Tbilisi Air
Tbilisi Air
Tbilisi AiR is a non-profit, artist-led residency dedicated to interdisciplinary and experimental exchange in art and culture. It welcomes artists, curators, and practitioners of all backgrounds who are driven by curiosity, research, and a willingness to engage with new contexts. The program hosts international participants for one to three months, supporting process-driven practices and fostering dialogue with local artists, scholars, and cultural professionals.
Rather than starting from scratch, Tbilisi AiR builds on existing artistic and social contexts. It provides space for experimentation and research, encouraging connections that may later develop into projects, collaborations, or exhibitions. The residency is open to individuals and collectives of all ages and career stages, prioritizing exploration over production.
Operating within a fragile institutional landscape shaped by political and financial instability, Tbilisi AiR emphasizes the importance of presence, exchange, and long-term impact. Residencies are seen as part of an ongoing process: ideas and relationships developed during the stay often extend beyond it, contributing to a growing, shared cultural memory.
Tbilisi itself functions as both a reflective space and a laboratory; rewarding attention, inviting curiosity, and leaving lasting impressions. The program unfolds through encounters, conversations, and shared processes, supported by a flexible structure that balances guidance with autonomy.
Drawing on an evolving network, the residency adapts to participants’ needs and interests. It encourages organic collaboration and engagement with local initiatives, allowing each resident to shape their own path while contributing to the broader cultural ecosystem.
For Tbilisi Air, continuity and sustainability are important elements. What matters is that something remains after the residency, a trace of the artist’s process, knowledge, or connections, that future residents can learn from or build on.
The residents are expected to:
- Offer at least one public presentation of their work or research; such as an artist talk, screening, lecture, performance, or workshop
- Contribute to the residency’s evolving archive (physical/online), leaving traces that inform future participants and shape the ongoing life of the program
The residency is located in a vibrant central area of Tbilisi, with easy access to the city via the underground network and public transport. The history of the apartment reflects the experimental and adaptive spirit of the residency. Its urban context offers a distinctive vantage point from which residents can observe, engage with, and navigate Tbilisi.
The space offers private living and working facilities, including a terrace with views over the city. The residency is not equipped for advanced media production, but basic tools and facilities are available to support experimental and process-driven work. Residents are encouraged to bring any specialized equipment required for their projects.
The residency provides accommodation, studio space, and ongoing support from the residency team. Residents can draw on the team for feedback, practical guidance, and assistance in realizing projects, including research support, production help, and technical advice. Limited translation services are available when needed. Residents gain access to the residency’s network of local artists, institutions, and initiatives, and receive guidance in navigating the Tbilisi art and cultural scene.
Tbilisi AiR is located within a 120 m² space, including a fully private 50 m² live/work studio apartment that integrates living and working areas. The structure was originally built in the 1980s as an informal rooftop extension atop a late Soviet-era residential block.
The residency is not active during the following periods due to holidays and seasonal conditions:
- Mid-December to mid-January. New Year is celebrated twice in Georgia, according to both the modern and old calendars. This results in an extended festive period, during which much of the city slows down.
- Mid-July to mid-August: It is advisable not to stay in the city due to the heat.
Residencies during this time may still be arranged upon request.
Based in Tbilisi, Georgia’s cultural hub, the residency draws on the city’s vibrant artistic and social networks. The city itself unfolds as a constellation of overlapping realities, constantly forming and reforming between past and present. Informal infrastructures and shifting narratives leave traces of lives, ideas, and historical moments, fragments of unfinished stories that invite attention and exploration. In this dynamic landscape, every encounter can open a new path.