GAP Svenska Mentorship 2026–2027
Are you an emerging foreign-born or Swedish-speaking artist looking to build a sustainable professional career in Finland?
Globe Art Point is opening applications for GAP Svenska Mentorship 2026–2027, a one-year mentorship programme connecting emerging artists with experienced Swedish-speaking professionals from the Finnish arts and culture sector.
Through mentorship, peer learning, professional networking and knowledge exchange, participants will gain practical insights into navigating the Finnish arts and cultural field, particularly within the Swedish-speaking professional environment.
The programme builds on GAP’s previous Peer to Peer programmes and follows the principles of the AAA (Access, Advocacy and Active Inclusion) Mentorship Programme Blueprint for Foreign-Born Creatives, developed through an Erasmus+ project.
WHO IS THE PROGRAMME FOR?
We are looking for:
- Emerging foreign-born artists living in Finland
- Emerging Swedish-speaking artists in Finland
- Artists from different artistic and cultural fields who are in the early stages of their professional careers
- Artists who want to better understand and access the Swedish-speaking arts and cultural sector in Finland
- Artists interested in developing professional networks and connections
- Artists committed to developing their artistic careers and future in Finland
Please note: Foreign-born participants do not need to speak Swedish to apply.
The programme welcomes artists with different backgrounds and levels of experience. Applicants may, for example, be recent graduates, have limited professional experience, or have completed their education and developed their professional experience outside Finland.
HOW DOES THE MENTORSHIP WORK?
In this first edition of the GAP mentorship programme, selected mentees will be paired or grouped with experienced Swedish-speaking professionals working in the arts and culture sector.
Mentorship pairs or triads will be formed according to artistic and cultural disciplines, areas of interest, shared values, experience and overall compatibility.
Each mentor-mentee pair or trio will meet once a month throughout the programme. Meetings can take place in person, online or in a hybrid format, according to what works best for the participants.
Mentees are encouraged to actively communicate what kind of guidance, knowledge, support and professional experiences they would like to explore with their mentors.
Mandatory Programme Meetings
In addition to the regular mentor-mentee meetings, all participants will take part in three joint programme meetings:
24 September 2026
Kick-off meeting
An opportunity for mentors and mentees to meet, connect and begin the programme together.
14 January 2027
Mid-programme check-in
A shared meeting to reflect on the mentorship process, exchange experiences and look ahead.
13 May 2027
Closing meeting
The programme will conclude with a shared closing event, including a field trip or visit to a cultural space or institution.
MUTUAL LEARNING
The mentorship is based on bidirectional learning.
While mentees will gain professional knowledge, guidance and insights from experienced arts and culture professionals, mentors will also have an opportunity to learn from the perspectives, experiences and creative practices of the participating artists.
The programme aims to create an environment of mutual inspiration and cultural exchange, while contributing to more inclusive and diverse practices within the arts and culture sector.
WHAT CAN YOU GAIN FROM THE PROGRAMME?
Through the mentorship, participants will have the opportunity to:
- Develop professional networks in Finland
- Gain practical knowledge about the Finnish arts and culture sector
- Learn from experienced Swedish-speaking professionals
- Explore professional and career opportunities
- Receive guidance tailored to their artistic practice and career goals
- Exchange experiences with other emerging artists
- Build connections within GAP’s wider creative community
- Develop a stronger foundation for a sustainable artistic career in Finland
PROGRAMME SCHEDULE
24 September 2026 — Kick-off meeting
October–December 2026 — Independent mentor-mentee meetings
14 January 2027 — Mid-programme check-in
January–April 2027 — Independent mentor-mentee meetings
13 May 2027 — Closing meeting
Regular mentor-mentee meetings will be arranged independently by each pair or trio.
APPLICATION
Apply by completing the application form below.
We are looking for committed participants who are prepared to actively participate throughout the programme and attend the mandatory meetings held on-site in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Uusimaa.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis during the open call. Mentorship pairs and groups will be formed based on applicants’ experience, interests, needs and overall compatibility.
Selected applicants will be contacted in September 2026.
[APPLY TO THE GAP SVENSKA MENTORSHIP 2026–2027 →]
QUESTIONS?
For questions about the programme or application process, please contact:
Tega Oke
Project Coordinator
[email protected]
Supported by
GAP Svenska Mentorship 2026–2027 is supported by the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland.