About

Røst AiR is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary, artist-in-residence, and artist-run association. We are based on the mainland of Røst, the southwestnermost part of Lofoten/Lofuohtta, 67°North, Nordland/Nordlándda county, Sábme/Northern Norway. During the summer season (June-Aug) we move out to Skomvær Lighthouse, half an hour’s boat ride from the mainland of Røst.

Røst and Skomvær are situated more than one hundred kilometres out into the Atlantic Ocean from the city of Bodø/Bådåddjo, and due to its remote placement we have a special Atlantic climate. The average temperature 12+celsius in the summer +4 celsius, in the winter.

Røst has a rich heritage as ancient Sea Sámi land, which Røst AiR honours and works in solidarity with.

The Røst archipelago has more than 356 islands, islets, and skerries, and among them is Nykan nature reserve, the seabird mountains is home to one of Northern Europe’s largest pelagic seabird colonies, which has been experiencing a critical decline due to climate change and heating oceans, pollution, historical overfishing and bycatch since the mid-’60s.

We self-organize Røst AIR and run the residency voluntarily with AIR support from Nordland/Nordlánnda County Council. We are not a “typical” artist-in-residence. We consider ourselves more of an artist collective/community in which everyone participating takes responsibility for making it a good experience and living environment for all.

Our focus and interests include but are not limited to the ecological transition, geopolitics, diversity, self-sufficiency, race, gender and intersections between ecology, de-colonial thought and action, post-colonial feminism, indigenous methodologies and all things queer.

We are always working hard to be a safe as possible space for queer, trans and bipoc artists. Animal welfare and anti industrial farming are also amongst our main focuses and passions, so we keep vegan alterantives to dairy products, and/or if we offer dairy, fish, meat (reindeer/moose/sheep), it must be regional, from Røst and/or eco/organic + animal friendly (Dyrevernmerket).

Site-specific projects, process-based work and interdisciplinary meetings are encouraged. Having said this, we would like to underline that we are open to an infinite number of singular or communal expressions of artistic practices. We prefer inviting artists who engage humbly and over several years if they wish to work site specific. Don´t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Røst AiR is working on alternative ways of navigating, creating and being in this world, exploring, for instance, the post-fossil fuel potential. We are inspired by the coastal Sámi and Northern Norwegian fisherman-farmer tradition and have a small vegetable and herb garden.

Røst AiR still exists thanks to a collective volunteer effort of all the working group members and interns who have contributed since our humble start in 2013. Visiting artists have also contributed greatly to Røst AiRs development; with care, ideas and labour.

For transportation out to Skomvær we collaborate with local seabird guide and boatman Finn Olav Olsen / Day at Sea.

Who is running Røst AiR:

2026 Elin Már Øyen Vister & Sarah Sekles with artist interns.

2025 Elin Már Øyen Vister & Sarah Sekles with Niko Wearden (UK) and Camille Auer (FI)

2024-2025 Elin Már Øyen Vister & Magdaléna Manderlová, and summer -interns/artists Laura Stasane (LV), Maria Fox Larsson (FI) and Elodie Kleiner (FR)

2023-2024 Elin Már Øyen Vister & Magdaléna Manderlová, and summer -interns/artists Adam Parks (US/CZ) & Heidi Hornáčková (CZ), Amalie Risom Nyrup (DK) & Sarah Sekles (DE), Mateusz Pitala & Monika Raźny (PL)

2022-2023: Elin Már Øyen Vister & Magdaléna Manderlová, and summer -interns/artists Leon Billerbeck (DE) & Harald Bredholt (DK)

2021-2022: Elin Már Øyen Vister & Magdaléna Manderlová, and summer -interns/artists Amalie Holthen (NO) & Anna Näumann (NO)

2020-2021: Elin Már Øyen Vister and summer -intern/artist Magdaléna Manderlová (CZ)

2019-2020: Elin Már Øyen Vister and summer -intern/artist Kaisa Lempinen (FI)

2015-2018: Røst AiR working group: Elin Már Øyen Vister, Jason Rosenberg, Marie Kaada Hovden and interns.

2014-2015: Røst AiR working group: Elin Már Øyen Vister, Jason Rosenberg, Marie Kaada Hovden, Margrethe Pettersen, Mathias Hatleskog Tjønn and interns.

2013-2014: Røst AiR working group: Elin Már Øyen Vister, Marie Kaada Hovden, Margrethe Pettersen and interns.

2012-2013: Elin Már Øyen Vister with summer help from Ragnhild Nelvik Bruseth, Margrethe Pettersen, Marie Kaada Hovden and more.