The first artist residency of its kind in Algeria, /A.R.I.A./ responds to the interest expressed by international art practitioners in visiting Algeria because of its history, politics and landscape, as well as to the enthusiasm of their Algerian colleagues to exchange their practice and develop the local art scene. /A.R.I.A/ aims to achieve this by inviting artists to undertake a development and research orientated residency, enabling multilateral bridges locally, regionally and internationally. This presentation will address issues that have informed the development of /A.R.I.A/, including: are residencies an appropriate response to the lack of visibility of the art community from a country underrepresented in the international art world and do residencies help nurture a local art scene? In 2012, /A.R.I.A/ will host an artist from the Maghreb, Nicene Konsentin, followed by Alfredo Jaar. /A.R.I.A./ works in partnership with Algiers-based non-profit Chrysalide which is dedicated to supporting, promoting and disseminating diversity in the arts in Algeria.

Yasmina Reggad graduated with a degree in History from the Sorbonne University. She is an independent curator based in London, and works internationally. Her recent projects include Ce n’est pas du sang, c’est du rouge with Gohar Dashti and Shilpa Gupta (upcoming-2012) and Mitosis with Jonny Briggs (upcoming-2012), both for the White Project Gallery, Paris. She is also the Director and Founder of the non-profit organisation, Photo-Festivals, for which she initiated and presently curates the artist residencies, development and public programmes. Since January 2012, she is the Coordinator of /A.R.I.A./ Artist Residency, Algiers. Reggad is regularly called upon to participate in panel discussions and talks for organisations and galleries such as the National Photography Symposium, Cornerhouse in the UK and Casa Tomada in Brazil. She is a co-founder of Photo Forum Beirut, Lebanon and a member of the curatorial board of Paraty em Foco International Photo Festival, Brazil.

Artist Residency in Algeria (/A.R.I.A/) was founded by artist Zineb Sedira, starting its one-year pilot programme in 2012, hosting two guest artists-in-residence with the aim of building dialogues and creating an on-going dynamic network across diverse international art communities with Algeria. This programme provides opportunities for emerging and established artists from the Maghreb and beyond to conduct artistic and cultural research and production. /A.R.I.A/ hosts resident artists and connects them with local and regional networks to facilitate the development of ideas related to the Algerian context. This programme aspires to project a positive awareness and visibility of Algeria and its surroundings to global audiences.