Jiwar Creation & Society

Barcelona International Residence for Artists and Researchers in Urban Creativity

The concept of the project is inspired from the Arab tradition of Jiwar which literal translation is Neighbourhood. Jiwar refers to the art of establishing a creative and a sustainable relationship between neighbours. Beyond this immediate significance Jiwar conveys a philosophy of life that aims at neighbouring values and bridging experiences.

Priority is given to artistic and social projects that deal with intercultural and interdisciplinary issues. Jiwar is a creative residency focused on the themes of urban space, and so has a preference for artists and researchers investigating the many issues arising from life in the city and the relationships that occur there.  The Residency activities are open to the neighborhood. Artists are invited to share some of their work with Gràcia inhabitants through open air meetings, readings and workshops in the garden.

Jiwar offers different residency formats:

Individual residence: Jiwar hosts all over the year residents depending on availabilities. The candidates are selected on the base of their sumitted projects and CV. Jiwar supports the residents in carrying out their work and in organizing public events and activities.

Project Team Residence: Jiwar hosts groups of residents working on the same project. Priority is given to multicultural and multidisciplinary teams. Jiwar supports the team and organizes its public activity or event either within our facilities (garden or indoor studio) or within the facilities of a relevant partner in the city (theatre, cultural centre, radio studio, library, etc.)

Jiwar's own projects: have a look on Jiwar's website for projects that Jiwar develops directly and for which there might be specific open calls for residency.

Jiwar support actions:

• welcome session. The resident is invited to lunch or dinner whereby he meets Jiwar management and the possibly existing residents
• Jiwar keeps the resident informed about the artistic and cultural events in Barcelona depending on the area of activities and interests of the resident.
• we offer the resident to watch and participate to the cultural and popular celebrations of our district
• for residences of more than three weeks Jiwar invites the resident to organise an event whereby he or she can show and share his or her project to local audience and professionals: an open studio, performance, readings, exhibition, etc. Participatory workshops are highly recommended for specific audiences such as children, students, emigrants, disabled, etc.

The residency is an old familiar house built in 1886-1909 and classified Architectural Heritage of the City of Barcelona. The house is made of 180sqm apartment and a 650sqm garden. The apartment contains

• 3 individual rooms-studies (23sqm) one of them with private bathroom.
• 1 suite with private bathroom and private studio for artistic activities
• Atic with terrase for 3 or 4 people groups or artist with family (100sqm).
• An extra 12sqm separate space which serves as a workshop for artistic activities
• 3 shared bathrooms
• Fully equipped kitchen
• 3 shared spaces: 20sqm living room, 20sqm veranda with view on garden, library-meeting room and gallery.
• Garden: an ideal area for personal work and meditation as well as for outdoor activities (meetings, public readings, art expositions, unplugged concerts, etc.). Given that Barcelona has an excellent climate during most of the year, the garden is a very pleasant and useful place at all times.

Private studio. There are many areas in the apartment and the garden available for work.

• Office facilities are available: Internet Wifi, printer, photocopy and scan
• An extra 12sqm separate space that serves as workshop for artistic activities
• Equipment for building outdoor activities in the garden: video, light & sound, etc.

Located in Gràcia, one of the most attractive and dynamic districts of Barcelona, near of City center, its harbour and beaches. The Residency is at 5mn walk form metro station Fontana that carries to the city Center (10mn) and the harbour (15mn). Close also are Joanic metro station that carries to the city beaches (20mn), and suburb train Gràcia that drops to Collserola mountains and forests in less that 15mn.