Let us start by our name: “AiR” derives from “Art-in-Residence” and “351”, corresponds to the country´s locator. Therefore, AiR 351 is an international residency program located in Portugal.

AiR 351 is an independent, non-profit organization, a studio-based program, operating within the visual arts. By bringing together international and national artists, curators and other selected interlocutors, it opens up a space to share ideas and research, through confluence and dialogue, creating a sense of community.

AiR 351´s mission is to expand critical mass while furthering artistic projects and exchanges.

So far we have hosted more than 60 international artists and curators from over 25 countries. Gary Hill, Ellie Ga, Vittorio Santoro, Emily Wardill, Veit Stratmann, Ohan Breiding and Shoghig Halajian, Katarína Poliačiková, Thiago Honório, Cécile Bourne-Farrell and Mathilde Walker-Billaud are among our alumni.

AiR 351 builds up collaborations and regularly presents public programs at our headquarters and in other partnering venues. Our professional development program anchors itself on the thriving local art scene and stretches over an international network.

Our team provides daily curatorial and technical expertise, keeping track of the production of new works. Through institutional partnerships, AiR 351´s activities encompass a variety of contexts such as museums, art centers, universities and art schools.

AiR 351 works actively towards creating grant opportunities for artists and curators through partnering with sponsors and applying for public funding.

We rely on the expertise of an international Strategic Advisory Board, from a diversity of cultural backgrounds and also on the assistance of an external International Selection Committee.

AiR 351´s headquarters are located in a charismatic building, Escola Monumento D. Luiz I, a former primary school, which was fully renovated by the municipality for this purpose. There are six individual studios with independent access. Residents may also share common spaces such as a kitchen, a small library and the school yard. Here, spontaneous gatherings and planned meetings occur on a regular basis.

The quiet setting and the proximity to the ocean make it a privileged retreat to think and create while having an easy access to Lisbon, either by car or train (30-45 min away), which is 5 mins walking distance. In the surroundings there is a park (Parque Marechal Carmona), impressive cliffs in walking or biking distance (Guincho beach and Boca do Inferno), and a variety of nice places where to eat just around the corner.

Many times a residency at AiR 351 is just the beginning of a long term engagement with AiR 351 and with the local community that extends in manifold ramifications.

If you wish to learn more about us from different perspectives you can also read some of our residents´ Testimonials here.

Photos: @Nicholas Knight