2026:
3-31.May weeks
- available days for workshop by invited artist - 23rd or 24th of May

2027:
Probably no residency with NAN

Sustainable Theme:
SÍM will invite a photographer who can teach a workshop on sustainable processes for local photographers at the Ljósmyndaskólinn.

Residency activities:
-Introduction meeting with all participants in the SÍM Residency program. During the introductory meeting SÍM Residency will present general information about the residency activities, show around the house and share all tips for your stay and successful residency.
-Artist talk, public event with all 20 international artists at SÍM Residency project space, Seljavegur 32. 

- Workshop by invited artist at Ljósmyndaskólinn to share artists' research and professional knowledge with students and the local community.

Granted residency does not cover: 
- travel, health, artwork, or equipment insurance; 
- artwork, or art equipment shipment, transportation to/from Iceland; 
- food; 
- any other costs of activities and travels within a country, if it is not included in the residency program, must be covered by the artists themselves.

Safety deposit:
SÍM Residency does not require artists to pay a safety deposit. However, on arrival, artist‘s are required to sign a Deposit Agreement between SÍM and the artist.

Safety and Security:
Upon arrival, each artist is provided with a personal set of keys, granting access to the main entrance of the residency building and their individual room or studio.

Artists are fully responsible for their own belongings and are advised to keep their rooms locked at all times. SÍM Residency cannot be held liable for the loss or damage of personal property in cases such as theft, fire, water damage, flooding, or other unforeseen incidents.

In the event of an emergency, artists should immediately call 112 for police, fire, or medical assistance. For non-urgent matters or general concerns, artists are encouraged to contact the SÍM Residency management directly.

SÍM Residency apartments operate under valid licenses from the Icelandic Fire Department and comply with all national safety regulations. The building is equipped with smoke detectors in all rooms, studios, and communal areas, as well as first aid kits and other required safety equipment.

Guests:
Selected artists will be accommodated in a twin room, which allows the possibility of hosting a partner or friend during the residency period. An additional accommodation fee will apply, depending on the length of the guest’s stay.

Please note that children under the age of 14 cannot be accommodated at the residency.

SÍM Residency (The Association of Icelandic Visual Artists) serves as the residency host and mentor, in partnership with Ljósmyndaskólinn (The Photography School in Reykjavík), which provides professional darkroom and workshop facilities.

This one-month artist residency offers accommodation in a twin bedroom with additional shared workshop spaces at the SÍM Residency apartment on Seljavegur 32, located in downtown Reykjavík, and full access to the analog darkroom facilities at Ljósmyndaskólinn.

Together, these two sites provide artists with time, space, and resources to focus on creative development and research — with a special emphasis on sustainable analog photography practices.

The selected artist will join the SÍM Residency Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Programme, working alongside 20 international multidisciplinary artists. The programme includes two public events curated by SÍM Residency: an Artist Talk and a pop-up project presentation at the SÍM Residency project space at Seljavegur 32.

In addition, selected artists will be invited to organise a public workshop at Ljósmyndaskólinn, offering an opportunity to share their research and expertise with students and the local community. Participation in public events — such as the Artist Talk and project presentation — is optional, depending on each artist’s project proposal and residency objectives.

Participating artist will receive an SÍM Guest artist card, which grants free access to most major art galleries and museums in Iceland, as well as giving discounts at multiple stores and visual arts suppliers.

• A bachelor’s degree in visual arts or equivalent qualifications in a related field (such as art history, curatorial studies, dance, or similar) is required.
  

• The SÍM Residency AIR Program is a project-based residency. We expect artists to propose an individual art project that focuses on the central themes of sustainable photography, environmentally conscious techniques, or innovative creative methods in the darkroom.
  

• As part of the proposal, artists are also asked to outline a concept for a one-day workshop that introduces or explores sustainable analog photography techniques to share with students and the local community.
  

• During the residency, artists are expected to develop and realize their proposed project, with the results or process presented at the end of the residency in a pop-up exhibition or open studio format.
  

• Each artist is expected to give a public artist talk as part of the residency’s public program.
  

• Artists must be able to communicate in English.
  

• At the conclusion of the residency, each artist’s project must be documented and published on the SÍM Residency website as part of the SÍM Projects archive.

• we require the artist's project to be documented and published on SÍM Residency's website in the format of SÍM Projects at the end of the residency.  

SIM Residency Seljavegur.

Adress: Slejavegur 32, 101 Reykjavík Iceland

Location:

View virtual tour →

Seljavegur 32 is located in the western part of Reykjavík city center, within walking distance of Ljósmyndaskólinn (The Photography School in Reykjavík). The building has a rich and layered history, reflecting Reykjavík’s architectural and cultural development over the past century.

The plot was originally handed over to the Reykjavík Lighthouse Authority in 1942, to relocate its data warehouse from Klapparstígur. In May 1945, permission was granted to build a three-story concrete office and equipment building, which was completed in October 1946. The structure was built of reinforced concrete, covered with quartz, and featured an iron-clad roof. It has two main wings — the west wing facing Seljavegur and the north wing facing Holtsgata.

Originally, the ground floor housed a car repair and machine workshop, the second floor was used as a lighthouse data factory, and the top floor contained offices. Plans were made in 1948 to expand the building northeast along Seljavegur, though the extension was never constructed. Later that year, part of the west-wing roof was destroyed by fire, leading to reconstruction that included a small tower structure with a balcony on the southwest corner.

A concrete boiler house was added in December 1948, and by 1949, 14 storage rooms had been established on the roof level. From 1952, the building served as the headquarters of the Icelandic Coast Guard, and it remained largely unchanged until 1981, when modifications were made to the roof structure and interior.

In 2006, the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists (SÍM) began leasing the building, transforming it into a vibrant artistic hub with 55 artist studios and residency accommodation for visiting international artists.

Today, Seljavegur 32 houses the SÍM Residency, one of Iceland’s longest-running international artist-in-residence programmes. The building combines its original industrial character with the creative energy of Reykjavík’s contemporary art community.

Located just a 10-minute walk from the old city center, the residency is surrounded by cultural landmarks and amenities, including libraries, museums, galleries, supermarkets, swimming pools, cinemas, restaurants, and the University of Iceland.

The SÍM Residency apartment includes 18 private bedrooms, a mix of private and shared workshop spaces, and a large open project area used for events and group exhibitions. All residents share common facilities such as kitchens, bathrooms, and showers.

Each month, the residency hosts up to 20 artists, creating a lively and collaborative atmosphere that encourages artistic exchange and experimentation.

Artists selected through the Nordic Analog Network Programme are accommodated in a private twin bedroom. Artists may invite a partner to stay for part or all of the residency period; however, an additional accommodation fee may apply depending on the duration of the guest’s stay.

Enlargers:

• Jobo VC 7700. 50 mm – Schneider-Kreuznach, Componon-S 1:2.8. 75 mm – Nikon EL Nikkor 1:1.4

• Jobo VC 7700. 50 mm – Rodenstock Rodagon 1:2.8. 80 mm – Durst Neonon 1:5.6.

• Leitz Focomat IIa Color. 60 mm – Focotar 1:4.5. 95 mm – Focotar 1:4.5.

• LPL 7452. 50 mm – Rodenstock Rodagon 1:2.8. 75 mm – Rodenstock Rogonar 1:4. 105 mm – Rodenstock Rodagon 1:5.6.

• LPL 7452. 50 mm – Beseler Color Pro 1:2.8. 75 mm – Rodenstock Rogonar 1:4.

• Jobo LPL 7425. 50 mm – Durst Neonon 1:2.8. 80 mm – Rodenstock Rodagon 1:4.

• Jobo LPL 7425. 50 mm – Nikon EL-Nikkor 1:2.8. 80 mm – Rodenstock Rodagon 1:4. 135 mm – Rodenstock Rodagon 1:5.6.

In the Darkroom

• Large sink.

• Ventilation.

• Separate film developing room. 4x5, 35 mm, medium format.

• Washmaster archival print washer. 30x40, 60x70.

• Red and orange safelights.

• Trays. 20 – 24x30, 20 – 30x40, 20 – 40x50, 8 – 50x60.

• Easels, focus finders, MG filters, 5 – 30x40, 3 – 40x50, 2 – 50x60.

• Beakers, measuring cups, thongs etc.

In the Lightroom

• Lighttable

• Paper cutter.

• Mounting press. Seal Masterpiece 210.

• Work Equipment:

  Artists will be able to use all darkroom equipment owned by the Ljósmyndaskólinn darkroom. Unfortunately as many chemistries or, for example, photo papers are rare in Iceland; we advise artists to bring their chemicals and other materials needed for their project and count that all imports and exports in Iceland are not tax-free. Possibilities of sending some of the materials that need to be arranged with the residency personnel. 

  Photo equipment stores in Iceland:

  https://www.beco.is/ *10 prc. discount with SIM Guest card

  https://www.ljosmyndavorur.is/

  https://www.fotoval.is/

Work Equipment:
Artists will be able to use all darkroom equipment owned by the Ljósmyndaskólinn darkroom. Unfortunately as many chemistries or, for example, photo papers are rare in Iceland; we advise artists to bring their chemicals and other materials needed for their project and count that all imports and exports in Iceland are not tax-free. Possibilities of sending some of the materials that need to be arranged with the residency personnel. 

Photo equipment stores in Iceland:
https://www.beco.is/ *10 prc. discount with SIM Guest card
https://www.ljosmyndavorur.is/
https://www.fotoval.is/

Artists have access to excellent facilities within the spacious Ljósmyndaskólinn building, including:

• A lecture hall

• A dedicated black-and-white film development room

• A large darkroom with equipment for enlarging film formats from 35mm up to 4×5”

• A film processing area and finishing zone equipped with cutting tools, light tables, and other professional tools for film and print finishing

In the Lightroom

• Lighttable

• Paper cutter.

• Mounting press. Seal Masterpiece 210.

Website:
https://www.sim-residency.info/
https://ljosmyndaskolinn.is/
https://www.sim.is/sim-gallery

Email:
residency@sim.is
sissa@ljosmyndaskolinn.is

Telephone:
+354 571 3951

Instagram:
@simresidency
@ljosmyndaskolinn

Facebook:
@simresdiency
@ljosmyndaskolinn

Address:
SÍM Residency: Seljavegur 32, 101 Reykjavík Iceland

Ljósmyndaskólin: Hólmaslóð 6, 101 Reykjavík Iceland

SÍM Gallery: Hafnarstræti 16, 101 Reykjavík Iceland

Staff:
Martynas Petreikis SÍM Residency project manager - https://www.sim-residency.info/

Sigríður Ólafsdóttir (Sissa) Director of Ljósmyndaskólinn - https://ljosmyndaskolinn.is/