Volunteering 2024-2025

49 DAYS
LATVIAN COUNTRY SIDE
ART
CULTURE
COMMUNITY
BUILD
CREATE
SUPPORT
ENGAGE

SANSUSĪ IS WATH?

We support and promote contemporary performing art and music.
We introduce contemporary arts to new audiences.
We educate our audiences through new experiences.
We give artists the possibility to perform what they desire.
We continuously rethink what an artist residence is.

We grow towards community well being.
We look for ways on how to connect and engage artists with communities.
We improve ways on how art and culture can be made through the experience and exchange between an artist and another human being or collective.

We redesign what a concert or festival means.
We look for new forms, shapes and spaces in artistic culture, production, design. We continue to re-arrange and re-create what we have found and developed.
We learn to fill spaces with inclusive experience.

VOLUNTEERING TEAMS IN SANSUSĪ

It can be great and hard core at the same time. Our days can go by chilling with artists and supporting their creative or practical processes. They can also be a non-stop building days for events till late night. Our evenings might end with jamming at bonfire or 20-min discos at midnight forest bliss.
The more you are in, the more you get.

WORKSHOPS FOR COMMUNITIES

There is a possibility for you to get in touch with the local community –
either by creating a workshop for them or creating connection with
them through arts. It is not a one time thing. We look for commitment
and care in this exact activity. We also know that this might not be for
everyone. That’s ok. There are many others things to do.

SUPPORT ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

Sansusī might have a couple of residing
artists during the summer. They develop
their own ideas and work with local
communities. They might need technical
support. Or might want to cooperate with
others. Or might need anyhting else.
This trully comes in different forms and
shapes and cannot be predicted. They also
might be people who don’t talk or engage
with volunteers or others.

One year we were building an outside
structure from peat blocks. It was beautiful
fulfilling and exhausting. It’s still with us.
Slowly growing into a forest.

YOUR OWN PROJECT

We trully look for those who want to
create. Either it’s performance,
theatre, poem, audio piece, sculpture
etc. There are many forms.
You can go solo or collaborate with
those around you. Explore. Let
surroundings bring more to you.
Experiment. Find new ways for self and
expression. Practice. Share what you
create.

p.s.You do not need to be an artist or
identify as one to be able to create.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO:

• 18-30 year old
• from EU countries (preferably Bulgaria, Finland, Greece & Spain but not limited to)
• motivation to learn, initiate, and get involved in the activities of Sansusī (artist residence, local community, contemporary arts festival, other music & arts events)
• education, experience or at least real interest in the field of arts and culture
• optional local volunteering experience in other organisations
• interest in social inclusion and civic society
• being ok with flexible working hours
• not afraid to try new things to do and learn (or
  at least ready to try even if you are afraid!)

PRACTICALS – HOUSING

During your ESC project, your accommodation is fully covered by the program costs. The place where you will live
and spend most of the time is called Susēja. It used to be a guest house. Now it’s an artist residence centre
surrounded by small forest. Usually 2 artists are in the residence and hopefully you will have a chance to work
with them.
You will sleep in the house in front of the residence center in a big dormitory room. We call it the Sauna House.
You’ll be free to decorate it and make it your own space as it suits you. The week prior to the festival, you will
share the Sauna House with local volunteers.
In the residence center, there are 4 bathrooms and 8 toilets, one big kitchen to cook and eat inside on rainy days,
common working room, terrace outside. There is Wi-Fi. Not the strongest one, but it works. And if it won’t be
enough, we will get another router.
We have projector, music system, stage lights, grand piano and probably we can get many other things if needed.
We also have a dome stage that can be used for concerts, performances, theatre, dance, circus, practice and a lot
more.
In the beginning of August the whole place will be very busy because then the festival Sansusī will happen. Each
year we gather up to 500-700 people (let’s see what will be allowed this summer). This is important as during this
one week your comfort will be less comfortable and convenient. But it will be magical!

PRACTICALS – TRANSPORT & INSURANCE

Susēja residence centre is 3 km away from nearby small town Aknīste (with nearest shops!). Furthest
community place is 4 km away where activities might take place. To these locations you can either walk or
take a bicycle. In case activities take place further away – for example we are creating an event in another
region of Latvia – we will cover your travel costs.
Before you arrive you will need to have European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – if you don’t know what it is
ask us or your sending organisation will explain it.
You will also have Henner insurance that covers all the medical costs planned or occurred during the
volunteering service.

PRACTICALS – FINANCES

Pocket Money
You will receive 5 €/day for your personal expenses.

Food
You will receive 6,5 €/day for your food expenses. We encourage cooking together at least once a day.

In total you will receive 563.5 € for 49 days.

Travel Costs – arrival & departure
Travel costs from and to Susēja will be reimbursed and calculated using the official distance calculator from
Erasmus+ website. Using green travel, which we highly encourage you to do, it goes from 285 € to 535 € both ways depending how far is your residencw country.

PRESS HERE TO APPLY

More questions?
Contact us via mail: rezidences@sansusi.lv
FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/sansusifestivals

Apply here:
https://tinyurl.com/SVP24-Form

SANSUSĪ VOLUNTEERING PROJECT-SVP