So What’s Next?
So What’s Next? is an international collaboration exploring what it means to be an artist over 50, the continuity of long artistic careers, and the ways in which age and gender affect artists’ visibility, working opportunities and livelihoods. The project is being developed through collaboration between Ars Longa and the French art community Échangeur²².
Project background
The French artist group Échangeur²² explores the inequalities that emerge where age and gender intersect, and the ways in which experienced artists can maintain visibility and continuity in their work.
The Finnish part of the project began with an open discussion at Ars Longa. The conversation raised questions about what happens to an artist’s career over the course of decades, how age affects opportunities to work, and what kinds of international networks are needed.
The aim is to develop a shared platform bringing together an archive, resources, and a space for artists’ own experiences and stories. It could include texts, research, open calls, current events and artist-to-artist exchange. All forms of expression are possible – text, audio, video, podcasts or interviews.
Digital archive of an artist’s life work
Ars Longa is developing an accessible digital archive where artists can gather information about their works, documentation, exhibition histories, and their own accounts of their work and practice. The starting point is the artist’s own voice and a clear, consistent structure.
Research residency in Finland
The research and collaboration strand explores gender, age, artistic careers, mentoring and peer networks. Its aim is to develop preventive and reciprocal models that support artistic practice at different stages of a career.
So What’s Next? is built through conversation, shared experience and international collaboration. The work continues as a joint development between Ars Longa and Échangeur²².