About AIR (Arts-in-Residence) Taipei
Since the establishment of Taipei Artist Village (TAV), the Department of Cultural Affairs, Taipei City Government has actively launched exchange programs with other international artist villages in different cities across the globe. Taipei Artist Village has developed a systematic artist selection process, which helps fulfill its objective of bringing art and culture together in the city. As of December 2009, More than 200 international artists from 42 countries had stayed at TAV as artists-in-residence, and nearly 100 Taiwanese artists had also participated in artist-in-residence programs abroad. Within 10 short years, TAV has taken on a lead role in providing a platform for international artistic and cultural exchange. It is currently the largest artist village in Taiwan, and the only one able to sponsor international exchange programs in Taipei.
In January 2008, the Artist-in-Residence Program transcended the physical confines of the TAV grounds, with the launch of AIR (Arts-in-Residence) Taipei. This program encompasses not only Taipei Artist Village in the city center, but also Grass Mountain Artist Village, located in Yangmingshan National Park. The joint operation of the two artist villages creates a greater space for cross-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogue, and provides the city with a diverse platform where the strength and possibilities of art can be developed and spread to other corners of the world.
Mission
With Taipei City as its backdrop, AIR Taipei encourages freedom and opportunity for innovation in the production of visual art, the performing arts, literature, and cultural and creative products, fostering artistic and cultural exchange between Taiwan and the rest of the world.
Vision
AIR Taipei strives to make Taipei a creative city by promoting interaction between artists working in different fields and the general public. We hope to build a strong local and global network that will help to develop AIR Taipei as one of the leading sites for art and culture in Asia.
Scope of Services
1) Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program
AIR Taipei provides residency programs for artists in Taiwan and around the world.
There are three main components to the Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program:
‧AIR exchange program with other institutions
‧Residency program for international artists
‧Sponsoring program for Taiwanese artists abroad
Residence projects from 3 categories are requested:
．Projects from Individual Artists or Teams
．Projects from Creative Industry
．Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Business-Arts Projects
The international residency program plans to offer residencies for individual or groups of artists. Applications from both types are equally considered. In 2008, Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program also initiated its "breaking the boundaries plan," to encourage domestic artists to positively challenge themselves by participating in the international arts community. The AIR Program will provide awards for artists who have been successfully admitted to exchange programs abroad.
The Taipei Artist Village and the Grass Mountain Artist Village are perfect locations for the international AIR program, which provides artists from Taiwan and around the world with a common place for collaboration. There are almost 30 countries and many more organizations currently participating in the exchange program with TAV, including: Red Gate (China), SSAMZIE Space (Korea), Asian Studies Program of Colorado College (U.S.A), Lafayette College (U.S.A), the SACATAR Foundation (Brazil), Cultures France & Cite International des Arts (France), Triangle Arts Trust (U.K), Gasworks (U.K), Gozo Contemporary (Malta), Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary Art (Egypt), Australia-China Council (Australia), Asia Link (Australia), the City of Perth & Central TAFE (Australia) and others. One of TAV’s goals is to build strong relationships with other cities around the world, particularly in Asia, and to make more contributions in the field of art.
2) Exhibition and Performance
Every year, AIR Taipei develops a regular exhibition/performance schedule for both resident artists and the local art community in order to promote interaction between the artists and the general public. The exhibitions and performances of AIR Taipei help artists to establish connections with other artists and institutions around the world and to further explore Taipei City so that they can return home with meaningful experiences.
3) Art Promotion Program
AIR Taipei organizes a variety of events such as open studios, workshops, school campus art outreach seminars, educational programs, as well as meetings with curators, to promote artistic awareness and ultimately support artists’ projects.
