RAIR
RAIR's mission is to challenge the perception of waste culture by providing a unique platform for artists at the intersection of art and industry. Situated inside a construction and demolition waste recycling company in northeast Philadelphia, RAIR offers artists studio space and access to more than 450 tons of materials per day.
RAIR’s flagship residency program is a unique opportunity for emerging, mid-career and established artists to work at the intersection of art, industry and sustainability. Situated inside a construction and demolition waste recycling company in northeast Philadelphia, RAIR offers artists studio space and access to more than 450 tons of materials per day. Artists-in-residence receive attentive support from RAIR's staff who act as liaisons between the artist and the recycling facility. In addition to providing artists on-site access to recovered materials, construction equipment and a fully-equipped studio space, RAIR’s Residency Program offers artists the opportunity to use the entire 3.5 acre facility as an expansive project space for the development and presentation of ambitious experimental work.
By facilitating artists’ direct engagement with the waste stream, RAIR encourages residents to consider their studio practice through the lens of sustainability and to thoughtfully re-asses their processes of material sourcing and waste disposal.
Two types of Residencies: Biggie Shortie and Standard.
The Standard Residency is a longer, more traditional studio based program. Standard residents are given access to waste materials and a studio and project space. The Standard Residency runs between March-November for 4-6 weeks.
The Biggie Shortie is a shorter, project based residency. Residents create a big project in a short amount of time. The flexible nature of Biggie Shorties allow for projects to be customized to fit each residency. The Biggie Shortie runs between March-November for 2-4 weekends.
Anyone can apply to both types of residencies. Recent residents include Alexander Rosenberg, Trash Academy, Karyn Olivier, Saar Shemesh, Eugenio Salas, Anamaya Farthing-Kohl and Nathalie Wuerth, Sonya Blesofsky, Levester Williams, Pablo Rasgado, Tory Fair, Rosa Nussbaum, Ang Li and Dave Hardy.
In addition to providing artists on-site access to recovered materials, construction equipment and a fully-equipped studio space, RAIR’s Residency Program offers artists the opportunity to use the entire 3.5 acre facility as an expansive project space for the development and presentation of ambitious experimental work.
RAIR provides studio space, as well as, the opportunity to work with the entire 3.5 acre facility as an expansive project space.
Residents work alongside RAIR staff, who act as liaisons between the artist and the recycling facility.