Cities of Refuge 1
Before the arrival of the future artist in reside
nce When an artist has accepted the city’s invitation, the practical work begins; obtaining residence permit, contacting embassies and the Swedish Migration Board, organising accommodation, booking travel and preparing the local network. Requirements for staying in Sweden: temporary resident permit for artists in residence In Sweden, artists in residence who are invited through ICORN by a municipality, city or region that is also responsible for the artists’ subsistence, are given a residence permit for two years in accordance with chapter 5, section 5, second paragraph of the Aliens Act (UtlL), which says: “A residence permit may be granted to an alien with means of support other than employment.” For the residency permit to be granted, the inviting municipality must have made a political decision and organised means of living. It is also required that the selection and invitation of the artist in residence is made in consultation with ICORN, and that the invited artist has valid travel documents. The residence permit gives an artist in residence the right to practise their art as well as accept assignments that may be directly connected with such activities, such as lectures, exhibitions, concerts or participating in publicity or other cultural activities. Artists in residence are not granted a work permit and are therefore not entitled to take up employment. They do, however, have the right to accept short-term project employment, temporary positions or freelance work. Requirements for persons accompanying the artist Accompanying family members (spouse, partner or children under the age of 18) are granted a residence permit in accordance with chapter 4, section 4 b, first paragraph in the Aliens Ordinance (UtlF) on the condition that their living costs are also provided by the municipality. Similar to what is required for family members of accompanying business owners, visiting researchers and international students, the family members are granted a work permit in accordance with chapter 6, section 3 of the UtlL. Schooling is compulsory for children residing in Sweden, and they are entitled to receive education. Compulsory schooling means that children 19/49