Artist in Residence Exchange Programme

AIR ©Lostgens' Contemporary Art Space KL | BASIS e.V. Frankfurt

The Artist-In-Residence exchange program or AIR aims at supporting and encouraging contemporary visual arts, as well as promoting international exchange between Frankfurt and Kuala Lumpur.
It offers young Malaysian artists the chance to gain experience, enhance their practice, and build networks.
This programme is only open for Malaysian artists and prioritises those who are practicing arts in the country.  

About the programme

The application platform will open once a year for submissions. Emerging visual artists from both countries can apply for the scholarships by submitting a cover letter, application form, and project proposal.

A panel of juries in each city will shortlist the applicants. This shortlist will be sent to the final juries in the host countries, who will choose the scholarship winner. The jury’s decision is final. In Malaysia, only shortlisted applicants will be notified. The winner will be announced on the institute’s social media and website.

The residency lasts three months in the host city. The recipient will receive €1,000 per month for living expenses. The host organization will provide return flight tickets, three months of accommodation, a working studio, curatorial support, and help connecting with the local artist network. The recipient can also present a project at the end of the residency, with financial support provided.

Artists in Residence 2023

August - September 2023

Laila Böcker

Laila Böcker, a visual artist from Offenbach, has travelled extensively to many parts in the country including Melaka, Penang, Perak, Terengganu, Sabah, and Sarawak. She conducted an artist sharing entitled “Honey, It’s Not What U Think It Is" at Lostgens where she shared her previous works and what it means to be an artist based in Offenbach.

Laila Böcker © Laila Böcker © Laila Böcker

October - December 2023

Xeem Noor

For Xeem, the residency became an unexpected journey of self-awareness. Initially, she planned to gather data through interviews and observations, but soon realized Germans value privacy. Even living in studio buildings, it was hard to meet others. As a homebody, she settled into solitude. To adapt, she made intuitive watercolor sketches, which felt like new friends, prompting her to reflect on her experience in a foreign place. 

Xeem Noor © Xeem Noor © Xeem Noor

About BASIS Frankfurt

The association "Basis" was founded to create inexpensive studio space for young artists. The Frankfurt project has long become more than a place for the production of contemporary art.

basis e.V. |Projekroom Elbestrasse Frankfurt © basis e.V. 2010 (Detail)

Application

With the institute’s special focus on Borneo, the application for AIR Exchange Programme 2024 is ONLY open for artists who are originally from Sabah. We give priority to Sabahan artists who are practicing arts in Sabah, but we also welcome application for Sabahan artists who are currently based in other Malaysian states. 
 

AIR Frankfurt © BASIS e.V. Frankfurt

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