LOORE 2025- looking back

The calendar year has changed its number, and with it comes the time to reflect on the past year. It has been an active year for LOORE—one shaped by collaboration, new initiatives, and growth.

At the end of February, LOORE launched an open call for its second major project supporting Ukrainian artists, offering residency opportunities across the network. The response was overwhelming: we received 230 applications, from which 10 artists were selected. The chosen artists stayed or will stay at nine different residencies from June 2025 through 2026.

In early March, Evelyn Grzinich introduced LOORE at the TransCultural Exchange conference in Boston, USA. The presentation received very positive feedback and sparked strong interest in our network and residency programmes.

In April, LOORE’s members gathered at TYPA for the organisation’s general assembly. A new board was elected and it was decided to move forward with a two-person coordination model. Shortly after, a strategic plan for 2026–2029 was started to set clearer goals for the coming years. Members and other partners were involved, and now the strategy is almost completed.

In summer, we started a collaboration with communication expert Karin Kahre to raise the visibility of LOORE and its members, and to reach policymakers. Throughout the year, we have kept the tradition of our online coffee mornings to stay connected and discuss what matters most. 

In the autumn, LOORE conducted a survey among its members to better understand the current situation of residencies, the challenges they face, and the value the network brings. The results have been a valuable input for the 2026–2029 strategy.

October was a particularly active month. We met with representatives of the Estonian Artists’ Association to map potential areas for future collaboration. The meeting was productive, and we will continue working together next year with more concrete steps. It also strengthened our confidence in collaborating with other organisations in the field. In October, LOORE also took part in KUVA focus group discussions.

That same month, we sent out our first newsletter and have continued with monthly editions since then. October culminated in the annual meeting, which took the form of a bus tour visiting Copper Leg, Eesti Kirjanduse Selts residency, Kullaaugu, Maajaam, VARES, Rüki, MASSIA and Susimetsa Philosophicum. The tour brought together members and also invited guests.

In December, LOORE launched a third open call for Ukrainian creatives, offering seven residency opportunities to seven artists within the network.

LOORE is pleased to continue the conversation with Nordic and Baltic residency networks to explore collaboration opportunities. We have mapped our shared interests, and one potential project is an impact survey. 

We are very grateful to our funders this year: Estonian Cultural Endowment, Nordic Culture Point and the Estonian Ministry of Culture.

LOORE is shaped by its members – it’s your collaboration, shared ideas and support for one another that give the network its character and strength. Thank you all.

Peace!

Niina-Anneli Kaarnamo and Evelyn Grzinich

LOORE co-coordinators