Valamo Residency

Located in peaceful Papinniemi in Heinävesi, on the shore of clean Juojärvi, Valamo Residence offers artists a bridge between everyday life and inspiration. The monastery's natural silence and simplicity provide a counterweight to a society driven by performance and consumption. Our residency offers space to think and time to create something new. Or to finish something unfinished.

Valamo has been a base for artists for decades. We welcome all creative professionals, regardless of art form or worldview. Our versatile facilities are suitable for writers, visual artists, and those working with music.

Some of the forests surrounding the monastery are untouched old-growth forests. In the immediate vicinity, there are several marked outdoor routes of varying lengths. A visit to the monastery's forest cemetery is a moving experience. Bicycles, kick sleds, and snowshoes can be borrowed from the monastery.

Valamo Monastery's outdoor routes

Residency Application Spring 2027 (for the period 1.1- 16.5.2027, excluding Easter 25-29.3.2027)

Apply for the Valamo Sillankorva residency during the spring season 2027. A free-form application, briefly outlining the artist's previous activities and current work plan, must be submitted to salesservice@valamo.fi by 15.11.2026. Decisions on spring residency placements will be made by 1.12.2026.

In the application, you can state your preferred period. The minimum duration is 1 week, maximum 1 month. If desired, recommendations can be attached to the application, but only a CV is mandatory as an attachment.

Additional information and applications:

Valamo Monastery / Sales Service

Tel. 017 570 1810 (Mon-Fri 9 AM - 3:30 PM)

salesservice@valamo.fi

WORKSPACES

Studio - A peaceful studio, filled with natural light, suitable for a visual artist or musician, and also for a small working group.

1-2 weeks 100€ / month 150€

Soppi - Cozy and practical Soppi offers a bright workspace with stunning church views for one artist.

1-2 weeks 75€ / month 125€

Both workspaces were completed in summer 2024 and are located peacefully in the Valamo Lay Academy building.

Workspaces must be booked in advance.

Valamo Library offers peaceful desk spaces for researchers, which can be reserved from the library in advance or on site.

ACCOMMODATION

Sillankorva - This unique art house is located by the bridge leading to the Monastery, on the shore of Juojärvi. In 2009, artist Kim-Peter Waltzer designed the interior of the house, funded by a private donor. The floors feature black Ilomantsi stone, the walls Kittilä green marble and art. The ceilings are ash. The house has three rooms, each with a bathroom, a single bed, a desk, and a bedside table. The shared kitchen has a dining table, dining utensils, a Refrigerator, a stove, a Microwave oven, a Dishwasher, a coffee maker and Kettle, a Toaster, and recycling bins. Pets are not allowed in Sillankorva house.

1 week 230€
2 weeks 350€
month (28 days) 550€

Lay Academy Hotel - Accommodation in a single room with shower and toilet is available at the Lay Academy Hotel. You can also inquire about the possibility of a double room and a Pet room. Both floors of the Lay Academy Hotel have shared kitchens. Valamo's wireless Wi-Fi Network is In use. The entrance to the Lay Academy Hotel has a wheelchair ramp.

1 week 180€
2 weeks 285€
month (28 days) 440€

Accommodation prices do not include breakfast or other meals. The price includes sauna twice a week (separate turns for men and women) and the opportunity to participate in Valamo Lay Academy courses at a special price.

Prices include VAT.

Through Valamo Monastery's cultural activities, the Orthodox Church of Finland began to open up to society in the 1980s, and the monastery became known as an "Orthodoxy"

Contact information

Driving directions and transport connections

Invoicing addresses and bank details
Accessibility statement

Visiting hours

Valamo Monastery is open year-round. Services' visiting hours vary by season.

In the newsletter, we inform you about Valamo Monastery's current events, upcoming proceedings, and institute courses. Subscribe to the monastery's newsletter

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Valamo Residency