AAIR is a artist-oriented organization that grants time, space and mobility to national and international artists. AAIR wishes to create a sustainable context for artistic development.
AAIR:
- conducts a supportive local artist studio policy;
- establishes international residency exchanges;
- sets up a development platform for young local artists;
- actively engages in contemporary discourses on residencies and artist studio’s policies.
AAIR operates from a location in the heart of Antwerp clustering the various ambitions of the organization. The director’s house of the former biscuit factory De Beuckelaer, behind the Antwerp Zoo, houses three living and working spaces for international residents, the collective workspace of the annual international development platform STRT Kit, and the organization’s office. In the monastery nextdoor, AAIR rents out 30 affordable workspaces to 50 artists.
AAIR emerged from the synergy between Air Antwerpen and Studio Start. Both organizations have long endeavoured to create an ideal working environment for artists; Studio Start targeted Antwerp artists and creative entrepreneurs, while AIR Antwerpen concentrated on international visual artists. Over the course of eight years, an ongoing conversation between Studio Start and AIR Antwerpen led to an intensifying collaboration resulting in AAIR’s long-term vision: a new artist-oriented organization whose mission, operation, and structure contributes to the careers of inter/national artists.
Ploegstraat 27,
2018 Antwerp
info@aair.be
+32 (0)3 430 80 20
Greet Vlegels
(general director)
greet@aair.be
+32 (0)494 54 87 03
Alan Quireyns
(artistic director)
alan@aair.be
+32 (0)471 41 78 79
Philippe Verdonckt
(building manager)
philippe@aair.be
+32 (0)474 56 48 77
Charlotte Van Buylare
(coordinator residencies and production)
charlotte@aair.be
+32 (0)485 87 09 97
Isabel Van Bos
(project coordinator STRT kit)
isabel@aair.be
+32 (0)486 33 65 67
Steven Holsbeeks
(coordinator spaces and communication)
steven@aair.be
+32 (0)486 68 92 70
AAIR is an artist-oriented organisation offering fine artists space, time and mobility for the development of their practices, which it achieves by renting out an increasing number of ateliers in Antwerp – more precisely: 141 (shared) workspaces in 13 buildings for more than 200 users, in which a supportive atelier policy is implemented and a development platform for young local artists is offered. We also set up international exchanges for Flemish artists and long-term working stays in Antwerp for artists from abroad, with a view to promoting artistic development, production and presentation.
AAIR grew out of a collaboration between STUDIO START vzw and ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE ANTWERPEN vzw. Over the past 15 years, a strong international network of partnerships has been built up and a large number of artists have been invited for residences and sent out on exchange, which has established an international reputation for AAIR.
AAIR is looking for an Artistic Director.
Function:
In consultation with an artistic committee and the General Director, you will develop an artistic vision for AAIR that connects local and international operations, supporting and reinforcing AAIR’s overall vision. You are responsible for the realisation of the artistic objectives as defined and approved by our board of directors.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- With AAIR’s existing vision as your point of departure, you will develop and realise an artistic plan for the future of AAIR.
- Together with the General Director, you are responsible for the artistic, organisational and financial realisation of the artistic programme.
- You monitor the quality of AAIR’s projects and selections. You are responsible for drawing up open calls and selection procedures and you also participate in the juries.
- You guide artists through a structured process, with time and space as the foundational factors, by which they develop their practice in a site-specific and contextual manner.
- You coordinate the support given to the artists in residence and build up a network of production and exhibition spaces for this purpose.
- You devise a reflective programme to aid the public understanding of the artistic activities.
- In dialogue with the artists, you provide input to the Communications Manager regarding programmes and projects.
Profile and skills:
- You already have experience working in a fine arts organisation.
- You are tuned into the sector and its emerging trends, which you can incorporate into the artistic programme and policy and about which you can communicate in an articulate manner.
- You have a national and international network to draw upon and you are motivated to develop this further.
- You are a dynamic person with a strong vision concerning content and good social skills.
- You have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You’re a team player and enjoy building constructive collaborative relationships with artists and your colleagues.
- You are innovative and actively contribute to the results of the organisation as a whole.
- You are at home with objective-based working and budgeting and make well-considered decisions.
- You work in a meticulous, organised and structured manner, you are discreet and cool under pressure, you are enthusiastic and flexible.
We’re offering:
- an artistic function with principle responsibility in your role and general autonomy as part of a committed team in a dynamic, artistic and international working environment, located in the centre of Antwerp.
- a full-time position with a fixed term of 5 years and remuneration in accordance with PC 329.01.
Interested?
Send your motivation letter and CV to Greet Vlegels by 12 noon on 15 November 2019 at the latest: greet@aair.be. Selected candidates will be interviewed at AAIR’s headquarters (Ploegstraat 27, 2018 Antwerp). The successful candidate will commence employment on 1 February 2020.
