Idea:
Residencies in Berlin in frames of “What’s next?” will focus on two thematic axes “reflection and re-thinking on the idea of solidarity in Europe” and “mental well-being of artists and cultural professionals”. The residents will be encouraged to explore possible interrelations between those two seemingly distant topics. The residencies will be dedicated to experimenting, collaborating, exchanging, and exploring what kind of micro-utopian interaction may art propose in reaching solidarity. How solidarity looks in culture and what is its future in the face of continuing crises affecting the world. Is supporting the mental well-being of arts professionals can become a driving force for the future of solidarity in culture?
Six artists and one curator or researcher or cultural manager will be invited to spend time in Berlin between February and April 2024. Since not all the artists will meet during the residency, the curator/ researcher/ culture manager will team up with invited local curator to interconnect and build a bridge between residencies.
As zusa values lay in fostering collaborations, building trust through collective learning experiences and do-it-together approach, the zusa team will explore with invited residents the tools and methods of collaborations, and will try to build an informal international artistic group with an open space for failure.
During the residencies artists and cultural professionals will be asked to work on their reflection’s diaries on the residency topic. The form of diary will be free of choice e.g., notes, sketches, short videoart, sound recording etc. Other than that, the residents will be expected to prepare two small-scale meetings/ events for a community of artists, culture managers, researchers and friends gathered around AiR zusa programme, zusa and MitOst networks. The form of the meetings will be decided by residents together. The content of events will depend on the residents’ concept but it will be connected to the topics of residencies and overall “What’s next?” idea. The residents will receive coordination support from the zusa team.
The residents will be offered with networking opportunities with Berlin local culture scene as well as external mental health support in forms of individual sessions and group circles which are a fixed component of the residency programme in zusa organisation. There will be a possibility to slow down, take a break in nature in Brandeburg.
To whom:
The residency is dedicated to artists and cultural professionals based in European countries but with focus on Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Austria, and Germany.
The priority will be given to the following disciplines: visual arts, architecture, music, literature. However, we allow for the possibility of extending the group to other disciplines.
zusa welcomes applications from all interested people, regardless of their age, religion, gender and sexual identity.
Timeline:
The call for residencies is open till 26.10.2023, applications must be submitted via the link. The results will be announced no later than in December 2023. The first residencies will start in February 2024. The selection process will be based on portfolios and motivation to join the residency and applications will be assessed by external professionals from zusa network, one representative of “What’s next” consortium and coordinator of AiR zusa programme.
The residents will be welcomed to join “What’s next?” residency for:
-1 month- artists (6 places)
-2 months- curator/ researcher/ cultural manager (1 place)
What do we offer:
- monthly stipend of 1000 EUR, accommodation (in an individual room) in Berlin and travel costs reimbursement up to 200 EUR;
- a safer and supportive environment, where they can work without fear of discrimination or harassment;
- access to our network (Berlin & international);
- there is a possibility to come to residency with family. The resident will be responsible for covering the family members’ travel costs. The additional fellowship will be offered (1 child= 200 EUR, 2 children=300 EUR)
Topics: solidarity in Europe; well-being as a force of change; mental health of cultural professionals; collaboration
If you have any questions, please reach out to AiR zusa team: Adina (constantin@zusaculture.org) or Kasia (zielinska@zusaculture.org)
The concept is part of “What’s next? Safe cultural multi-spaces for the multidisciplinary reflection of (post)war and (post)crisis European identity”- project in a partnership of zusa (Germany), MitOst (Germany), Gabriela Tudor Foundation (Romania), MUSIKTHEATERTAGE WIEN (Austria), proto produkciia (Ukraine), Wrocław Institute of Culture (Poland). Co-funded by the European Union.
