art of collaboration

AiR zusa programme

Context

The sustainability of the cultural sector depends on systemic changes that prioritise mental health and care. The art scene has begun acknowledging this fact over the last decades and slowly aligns with this view. By creating supportive work environments, implementing robust policies and acknowledging personal limits, we can foster a cultural sector where workers are valued, protected and able to maintain their long-term well-being. This holistic approach ensures that the cultural sector remains vibrant and resilient, capable of weathering challenges and continuing to enrich society.

Who are we

We are zusa, an international organisation working for and with cultural and civil society actors that strive for change in their social and cultural contexts. We practice and promote the art of collaboration as a force for systemic change. We create, open and give space to process, playfulness and experimentation. 

zusa is based in Berlin and works in Europe, North Africa, West Asia and beyond. At the core of our work and values is a do-it-together approach. Together with partners we create and implement programmes based on collaborative principles.

Format

The residency aims to provide a safer space for artists and cultural professionals who have faced psychological distress after having lived in war-torn countries. By offering a supportive, interdisciplinary environment, the goal is to help them build resilience and networks, especially focusing on those affected by the conflict in Ukraine over the past two years.

The project has the main objectives:

  • Process and reflection: It is not a product-oriented residency programme – we aim to provide the time and resources to improve  the mental health and well-being of cultural professionals living under pressure in their home countries. 
  • Resilience: The residency is prepared based on residents’ personal needs, but we also offer  activities such as external mental health and coaching support, local and international networking, exploration of the local cultural scene, research support, exploration of methods on how to deal with fear and trauma and re-build resilience after having experienced war. 

How are we different from other residencies? The majority of residences place emphasis on the final result, but we recognise that part of being creative also implies being unproductive or taking breaks, even more so when external factors affect us emotionally generating certain blockages. Away from repression, economical issues, stress, the residency invites the cultural workers to take the time to rest, and to focus their energy in the direction that they need without any pressure, redefining the concept of productivity and replenishing inner resources.

AiR zusa diary

Timeline

2022
In times of forced migration, conflicts and uncertainty for the cultural sector, our mission is to offer a place for rest, reflection and healing. In 2022, we hosted 15 talented residents from countries affected by crises who came to Berlin to ground themselves, connect to local communities and extend their networks. It was just the beginning of building a community where creativity thrives alongside well-being. We are grateful for the financial support with funds from the Goethe-Institut and special funding programme “Residenzen für bildende Künstler:innen aus der Ukraine” organised by Kunstfonds together with Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (BKM).
2023
In 2023, AiR zusa hosted 9 additional residents for a longer period of time, who had the opportunity to enjoy their time between Berlin and Stolzenhagen, either relaxing or participating in small gatherings with friends and former residents. This experience has heightened our awareness of the residency’s impact, and we are grateful for the chance to host such inspiring and talented individuals. The financial support was provided by by the Goethe-Institut and the German Federal Foreign Office in cooperation with Artists at Risk (AR).
2024
Since the beginning of the year, we have hosted 15 additional artists and cultural professionals in Berlin. We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to support their gatherings and initiatives, especially through longer residencies that foster deeper connections. The residency is supported by Culture Moves Europe, funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union and implemented by Goethe-Institut.
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How to apply 

📝 There is no open call or selection process going on at the moment.
  1. open call: which is announced publicly through various channels such as websites, social media platforms, and relevant networks. The call includes information about the programme, its objectives, duration, and application requirements.        
  2.  invitation-based: acknowledging the draining nature of the residency application process and its potential impact on the mental well-being of individuals in the creative sector, we are incorporating an invitation-based method into our selection procedure. This approach uses the existing database derived from previous open calls and networking of AiR zusa.

Contact:

Kasia Zielińska

Project manager AiR zusa zielinska@zusaculture.org

Adina Constantin

AiR zusa Co-curator and Coordinator constantin@zusaculture.org

Keywords:

mental health
resilience
time off
braver space
residencies
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