Open call
hands on press residency

Call for proposals: 2026/27 summer/winter/spring print residency. 2 artists will be selected for this ‘26/27 residency season
Application deadline: 11th of May, 2026 11:59PM (GMT+3)
Period of residence: 2 months (8 weeks) in Summer/Winter/Spring 2026/27
Application Fee: Free
Location: Kaunas, Lithuania
Who can apply: Nordic artists and/or visual researchers (living in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Åland, Estonia, and Latvia), interested in the fields of self-publishing and/or riso-printing

Applications can be submitted until 11th of May 11:59 PM (GMT+3) via e-mail: residency@handsonpress.lt

Hands on press residency invites artists whose practice focuses on small editions of printed matter.
The main objective of the self-directed artist-in-residence programme is to set up an opportunity for Nordic artists, illustrators and/or visual researchers to explore their own creativity through self-publishing and riso-printing, in the context of Kaunas, Lithuania and its creative community.

The residency programme aims to build a bridge between self-publishing scene in Kaunas and other Nordic cities, thus creating a possibility for further collaborations and cultural exchange.
Moreover, it is expected for artists-in-residence to create work that reflects (directly or indirectly) on their experience in Lithuania, producing not only a printed edition, but also giving an opportunity for Nordic artists to have a peek at what Lithuania and its creative scene has to offer while getting involved in it.

You can read a bit more about our previous residents here.

What is offered (included in the residency fee):

Private accommodation (AirBnB), central, easily accessible, fitted with the basics and facilitated for working from home, if desired;

Travel costs (return);
A small (15 eur) per diem for everyday needs.
Access to the Hands on Press analogue printing & self-publishing studio;
If desired, a window exhibition space for a personal exhibition;
Material cost for the production of the final edition of printed publications;
Technical support and mentorship by Hands on Press over the period of the residency;
Introduction to the local scene, full support regarding the resident’s stay in Kaunas.

What is expected from the artist-in-residence:

The resident has to be interested in the fields of self-publishing and/or riso printing, or, preferably, have some prior experience in said fields.
it is expected for artist-in-residence to create work that reflects (directly or indirectly) on their experience in Lithuania, producing a printed edition using the risography facilities at Hands on Press and other local services. Note: it is not necessary for the resident to have the technical knowledge; the staff will be able to provide help with the production.
The resident will have to introduce their work (final or work in progress) publicly in a form that suits them. It can be a workshop, book presentation, performance, lecture, exhibition or any other form of event. The facilitators of the residency will be there to help with the space, materials, installation (both with human and financial resources).
The resident has to be comfortable in doing self-directed work, be curious and should be willing to get to know the local scene and, if possible, get involved in it.
The resident must be able to communicate in English, be open and respectful towards the people and their surroundings. It can be a bit busy and chaotic in the studio sometimes, hence having some flexibility is a necessity.
There is a full-time dog in the studio, so the resident must be OK with its presence.

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Application requirements:

Artist portfolio (PDF or a portfolio website)
A short informal letter of introduction and motivation. This should explain how the objectives of the Hands on Press residency resonate with the artistic practice of the applicant, and a few rough ideas on how they imagine they could approach the printed project (rough project proposal). The applicant should make it clear why working with printed matter is desired. They should also express the interest to explore different cultures/people/cities: how they see themselves living in another country for 2 months, explain why this seems like an interesting experience to undertake. The letter does not have to be very specific, we are mostly interested in applicant’s passion for their practice/research process/printed matter, curiosity when it comes to different people/cultures/cities and the ability to communicate.
Application should be written English;
Documents should be submitted in PDF format, in a single file.

Applications will be evaluated by Hands on Press.

Evaluation criteria:

The artistic/cultural qualities of the artist portfolio;
The relevance of applicant’s artistic practice for this particular residency (how does the practice suit/will be made to suit the media);
The cultural activities in the past: results, continuity, cultural/social/artistic qualities;
The willingness to explore, research, network, immerse themselves in another culture;
Availability: the applicant has to be able to stay in Kaunas for 2 months during the summer/winter/spring of 2026/27 (specific dates to be discussed during the follow-up interview).

Further evaluation:

After the application deadline, Hands on Press will get in touch with several suitable applicants and arrange an informal online interview. During the interview, we will focus on the artists communication and self-direction skills as well as the ability to stay curious and open-minded. We will spend a lot of time together during the residency and we feel it is important for both the artists and us to feel as comfortable with each other as possible in order to have the most valuable experience. We would love to get a chance to know the person better, explain thoroughly what they could expect in Kaunas and dedicate time for the applicant to ask questions.

About Hands on Press

We are an independent printing press and a self-publishing studio located in Kaunas, Lithuania, established in 2021. The studio is run by Gabrielė (illustrator/printer) and Kruopa (dog). We love analogue printing techniques and we hope to introduce them in creative ways to a wider audience. We work mainly in the fields of art & culture, designing, printing, bookbinding for a variety of clients, ranging from national institutions (museums, libraries, cultural centres), cultural organisations, small businesses, to private clients (students, artists, enthusiasts of small presses). We continuously explore our own creative practices and have recently established a one-piece gallery at the premises of the studio.

You can read a bit more here.

If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch via residency@handsonpress.lt

The residency is funded by Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture

Applications can be submitted until 11th of May 11:59 PM (GMT+3) by e-mail: residency@handsonpress.lt

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︎ hands are off press until the 1st of September. Speak soon!︎

︎
hands are off press until the 1st of September. Speak soon!
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