choreographies of the Impossible: Photo: Levi Fanan / Fundação Bienal de São Paulo