AIR / Artists in residence - Cultural heritage through contemporary practice (spring)

Each year, GRAC invites 4-8 artists through an open call to take part in a residency programme exploring contemporary art in relation to Setesdal cultural heritage, materiality, place, and context. The programme unfolds in three phases: a shared residency in Valle (Setesdal), a period of independent development, and a final production phase leading up to the exhibition.

During the initial residency, artists are introduced to local resources, traditions, and knowledge environments connected to craft, material practices, and the surrounding landscape. This forms the foundation for the development of new artistic work. In the following phase, artists continue working independently, developing their projects further.

The programme culminates in a group exhibition, first presented in Hovden and later shown at GRAC in Kristiansand. The exhibition and event includes newly produced works, installations, and site-specific projects, and is accompanied by artist talks and public events.

GRACs AIR programme explores how local knowledge and cultural heritage can be activated within contemporary art, while positioning Agder as a place for artistic development, production, and exchange.