Arts Collaboratory

Through its activities Triangle Arts Trust encourages experimentation, artists' mobility, exchange, and fresh thinking; with an emphasis on process and professional development. Following their mission of stimulating exchange of ideas between artists from different backgrounds, cultures and geographical locations, the Trust is coordinating the Knowledge and Skills Sharing Residency Programme. This programme aims to increase knowledge and skills on arts management within the participating organisations.

The main outcomes of these arts management residencies are: 

• The development of a more professional workforce with specialised knowledge of working with artists on a local and international level;
• Stronger and more ambitious programming within artists’ organisations as a result of hands-on training;
• Strengthening of artists-led initiatives, through sharing the knowledge and experience acquired by working in different contexts.

These residencies are designed to give coordinators the opportunity to share experiences, knowledge and skills for the benefit of the organisations, local artists and the community in which they work. The residencies are organised as hands-on projects, with visiting coordinators becoming involved in the life of the host organisation and contributing to projects with their skills and expertise. Similarly, the host offers the visiting coordinator support through their particular knowledge and skills, so that both sides are able to learn from each other.

So far there have been four Knowledge and Skills Sharing Residencies from a series of fifteen residencies planned to take place over an 18-month period:

1: Sally Mizrachi from Lugar a Dudas hosted Yuneikys Villalonga from Batiscafo (December 2009):

"I am very grateful for this opportunity of visiting Colombia, which has been one of the most important professional experiences ever and I am sure will have a great impact in my work. I have left many contacts there now, and hope to follow up ideas/projects for the future.” Yuneikys Villalonga, Batiscafo, Cuba.

2: Bisi Silva from Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) Lagos, Nigeria hosted Thom Ogonga from Kuona Trust, Kenya (February/March 2010):

“The Knowledge and Skills Sharing Programme for me was a huge success. Though CCA Lagos and Kuona Trust are both trusts founded on similar objectives, it was interesting to see and be part of how CCA Lagos approached their activities and how committed they are in trying to shift the dynamics of the Nigerian art scene. I can't wait to experiment with some of CCA's approaches and try to borrow some of their strengths for Kuona Trust activities.” Thom Ogonga, Kuona Trust, Kenya.

3: Goddy Leye from Art Bakery, Cameroon hosted Zenzele Chulu from Insaka, Zambia (February/March 2010):

“It was one the most important developments for me to come to Cameroon and take up the residency at Art Bakery. The quality of exchange is what networks need in order to emerge as community-based working art projects and organisations.” Zenzele Chulu, Insaka, Zambia.

4: Kate Tarratt-Cross from Greatmore Studios, South Africa hosted Kwaku Kiss (Castro) from SaNsA, Ghana (March/April 2010):

“Castro was a real asset to us. He was so enthusiastic and got straight into it as soon as he arrived. He was an absolute help in every way and made a real contribution to the studios.” Kate Tarratt-Cross, Greatmore Studios, South Africa.

For more detailed information on the Knowledge and Skills Sharing Residency Programme please check out the Triangle Arts Trust entries in our Blog section.