In 2026-2028 UmArts is running a Small Visionary Seeds (SVS) program and Grant Writing Club to support our staff to develop new interdisciplinary and collaborative research projects through a peer feedback process; with the aim of running creative and writing activities towards applying for external grant funding.
The SVS projects were assessed by an external panel including: Jyoti Mistry, Professor of Film, Valand Academy, Goteborg; and Olga Zablueva, Lecturer in Museology, UMU according to the following criteria:
Research idea and potential: What is compelling, original or promising about the proposed research?
Artistic research in art, design architecture, sloyd: Where relevant, is the artistic research dimension clear and convincing? Could it be articulated or developed further?
Interdisciplinary potential: How meaningfully does the project bring together different disciplines, practices or forms of knowledge?
Feasibility and use of seed funding: Is the proposed activity realistic, and does the seed funding provide a useful opportunity to test or develop the idea?
Future development: What would you encourage the applicants to clarify, strengthen or expand if developing the project toward a larger external funding application?
Awards 2026-2028
The following projects will be supported to develop new grant applications over the next couple of years:
• Raffaele Errichello and Julio Diarte: Grow, Join, Dry: dimensional behaviour, characterization and service life of 3-D printed biochar-mycelium composites. Umeå School of Architecture
• Edith Marie Pasquier: The Outrageous Pursuit of Hope/Scenes from Childhood. Umeå Academy of Fine Art.
• Sara Rylander and Magnus Wink: The Place-Based Gift Birch Bark Craft, Living Heritage and Sustainable Material Practice. Department of Creative Studies.
• Heather Wiltze with Brendon Clark, Karey Helms, Cindy Kohtala and Ylva Fernaeus: Design for sustainable societal transitions. Umeå Institute of Design.
The applicants will receive detailed feedback from the jury and ongoing support from UmArts as required including the UmArts Grant Writing Club, grant writing workshops and feedback sessions.