Studio 8 Partners with Prince Claus Fund for Fertile Ground Project

Hadi Nahleh is the founder, curator, and artistic director of Studio 8 and the IDEA Festival, Hadi Nahleh has continuously sought to elevate Jordan’s artistic scene through innovation and collaboration. Studio 8’s latest venture, in partnership with the Prince Claus Fund, is part of the *Fertile Ground Project*, an initiative designed to connect emerging artists with a global network of cultural organizations and peers.

A Platform for Artistic Growth

The Fertile Ground Project focuses on nurturing emerging talents by embedding them in a wider cultural ecosystem. While financial support can kickstart an artist’s journey, sustainable career growth requires deeper connections and ongoing opportunities. This project provides such opportunities by offering artists residencies, workshops, and platforms to showcase their work, all within an international context.

Residencies in Amman

As part of this collaboration, Studio 8 hosted its first residency in Amman, featuring artists Mehdi Dahkan from Morocco, Soly Volna from the Czech Republic, and Ladji Kone from Burkina Faso. These artists engaged in creative exchanges, shared their expertise, and developed new works that reflect the diverse cultures they represent.

In November 2024, Studio 8 will host another residency under the *Remal Lab*. The selected artists include:

– Rubén Elías Barrios Rodríguez – Photographer and visual artist (Colombia)
– Jinxiao Zhou – Visual artist and researcher (China)
– Adrian Aroko – Sound and visual artist (Mexico)
– Verónica Navas – Visual artist (Costa Rica)
– Hashim Nasor Hashim Hamza – Self-taught photographer (Sudan)
– Maya Ponce – Performer, visual artist, and director of experimental dance (Ecuador)
– Red – Moving-image artist and independent art producer (Vietnam)
– Yvan King Mukunzi – Multidisciplinary artist (Rwanda)

These residencies are designed to provide a safe, inclusive space for these artists to collaborate, innovate, and create groundbreaking works. The exchange of ideas and practices among these diverse talents will undoubtedly contribute to the cultural vibrancy of Jordan and the global arts community.

Building a Global Network

The Fertile Ground Project is more than just a residency program; it is a movement towards decentralizing the arts and nurturing a South-to-South cultural ecosystem. By investing directly in local infrastructures and supporting regional organizations, the Prince Claus Fund and its partners, like Studio 8, aim to build a more equitable future for artists worldwide.

In addition to the residencies, the Fertile Ground Project brings together global partners such as the Tbilisi Photo Festival, Conflictorium, Cemeti, DokuFest, and more. These organizations are at the forefront of creating sustainable arts ecosystems, and their collaboration with Studio 8 further enhances the project’s impact.

The Fertile Ground Project, partially supported by the Hawthornden Foundation, is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of fostering creativity across borders. Through initiatives like this, Studio 8 continues to solidify its role as a key player in the global arts scene, providing Jordanian and international artists with the tools they need to thrive.

Fertile Ground Project

Founded by: The Prince Claus Fund

Supported by: Hawthornden Foundation

Partners: Tblisi Photo Festival, Conflictorium, 32* East, Cemeti, CRIA, DokuFest, Furiaca, Libreria Mutante, O Menelick 2º Ato, PREE, Sister Library, Studio 8