AIR Projects is a premier international graduate level art residency program that offers unique contextualized networking opportunities for artists, designers and curators in Beijing, Brooklyn and Berlin, by providing them with direct access to influential artists, curators and institutions in their respective cultural contexts. The program was commenced in Summer 2011 and directed by James Elaine. 

The idea for AIR PROJECTS originated with John Silvis, James Elaine and Brent Dickinson to provide high-level graduate level cross-cultural experiences in the arts. Despite numerous international art fairs and vast amounts of global art revenue being exchanged, academia has been slow to design programs that prepare students for significant cross-cultural engagement in the art world. Many institutions offer a contained art tour experience, but do not connect significantly with the local art scenes or allow for relationship building in a cross-cultural context. Although similar to other residencies, such as Base Beijing or Gas Works London, AIR Projects is unique in its ability to share network knowledge of the international art world, which is essential to building an emerging artist career.  

AIR Projects’ course curriculum was designed to create an engaging in-depth understanding of contemporary art in Beijing, Brooklyn and Berlin with leading guest lecturers, experienced high profile faculty, and direct access to the most important culture makers. The curriculum offers the invaluable benefit of being critiqued by high profile art professionals in a fresh cultural milieu. The AIR Projects studios are strategically located in the most dynamic art centers of the world and feature beautiful spaces for group meetings, lectures and producing site-specific art works. The residency also provides students with valuable resources to further engage and develop life-long relationships with artists and institutions beyond the scope of the program.