[OPEN CALL] Three Art Commissions at Karolinska University Hospital Solna Campus
Region Stockholm hereby invites professional artists to submit an Application of Interest for an Art Commission at Karolinska University Hospital, Campus Solna. The Application is open until September 21st, 2026.
Invitation
Region Stockholm invites professional artists to submit an Expression of Interest for Radiation Services, Building L9, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna Campus.
This open call comprises three public art commissions: 1 Brick Wall, 2 Courtyard, 3 Stairwell. For each commission, two artists will be invited to develop a sketch proposal.The building is scheduled for completion in 2029.
Background
Region Stockholm is planning to construct a new radiotherapy building of approximately 4,000 square metres on two levels within the Karolinska Solna hospital campus. The ground floor will accommodate three radiotherapy bunkers, along with several waiting areas, examination rooms, consultation rooms, and staff facilities. The upper floor is planned to provide administrative workspaces for staff as well as technical service areas. The clinic will receive approximately 100 adult patients for radiation therapy each day. Patients visit the clinic repeatedly during treatment and are generally well informed about their diagnosis and care. The target audiences for the artworks are patients, healthcare professionals and family members.
The Artistic Commissions
Art enriches people's encounters with healthcare environments. The purpose of this art project is to contribute to a thoughtfully designed and supportive environment for patients, staff and visitors. The commissions should contribute to a well-designed environment that reinforces a sense of safety and calm for patients, relatives and staff.
All commissions involve building-integrated artworks and therefore require sensitivity to the site's functions and technical conditions, as well as the ability to collaborate effectively with both art project manager and construction project manager. Artists will receive support throughout these processes from the project management team and representatives from the healthcare service.
Site 1. Brick Wall
The artwork will welcome patients, staff and relatives at the central brick wall adjacent to the self-check-in area at the main entrance. From here, the corridor continues on to the building's various functions.
Site 2. Courtyard
The courtyard marks the end point of the main corridor's sightline. The artwork will contribute to a coherent spatial experience and provide patients, staff and visitors with an engaging view from waiting areas and offices. The public will also be able to experience the artwork, as the courtyard is freely accessible from the outside.
Site 3. Stairwell wall
The artwork will mark the building's staff entrance and will be clearly visible both at close range and from a distance to patients, staff and relatives. Passers-by on the street outside the building will also be able to experience the illuminated artwork, which will contribute to a sense of safety both indoors and outdoors.
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Please note that the conditions and requirements for each commission are described under the expandable tabs.
Expression of Interest
Professional artists are invited to submit an Expression of Interest for the commissions.
In the Expression of Interest, applicants shall provide contact details and references to previous work.
Applicants must also confirm that they have reviewed and accepted all requirements and conditions described in this open call and are able to undertake the commission.
The Cultural Administration intends to invite six artists for sketch assignments, two artists for each site. Submission of completed sketch proposals is planned for the end of February 2027. Based on the submitted proposals, decisions on implementation will be made.
- The reference number for the Expression of Interest is KN 2026/855.
- Deadline for submitting the Expression of Interest: 21 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
- The decision on the awarded commissions will be announced in March 2027.
Requirements
Region Stockholm’s Art Commissions are subject to the following requirements:
- The artwork shall possess strong artistic integrity, demonstrate conceptual complexity and contribute to a visually engaging environment.
- The artwork(s) shall respond to the characteristics and conditions of the healthcare environment, including physical safety, accessibility requirements, transportation flows and other operational considerations.
- Environmental considerations shall be taken into account in relation to material selection and production methods. Artists awarded commissions undertake, through their contract with the Cultural Administration, to use environmentally responsible materials wherever possible and to manage hazardous substances and waste in accordance with applicable regulations. Chemicals included on Region Stockholm's phase-out lists for environmentally and health hazardous substances may not be used. The lists will be provided when sketch assignments are awarded.
- Artworks acquired for Region Stockholm's healthcare environments must be suitable from a maintenance and management perspective. Artists must present solutions for the care and maintenance of the artwork and ensure an adequate level of long-term durability.
Budget
Sketch Fees
- Commission 1, Brick wall: SEK 50,000 excluding VAT
- Commission 2, Courtyard: SEK 60,000 excluding VAT
- Commission 3, Stairwell wall: SEK 60,000 excluding VAT
Implementation Budgets
- Commission 1, Brick Wall: SEK 600,000 excluding VAT
- Commission 2, Courtyard: SEK 1,300,000 excluding VAT
- Commission 3, Stairwell: SEK 1,100,000 excluding VAT
The artist is responsible for managing the budget.
The budget shall cover all costs associated with the production of the artwork, including artist fees, copyright and intellectual property costs, subcontractors and assistants, travel, material costs, transportation, insurance, storage until installation, and installation itself.
Ground preparation, concrete foundations, electrical installations and related construction work will be provided by Region Stockholm.
Project Timeline
- 21 August 2026 Open call published
- 21 September 2026, 11:59 PM (CET) Deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest
- November 2026 Artists selected for sketch assignments
- February 2027 Submission of sketch proposals
- March 2027 Artists selected for final commissions
- April 2027 Production start for the commissioned artwork
- 2029 Artworks completed and installed on site
Please note that the construction schedule is preliminary and may change during the course of the project. Production of the artworks will follow the overall schedule of the construction project.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for a public Art Commission for Region Stockholm, you must fulfil these following requirements:
- You must be a professional artist.
- When the commission is awarded to you, you must be able to send legally valid invoices in compliance with relevant tax regulations, for example by being registered for Swedish F-tax (as a sole trader or company).
Assessment of Submitted Applications of Interest
The artist’s Application of Interest with CV and visual material of previous artworks form the basis of assessment.
Based on the criteria in the Art Commission's open call, a selection of artists who are deemed to have the experience and expertise necessary for carrying out the requested task will be made.
Consistent with the diversity the visitors represent and the conditions of the site and the activities, four quality criteria will be taken into consideration in assessment situations:
- richness of variations
- content sustainability
- material sustainability
- accessibility
These four criteria will function as a tool in order to pose relevant and critical questions.
Awarding of Assignments
Region Stockholm intends to invite six (6) artists/artists groups to a sketch assignment. The sketch assignment does not automatically result in the awarding of the Art Commission. Three (3) artist is awarded the commission when the Agreement for the Implementation of a Public Art Commission has been signed.
The decision on which artists will be invited to a sketch assignment will be made by the Director of the Art Department, delegated by the Culture Committee. Artists who are invited to a sketch assignment will be notified by telephone or e-mail.
Under current law, confidentiality applies for Region Stockholm until the decision on the awarding of the Art Commission has been made.
The decision on the awarding of the Art Commission will be published on Region Stockholm’s website in March, 2027.
Questions about the Open Call
For general information on our Art Commissions and requirements, please consult the webpage "Questions and Answers on Public Art Commission".
Specific questions concerning the project should be submitted in writing via the contact formular on this webpage. All questions received will be published together with the answers.
Submit your questions by September 15th, 2026 to receive an answer before the final application deadline.
Language and Commissioning Agency
Language
The open call of this Art Commission is conducted in Swedish. A non-binding translation of the open call is available in English. Application to the open call can be done in both Swedish and English.
Commissioning Agency
Region Stockholm is the Commissioning Agency and will be party to the agreements with the artists. Region Stockholm’s Culture Administration manages the art project, which includes the application and selection process.
Expression of Interest
- Uppdaterad: 1 september 2026
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Frågor
Inkommande frågor med svar till utlysningen. / Incoming questions and Answers for this Open Call.