Creative Residencies

Where creativity meets sustainability

The Time for (S) Heroes residency program is a key component of the project’s mission to foster sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation within the creative industries. It offers emerging and established designers, artists, and technologists a space for interdisciplinary collaboration, experimentation, and co-creation.

Who Can Join

The teams with creative, sustainable, and innovative ideas will be invited to join.

The residencies are open to (but not limited to):

Fashion & textile professionals: fashion designers, fashion illustrators, stylists, costume designers, textile and accessory designers, exhibition and display coordinators, creative directors, brand managers, and fashion business developers.
Visual & digital artists: graphic designers, service designers, industrial designers, concept designers, new media graduates, game designers, programmers, and interaction designers.
Art Installation & performing arts specialists: light and sound designers, contemporary artists, time and space artists, designers interested in experimental exhibitions, performance artists focusing on installations, and those exploring immersive storytelling
Sustainability innovators & material researchers: experts working on new materials, circular design, and ecological solutions, as well as speakers and thought leaders on sustainability issues.

The creative journey

How does it work?

The Time for (S) Heroes residency program is open through an international Open Call. The selection process follows these key phases:

Open Call & Digital Portal: applications begin via the Time for (S) Heroes digital platform, where applicants submit their creative proposals.
Design Wave Festival: the best applicants will be invited to an intensive co-creation event, where they will refine their projects and engage in mentoring and capacity-building activities.
Residencies in Spain & Finland: from the Design Wave Festival, only the finalists will be selected for residencies at Espronceda in Barcelona or Xamk in Finland.
Public Showcasing & Business Incubation: the residency experience culminates in exhibitions, events, and digital showcases, connecting participants with industry leaders and international audiences.

Q&A

Residencies Q&A

The Time for (S) Heroes residencies are the main prize of the open call. Selected teams will have the opportunity to develop their creative ideas further in an international residency setting, supported by mentoring, facilities and expert networks. The residencies help emerging designers, artists and creators move from concept to realisation, exploring sustainable heroism through fashion, costume, art installations and performing arts.

Q&A helps you understand what the residencies offer, how the selection process works and what kinds of opportunities are available for selected teams.

What are the Time for (S) Heroes residencies?

The residencies are development periods for selected teams to turn their open call proposals into more advanced creative projects. They support work in fashion, costume, art installation and performing arts, with a focus on sustainability, digitality and new interpretations of heroism.
Where will the residencies take place?

Residencies are planned in Finland and Spain.
In Finland, the work will be connected to Ankkapurha and Xamk’s Kouvola campus, combining accommodation, co-creation spaces, workshops and advanced production facilities.
In Spain, the residency context is connected to Espronceda Institute of Art and Culture in Barcelona, an international centre for artistic research, digital innovation and cultural production.
What kind of facilities are available in Finland?

The Finnish residency offers access to costume and fashion design resources, workshop spaces and digital production facilities. These include 3D printing with ecological materials, laser cutting, fabric manipulation, digital garment-making software, costume workshops, a virtual production studio, a 10-metre LED wall, motion and facial capture, and holographic projection possibilities.
What does Espronceda offer in Barcelona?

Espronceda supports artistic research, mentorship, workshops and collaborative production. Its facilities include visual artist studios, media rooms, galleries and co-working spaces. Its work is strongly connected to immersive technologies, AI, XR, digital art, sustainability and international cultural collaboration.
Do we need to choose the residency location when applying?

No. Teams do not need to choose the residency location at the first stage. The final residency placement depends on the needs of the proposal, available facilities, mentoring possibilities and the overall selection process.
Is participation free for selected teams?

Yes. There are no participation fees for teams selected for the residencies. The travel, accommodation, material, and exhibition costs are covered for selected participants by the project.
Can I apply alone?

The open call is team-based. Teams should consist of 3 to 5 members. Individual creatives can use the portal to find existing project ideas, join a team or connect with others before submitting a proposal.
What is the role of the Riga Design Wave Festival hackathon?

The Riga hackathon is an incubator-style development phase for proposals. It helps teams refine their ideas with mentoring and feedback. Some well-developed proposals may be accepted directly to residencies, while others may be invited to continue development through the hackathon phase. You can also submit your proposal directly to Design Wave Festival, if the timeline for spring-summer 2026 open call is too tight. This opportunity will be announced later.
What kind of projects are suitable for the residencies?

Projects can focus on fashion design, costume design, art installations, or performing arts. The strongest proposals connect creative ambition with sustainability, digital experimentation, and a clear reinterpretation of the hero narrative.
Is there an option for projects that are not aiming for a physical residency?

Yes. The open call also includes a digital exhibition track. This can be suitable for projects that are strong in digital format or do not aim to take part in a physical residency, but still want international visibility through the Time for (S) Heroes platform. The option is selected at the submission phase.
To get a clearer sense of the residency environments, we recommend watching the dedicated videos presenting both residency locations. They offer a helpful first glimpse into the facilities, atmosphere and creative possibilities available in Finland and Spain.

Open Call

The Open Call is ongoing now!

Info about the Open Call