AiR Zusa

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. Residency: AiR zusa 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. How is AiR zusa different from other residencies? The majority of residences place emphasis on the final result, but AiR zusa recognizes 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.

The residency programme is organised in a 160 sqm fully equipped apartment in Berlin- Lichtenberg with 2 large shared spaces (one for working and one kitchen/dining/living space), 4 private bedrooms, a bathroom, 2 balconies and plenty of calming green areas around.

Lichtenberg, Berlin

The aim is to raise awareness on well-being in the cultural sector and amplify the positive reverberations that are rendered by fostering the creation of safer spaces for artists and cultural professionals.