The project coordinated by K2 Contemporary Art Association titled: Creating a Network Among CSOs and Public Institutions Through “Artist in Residence” Program, has been entitled to be supported as part of the “CSO Partnerships and Networks on Strengthening Cooperation Between Public Sector and CSOs Grant Scheme” financed by the European Union and the Republic of Turkey and conducted by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate for EU Affairs within the framework of the Civil Society Support Program.
One of the 10 projects from Turkey that has been entitled for the grant, the project with the short title “daire” aims to build capacities of public institutions and CSOs in Turkey in the field of art by enhancing good cooperation among them in order to provide their involvement in policy-making and decision-making processes.
The project is realized with the partnership of NomadMind Association (İzmir), Troya Culture Association (Çanakkale), Hatay Metropolitan Municipality and SCCA – Center for Contemporary Arts (Ljubljana, Slovenia).
The Project is conducted in 9 cities of Turkey: İzmir, Çanakkale, Hatay, İstanbul, Sinop, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Nevşehir and Mersin.
“Artist-in-Residence Program” practices are becoming increasingly widespread in Turkey as is the case with the world. By this method, artists are afforded an opportunity of being a guest in a place outside of their existing living and working environments. These programs are also significant for creating networks between individuals and institutions in the related area of practice.
As part of daire, the Selection Committee selects 9 artists who are experienced and knowledgeable in the related subject, in order to conduct the “Artist-in-Residence Program” in 9 cities. The participating artists-in-residence in each of the 9 programs conducted by these 9 artists are determined by The Advisory Board through a national open call. Attending these programs is also possible within reasonable bounds, for local artists in these 9 cities. In this respect, it is aimed to expand the created network as well as increasing participation and sustainability.
The project which includes activities aiming to enhance management and communication capacities of CSOs, intends to raise a general awareness in the area of contemporary art starting with the opening meeting until the closing event.
In this purpose, in all of these 9 cities, İzmir being the center; presentation meetings, needs assessments, resource evaluations, workshops, panel discussions, performances and exhibitions are being arranged with public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and university representatives.
daire, launched on January 15th, 2019, will continue until January 14th, 2021.
daire (“circle” in English), is designated as the project’s name as it characterizes an inclusive habitation and symbolizes nature’s rhythm in a sense of “being in union”. daire as it links the center and its premises in an integral way, contains infinite possibilities within itself. It appears as a complementary space that holds everyone and everything included. For that matter, it provides a basis for pluralism. The institutions, foundations, initiatives and individuals which set a course in contemporary arts, become a part of a new understanding and method.
daire; evolves as it diffuses to the chosen 9 cities where K2 and its project partners already have organic links. It proceeds as these cities are embraced as working and researching spaces, where thinking processes of the projects and presentations were already based at. The integration of the participating artists’ in ecological, cultural and sociological sense, are reflected on their production process. In this way, interaction itself becomes one of the mediums that is in use. The network that is created by contemporary art practices, plays a significant role in civil society’s growth specific to societal interaction.
