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In May 2007 InterSpace launched a residence space for artists, curators and researchers working in the area of new media and in the broader field of contemporary arts and culture. Establishing a permanent residential centre to host creative initiatives from abroad has been one of our long-term objectives. The purpose of the Artists-in-Residence program will be to establish a regular communication of artists interested in implementing their projects in Bulgaria, and provide them with the space and networking tools required to make their best use of the favourable location provided by AiR.Space.

Being well-linked with other organizations in the country and in the Balkan region, we have always been devoted to providing the best working conditions and networking environment for our residents. In a couple of hours by car our residents can reach Istanbul, Bucharest, Belgrade, Thessaloniki, Skopje or Novi Sad, and thus have the valuable opportunity to meet and work with partner organizations from around the Balkans, roam about and explore a whole new region. Our guests will also have the opportunity to benefit from the connections with the artistic world of Bulgaria that InterSpace has established through the years. Being networked with art centres in Central and Eastern Europe, AiR.Space shares the common goal of „Opening the Closed Shops“ and aims to help the residents explore and engage with the local cultural scene.

At present there are almost no regular artistic residence programs in Bulgaria. After many years of running project-based residencies, InterSpace is starting to promote our newly acquired space as a base for residential activities. We are developing a framework for an ongoing residential program with a continuous application process and strong networking links with residential programs and databases all across the Balkans, the European Union and potentially all around the globe.

To further expand our networking capacities, the strategy of AiR.Space includes participation in such artistic residency networks as ResArtis and TransArtist, along with the development of sound connections with residential programmes in our neighbouring countries and such prominent art centres as Istanbul, Belgrade, Skopje, Budapest, Bucharest, Thessaloniki, etc. setting the ground for future cooperation in joint activities and exchange programmes. Thus AiR.Space will promote and be part of an important network, through which we can gain and share experience, make our work more visible and find residents who would be interested in our program.

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