Welcome cards

This project was born within the framework of “PUZLP – artists in exile in art schools,” which brings together Belgian art schools (ESA Saint-Luc Bruxelles, l’ERG), l’Association Nationale des Écoles supérieures d’Art françaises (ANdÉA) and the agency of artists in exile (aa-e), with the support of the Erasmus+ program of the European Union.

A transnational reflection on the issues surrounding residencies organized in art schools has led to identifying key points of attention and creating a welcoming tool designed as a deck of cards.

The proposed tool synthesizes recommendations and “best practices ” that can be adjusted according to the artist’s situation, the context, and each school’s possibilities. It stems from the desire for mutual enrichment between schools and artists in exile.

These “welcome cards” are based on discussions with PUZLP partners, art schools, and the actors of the Belgian project “Exil et création,” as well as dialogues with artists in exile hosted in art schools. A first residency prototype carried out in 2020 at the ESAAA in Annecy with members of the aa-e contributed to adapting the Pause program, led by the Collège de France, to suit artists. Since then, half of the French art and design schools have hosted or are hosting dozens of artists in exile from all backgrounds for residencies focused on research, creation, or teaching.

Musicians, performers, dancers, painters, sculptors, photographers, directors, set designers, filmmakers… coming from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Kurdistan, Lebanon, Palestine, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Russia, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine… The world circulates, moves, and meets in art schools, and these “welcome cards” are here to help and support.

www.welcome-cards.aa-e.org