Bruno Mathsson Design Residency
Region Jönköping County established a new international residency in Värnamo in 2023, the Bruno Mathsson Design Residency. The purpose of the residency is to offer an internationally working designer time for research, development, networking, and focus in a stimulating architectural environment, within the context of Vandalorum Museum of Art and Design and the extensive manufacturing industry of the region. The Bruno Mathsson Design Residency 2024 was awarded to American designer Stephen Burks.
Welcome to apply to the Bruno Mathsson Design Residency in Värnamo, Sweden. All international designers, based outside of Sweden are welcome to apply. The resident is offered to stay for a month in a groundbreaking house designed by the influential architect and furniture designer Bruno Mathsson (1907–88). The house, from 1955, is located in Bruno Mathsson’s hometown of Värnamo in Småland and was originally commissioned by Sven Lundh (founder of Källemo).
The Bruno Mathsson Design Residency is run by the Region Jönköping County and Vandalorum Museum of Art and Design. During the residence period, the designer is offered visits to the extensive furniture and manufacturing industry in the Jönköping region, based on the designer’s choice and interests. The designer is also offered a tour to Bruno Mathsson’s private home and the Mathsson Center and is invited to give a public lecture at Vandalorum during the residence period.
The purpose of the residency is to offer an internationally working designer time for research, development, networking, and focus in a stimulating architectural environment, within the context of Vandalorum and the extensive manufacturing industry of the region.
Location
Värnamo is a town situated in the middle of Småland, about 390 km from Stockholm and 230 km from Copenhagen. The region presents a mixture of forest and lakes.
Language
English, Swedish
Founded
2023
Duration
1 month. The dates for 2024 are May 15–June 15.
Who can apply?
All international designers working outside of Sweden can apply. You need to have finalized your studies and work professionally in the field of design.
What is included?
Included in the residency are travels to and from Värnamo, Sweden, a month stay at the Bruno Mathsson house (as the only occupant), and a stipend of 20 000 SEK to cover living expenses, additional travels, and other personal or professional expenditure.
Deadline
The application for the Bruno Mathsson Design Residency 2025 opens in autumn 2024. The selected designer for the residency will be informed within 8 weeks from the application deadline.
Application guidelines
Please send the following application documents to bildochform@rjl.se:
• Project outline (300–500 words)
• CV
• Portfolio (10-15 images)
Jury
Dr. Mateo Kries, Director, Vitra Design Museum
Jenny Nordberg, designer
Magnus Jonsson, Culture director, Region Jönköping County
Lennart Alves Gernes, Art and Design Developer, Region Jönköping County
Elna Svenle, Museum Director, Vandalorum
Questions
Questions regarding the residency can be emailed to lennart.alvesgernes@rjl.se
The Bruno Mathsson Design Residency is run by Region Jönköping County and Vandalorum Museum of Art and Design, with support by IASPIS/The Swedish Arts Grants Committee International Programme for Visual and Applied Art, Region Jönköping County and Värnamo Municipality, in collaboration with the entrepreneur and collector Johan Sjöberg, Bruno Mathsson International, and the Karin and Bruno Mathsson Foundation.