A.i.R Dubai applications are now open

One of last year's AiR projects from Jessica Mein. This is titled Safety first, 2015 (Courtesy: The Studio, Dubai)

Applications are now open for next year’s Artists-In-Residence (AiR) programme. Art Dubai, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Delfina Foundation and Tashkeel come together every year to host this three month residency in Dubai’s Al Fahidi Historical neighbourhood and as in previous years, the open call is for four UAE-based artists who will work with two international artists and two curators.

The four successful applicants will work towards produce a major new work for Art Dubai Projects, the not-for-profit programme of commissions and site-specific works that are produced for the fair each year. The artists will also be provided with studio space at Tashkeel House from January to March next year.

There will also be a chance for an upcoming Emirati curator to work alongside the international curator, an initiative supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Khalil Abdulwahid, Manager of Visual Arts at the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “The annual Artist-in-Residence programme has set new benchmarks in driving intercultural artistic exchange, one of the priorities of Dubai Culture.

“Having extended our collaboration and support to the initiative since its inception, we are taking it to the next level through a structured and updated programme that enables the participants to experience Dubai’s artistic diversity fully, interact with the artist community, access materials effortlessly and derive inspiration from the city’s cultural identity.”

Yasmina Reggad has been selected to lead the commissions and residency programmes for Art Dubai next year. She will contribute to the selection of artists for A.i.R Dubai and Art Dubai projects and commissions programmes, and will work closely with the artists to develop and produce their site-specific works.

Antonia Carver, Art Dubai’s Fair Director, said: “The annual A.i.R Dubai programme is central to the residency partners’ mission of nurturing emerging artistic and curatorial talent in UAE. The residency provides a unique collaborative work environment and a platform that offers reach to the international art scene.”

* Applications are open until August 21, 2015. For more information about the programme and to apply please visit artdubai.ae/air-dubai/2016.