Residency
Aqtushetii is located in the north east of Georgia within the Caucasus Mountain range. The residence is in the village of Omalo, Tusheti, which is circa 187 km from Tbilisi the capital.
AqTushetii is an artist colony and festival that fosters the arts, culture, history, and traditions of Tusheti while bringing together creatives from around the world to collaborate, work, and share knowledge. Individuals working in all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Each year, AqTushetii hosts residents from various backgrounds: visual and sound artists, musicians, dancers, philosophers, writers, anthropologists, scientists, and more.
Duration of residence:
Please note that a minimum 21 day-stay is prioritized, although we recommend one month.
Accommodation:
Capsule dormitories with shared bathroom and toilet.
Private rooms are also available in nearby hostels and guesthouses. Our team will be happy to assist you in finding and booking accommodation.
Catering:
A light breakfast and two large meals per day.
The residence includes the following spaces:
Four art studios, library, outdoor (undercover) working areas, photographic darkroom, professional astrophotography equipment, pottery wheel, raku kiln, wood-fired kiln, electric kiln, outdoor stage, professional sound system, 2 projectors, gallery space, sound recording studio [inc. microphones, Genelec monitors, sound card, electric piano, acoustic drum kit, mixer, organ, Georgian folk instruments, various percussion], a vinyl library of Georgian music, cassette dubbing deck, CDR burner, welding tools, woodworking tools, metal working tools, knitting machine, sewing machine, rug weaving looms.
Fees and support:
15 June - 15 November
Capsule dormitories – 50 Euros per day
If the participants stays in a nearby hotel/guesthouse and has their meals at aqtushetii and utilises our residence space then the cost will be 40 EUR per day.
Please also note that artist collectives and couples get a small discount – for more information inquire via e-mail.
Selected applicants will be required to pay the 30% deposit in advance.
Expectations towards the artist:
During their stay, each resident should make a presentation/exhibition/workshop on what they are researching/working on. A selection of artists and musicians will also have the opportunity to exhibit and perform live in our sister spaces in Tbilisi. Artists are encouraged to contribute to the permanent collection/archive of the residence with their work if and where possible.
Application information:
The applicants should send the following information to aqtushetii@gmail.com
Their portfolio and/or link to their work;
A short description of what they are planning to do while in Omalo;
The dates they wish to stay at the residence;
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or queries about our residence and its programs.
What you need to bring with you:
- Towels;
- Warm clothes (due to high altitude the temperature drops to 10 – 15 degrees at night);
- Comfortable footwear;
- Cash for your own needs – this is a remote village with no ATMs or card machines.
Please note that Tusheti is a remote region with only a couple of shops each village with limited supplies so we recommend that you buy some necessities in Tbilisi in advance.
The Road
The road to Tusheti from Tbilisi takes around 6 hours and the last 60 km is 4WD-only.
Getting To AqTushetii
To get to Omalo, please follow the following instructions:
First get to Kvemo Alvani village - this can be done by marshrutka (minibus) or a taxi.
There are two options of getting there:
- Marshrutka, which departs from Ortachala bus station in Tbilisi at 9:00 am and two hours later arrives at Kvemo Alvani.
- Shared taxi, which departs from Isani metro station.
- Once you get to Kvemo Alvani, local drivers usually approach the tourists and offer them to arrange the transport to Tusheti. If your driver doesn't, you will need to ask at the bus/minibus stop at Kvemo Alvani about which driver is departing to Tusheti next.
The trip usually takes 4 hours from Kvemo Alvani to Omalo.