Terms & Conditions 1. Acknowledgment and Acceptance of Risk. The resident recognizes that participation in all of Arteles programs is voluntary and that there are certain inherent risks that participants voluntarily assume. The resident understands and agrees that neither Arteles nor the officers and employees of Arteles assume any responsibility for damages to or loss of the resident’s property, their personal illness, injury or death to them while participating in any program. By voluntarily participating, the resident freely assumes any risk associated with or arising out of their participation in this program. 2. Insurance. The resident understands and agrees that it is their responsibility to ascertain whether they have adequate health and accident coverage and to procure any other insurance coverage which may be needed. EU citizens are advised to obtain an EU health insurance card in their home country before departure. As a rule, the Finnish health insurance system does not cover the cost of illness or accident incurred by foreigners. However, under specific circumstances and subject to certain conditions, EU citizens have access to public health care under the same conditions as persons with permanent residence in Finland; however, this requires a valid EU health insurance card at minimum. More detailed information on the right of EU citizens to health care in Finland is available from the authorities of the resident’s home country. 3. Medical Treatment. In the event that the resident suffers any injury or illness while participating in an Arteles program, it is the resident’s own responsibility to arrange for and pay for medical treatment. Arteles staff will assist in finding help to the best of their ability; however, they cannot assume liability for securing the right kind of help or proper care. The resident agrees to assume any and all risks associated with or arising from any such medical treatment and agree to waive any and all claims which they might assert against Arteles or the officers and employees of Arteles for such medical treatment. 4. Personal Property & Arteles Property. Arteles nor the officers and employees of Arteles will not be liable or responsible for any of the resident’s personal property, or any personal property delivered to or left at Arteles Creative Center. The Resident is obliged to compensate for any damage (incl. fire & water damages) or loss they will cause to the property of Arteles, including the residency cars and the sauna. 5. Deposit Fee and Registration. To confirm their participation in the residency, the applicant must carry out the registration/deposit fee by the given deadline after receiving the invitation. The payment functions as a confirmation of their stay. The resident is also responsible for covering any possible international money transfer costs charged by the bank. If the applicant does not deliver the payment in time, Arteles has the right to cancel the residency invitation and pass it to another applicant, unless other arrangements have been made. The registration/deposit fee is non-refundable. The actual residency fee is to be paid at least 2 months in advance before starting the program, or by the deadline given by Arteles. 6. Guests, children and pets. Depending on program the residents can be allowed to have short term guests in the residency, for a maximum of three nights. However, the staff must be informed of all visitors. Overnight stays will be charged 50 €/night (depending on program) or according to an agreement between the host and the residency guest. The resident is responsible for their guest and all possible damages or loss to the property of Arteles Creative Center caused by their guest. Children are not permitted at the residency. No pets are permitted at the residency (This prohibition includes support and service animals, without exception). 7. Doors and Keys. if no staff are on site and all residents are leaving the premises, the residents are expected to lock the building's exterior doors. If a resident is given a house key and loses it, a 50 € charge will be applied. Lost car key will be charged from the resident (the amount charged is the cost of a new key) 8. Cleaning and Maintenance. The bedrooms and work spaces are expected to be maintained clean by the residents, and a final cleanup is required before leaving. The residents are to respect other residents by cleaning up after themselves (wash their own dishes, take out the recycling and trash etc.). 9. Code of Conduct (short version — full version available here) 9.1. Harassment, intimidation, bullying, or demeaning behavior—whether written, verbal, or physical—is strictly prohibited. 9.2. Any harmful conduct directed toward other residents, staff, or visitors will not be tolerated. 9.3. Violation of this policy may result in the immediate termination of the residency at the sole discretion of Arteles. 9.4. Residents are expected to consume alcohol responsibly. Irresponsible or disruptive use of alcohol or other substances—particularly when it negatively affects others or the residency environment—will not be tolerated and may result in termination of the residency. 9.5. Smoking and Fire Safety: Smoking and open flames of any kind (including candles and incense) are strictly prohibited inside all buildings and vehicles. Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas. 9.6. Arteles reserves the right to terminate the residency early on these grounds. 9.7. Official complaints or reports concerning violations of this Code of Conduct should be submitted tby following the Complaints Procedure. Anonymous submissions are accepted where applicable. 10 Eligibility 10.1. Minimum Age: Resident must be at least 23 years of age (24 in some programs) during the residency year. 10.2. Education: A university degree (minimum BA) is required. Exceptions may be considered for individuals with relevant experience. 10.3. Acknowledgment of Conditions and Limitations: Due to the retreat-like conditions of the residency and the nature of the program content (e.g., meditation, silent days, limited internet access), underlying mental health issues may be triggered, surface, or intensify. While Arteles strives to support each participant’s creative journey as best as possible, the group setting, shared facilities, rural location, limited resources, and multicultural residency environment require compromises and adaptation from both participants and the organizer. These conditions limit Arteles’ ability to offer extensive individual support or special arrangements without impacting the collective group experience. 10.4. Acknowledgment Regarding Health and Well-being: Arteles residency and its programs are not intended for, suitable for, or able to support individuals who: a. Are in acute psychological distress (e.g., severe anxiety, trauma, depression, or other mental health disorders) b. Would require extensive or clinical psychological and/ or physiological support, or highly personalized or customized conditions c. Have current alcohol or drug addictions, or are in recovery d. Are applying primarily for mental or psychological healing, or with the intent of rehabilitation 10.5. Applicants uncertain about their suitability for the program are to contact Arteles for advice prior to applying. 10.6. By submitting an application and/or paying the registration/deposit fee, the applicant confirms compliance with all eligibility requirements stated above. 11. Use of internet / WIFI Residency internet and WIFI may only be used for lawful purposes and in a manner which we believe to be consistent with the rights of other users. The resident is not allowed to use the internet in a manner which would violate any law or infringe any copyright, trademark, trade secret, right of publicity, privacy right, or any other right of any person or entity. (e.g. downloading or uploading torrents or watching videos online via an illegal website is strictly prohibited.) The internet shall not be used for the purpose of accessing, transmitting, or storing material which is considered obscene, libelous or defamatory. Illegal acts may subject users to prosecution by local, state, federal, or international authorities. We may bring legal action to enjoin violations of this Policy and/or to collect damages, if any, caused by violations. 12. Report and Catalogue. The resident is to compose and submit a project/residency stay report for Arteles Catalogue. The report should be submitted via an online form by the given deadline. Project reports are important for developing and reporting Arteles activities. The resident agrees that Arteles has the right to publish and share the catalogue publication and that Arteles can respectfully (including credits) use the submitted material also on Arteles web page and other medias. The resident has the right to deny the public use of their material. Arteles reserves the right not to publish a resident’s material (in whole or in part) if it is considered unsuitable for the catalogue or context. 13. Documentation. The activities in the residency may be documented by Arteles and the material can be used for Arteles' own promotional purposes. 14. Check-in and Check-out Procedures. The resident will follow all guidelines with respects to check-in and check-out procedures, including not exceeding the dates of the residency period granted, and cleaning up their bedroom and work space before leaving. The resident understands that failure to follow these guidelines will incur a 50 euro fee. 15. Cancelling the Residency. 15.1. The deposit/registration fee is non-refundable. 15.2. A possible cancellation of the residency period should be made at least 60 days in advance of the start of the period. This is a responsibility that selected participants undertake when they register for the program. If the cancellation is made less than 60 days before the start of the residency period, Arteles will refund only 50 percent of the residency fee. If the cancellation is made less than 30 days before the start of the residency period, Arteles will refund only 30 percent of the residency fee. If the cancellation is made less than 7 days before the start of the residency period, no fees will be refunded. 15.3. The refund amount will be calculated based on the funds received in Arteles' bank or PayPal account, not on the amount sent by the payer [This is because the payer may not have covered the full transfer costs, and such fees may reduce the amount received by Arteles.] 15.4. When a refund is issued, any applicable international bank transfer fees will either be deducted from the refunded amount or left to be covered by the recipient. Residents are advised to have insurance that covers cancellations due to medical reasons. 16. Refund Process and Conditions. In the event that a partial or full refund has been agreed upon or promised for a payment already made, the payer must provide their bank account information or other required payment transfer details to Arteles Creative Center in order to facilitate the refund. Arteles shall issue a request for this information via email, using the email address previously employed in communications between the customer (including but not limited to accepted residents or residents) and Arteles. The customer needs to submit the requested payment transfer details within 6 months from the date the email requesting such information is sent. Failure by the customer to provide the necessary details within this period will result in the expiration of the refund, and no further claims for such a refund shall be entertained or processed by Arteles. 17. Waiver, Release, Indemnification and Hold Harmless. By accepting these terms and conditions, the resident waives and releases any and all claims against Arteles Creative Center or officers and employees of Arteles arising out of or relating to the resident’s participation in any Arteles program, including, but not limited to, claims for any injury, loss, damage or accident including motor vehicle, animal bites or injuries from animals, weather or sickness. The resident also agrees to defend indemnify and hold harmless Arteles and the officers and employees of Arteles from any and all liability, claims, lawsuits, judgments, losses, damages and expenses arising out of any financial obligations or liabilities that the resident may personally incur or any damage or injury to the person or property of others that they may cause (incl. fire or water damage), while participating in any Arteles program. 18. Governing Law and Venue. The resident agrees that if there is any dispute concerning their participation in the program or the interpretations of these terms and conditions, any such disagreement shall be determined in accordance with the law of Finland. 19. Termination. Participant noncompliance with any part of the terms of any agreement or contract between the resident and Arteles is grounds for immediate termination of residency. Arteles reserves the right to terminate someone’s residency (without providing a refund of any deposit or residency fee) if it is determined that an individual's behavior jeopardizes the quality of experience for other community members. 20. Force Majeure Arteles reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or end a residency in the event of circumstances beyond its reasonable control. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to, natural disasters (storms, fires, flood etc.), political or civil unrest, public health emergencies, or serious damage to Arteles facilities. In such cases, Arteles shall not be held liable for refunds, compensation, or damages arising from the interruption or cancellation of the residency. 21. Independent Analysis and Binding Authority. By accepting these Terms and Conditions, the resident confirms that they have read and understood this release and waiver of liability, and had the opportunity to seek legal counsel before agreeing. The resident acknowledges that this waiver includes liability for negligence, indemnification, and a hold harmless agreement. Agreement is given by checking the “Terms and Conditions” box in the application form and/or by paying the registration/deposit fee. These Terms and Conditions are binding and supplement, without revoking or modifying, any other agreements or releases related to Arteles. 22. Assurances and Consent. BY ACCEPTING THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS THE RESIDENT STATES THEY HAVE READ ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION AND CONSENTS TO ALL OF THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS. 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